The inventor was in a good deal of pain, yet cheerful.  The surgeons reported that his broken bones were healing slowly.

The chauffeur, too, was coming along as well as was possible, though he had been much worse hurt than had the inventor.

Grant Andrews and his workmen were aboard the “Benson.”  Half of the party was now prepared to come aboard the “Hastings” whenever called.

“Going ashore, Jack?” inquired Eph Somers.

“Not before Mr. Farnum returns.  Nor do I believe any of us had better go ashore, without his express permission, old fellow,” Benson replied.

Three gentlemen who did go ashore almost immediately after arrival were the members of the naval board.

Soon after, an order came for the removal of all torpedoes from the Rhinds boats.  After that the corporal’s guard was relieved from duty aboard the “Thor.”

“And thus ends that chapter of the story, I reckon,” grimly ventured Jack, when he saw the gunboat’s cutter convey the corporal’s guard away from the Rhinds submarine.

Jacob Farnum came back in the early evening.  Lieutenant Danvers was ashore, which left only the regular crew of the “Hastings” on board.  Grant Andrews and his men mounted guard over the two Pollard boats through the night, which left the captain and crew free to sleep—­which they did with a royal good will.

No orders came over from the naval board, which fact made it look as though no new tests would be required immediately.

The next forenoon, at about ten o’clock, Eph discovered that the Seawold boat was leaving her moorings.  Young Somers watched that lesser rival start down the bay before he dropped below to report the fact to Benson.

“What can it mean?” wondered the young captain, going hastily on deck.  “Is the Seawold craft going into some test that we’re not asked to meet?”

“If so,” ventured Hal Hastings, “why isn’t one of the gunboats putting out to sea with her.”

“Here’s Lieutenant Danvers coming off shore,” announced Somers.  “Perhaps he’ll have some news.”

Danvers boarded the “Hastings,” but the shore boat waited alongside.

“I’m not going to stay.  Just dropped alongside for a moment,” explained Danvers.

“I thought maybe you were coming on board so that we could go out on some test,” suggested Captain Jack.

“There are to be no tests to-day,” replied Danvers.

“Then what’s that craft of the Seawold Company doing down the bay by herself?” Benson inquired.

“By Jove, she’s going to have company, too,” declared Eph.  “There goes the Blackson boat out.”

“And, probably, you’ll soon see the Griffith and Day craft get under way,” smiled Lieutenant Danvers.

“What does it mean?” insisted Captain Jack.

“That’s the news,” replied the naval officer.

Jack waited, somewhat open-mouthed.