“The fact is,” continued Lieutenant Danvers, “such tests as we have already had have been sufficient to eliminate four of the six contestants for the favor of the Navy Department.  This morning Captain Magowan, as president of the board, received a telegram from the Navy Department to the effect that four of the submarine types had been outclassed.  The contest now lies between the Rhinds and the Pollard boats.”

“We’ve beaten the Rhinds boats, too,” muttered Jack.

“Yes; though not by such large margins as to rule the Rhinds boats out of all consideration,” replied Lieutenant Danvers.

“So the Rhinds boat is to be our rival in future tests—­our only rival?” cried Jack, eagerly.

“Yes, and—­not speaking as an official, Mr. Benson—­I very much incline to the belief that you can go on beating any one of the three Rhinds submarines with either of the pair that you have here.  But the point is that the national government may prefer to have two types of boats.  It begins to look, as far as indications can point, as though the Secretary of the Navy has some idea of ordering some Pollard boats for the Navy, and also some Rhinds boats.”

“I wonder if the Secretary of the Navy has heard anything about the nasty way in which the Rhinds outfit tried to sink us at sea day before yesterday?” muttered Captain Jack, half savagely.

“I imagine some word of the kind has gone on to the Navy Department,” replied Danvers, “I really don’t know though.”

“That nasty trick ought to be enough to bar the Rhinds boats,” grumbled Captain Benson.

“But, you see, my dear fellow, there’s just one trouble,” answered the naval officer.  “Think whatever you may please about the guilt of Rhinds, or of Radwin, or some one under them, but where’s the proof.  On search the ‘Thor’ was found to have the full number of torpedoes issued to her.  Now, government departments must be guided by evidence.”

“Humph!” sighed Jack.  “As things have turned out, I’d sooner beat the Rhinds crowd than all the other submarine crowds together.”

“I hope you do,” rejoined the Lieutenant.  “However, my belief is that the government will order some of your company’s boats, and some of the Rhinds craft.  About the only question, really, is who gets the larger order—­and how much larger.”

Jacob Farnum had come from his stateroom, and had listened to this talk in silence.

“How do you feel about it, Mr. Farnum?” asked the naval officer.

“I shall have to be satisfied with whatever share of the business my company can secure, of course,” replied the shipbuilder.  “Yet we know, and so does everyone, that we have proved the Pollard type of boat to be better than its nearest rival.”

“Well, success to you all, and the largest measure of it possible!” wished Lieutenant Danvers, rising and shaking hands warmly all around.  “For my part, I’d like to see you get orders, at once, for fifty boats, leaving all your rivals out in the cold.  And now I must go on over to the ‘Oakland.’”