“I know it is, if you offer it, Mr. Farnum,” Jack Benson replied, with feeling.

“Then you’ll accept, and take your very heart’s-wish—­the Navy—­all of you?” asked Mr. Farnum.

“I accept both your offer, Mr. Farnum, and, the greater offer of the Secretary of the Navy,” replied Jack, his eyes becoming misty.

“I accept,” murmured Hal.

“So do I,” from Eph.

“Then, sir,” declared Jacob Farnum, turning to the Secretary of the Navy, “the Flag is richer by three magnificent young followers!”

* * * * * * * * * *

Here we must leave the submarine boys for the present, for these events happened hardly later than yesterday, and there are no new adventures yet to chronicle.

Donald Graves—­Millard—­received a severe sentence in the penitentiary.  He is still serving the sentence, of course.  Gray, his accomplice, who attempted to spirit the drawings outside of the United States, is now likewise serving a term.

The trial was a swift, nearly secret one.  Daisy Huston was not dragged into the case at all.  In one respect the trial failed.  Neither culprit could be forced to tell for which foreign government the dastardly work had been attempted.  The “Spitfire” returned to Dunhaven, and was later sold to the government, with several other boats.  Williamson became the new Pollard captain.

Several foreign governments were deeply disappointed over not being able to secure the services of the submarine boys.

But Jack, Hal and Eph could be happy nowhere except under their own Flag.

They are now accepted most cordially by all their brother officers, young and old, in the United States Navy.

For the most part, so far, the duties of our young officers have been aboard the different boats purchased from the Pollard Company.  Yet, for the sake of practice and change, they have been, at times, detailed aboard other classes of craft in the Navy.

We shall now encounter our young acting naval officers in one of their new fields of special work, in the next volume of this series, which is published under the title:  “The Submarine Boys And the Smugglers; Or, Breaking Up the New Jersey Customs Frauds.”  Here we shall find our talented lads engaged in doing some of their finest work for Uncle Sam’s Government, and under circumstances that will delight every reader.