Many were the questions that the naval officer put to the victims of the night’s mishap.

“Well, gentlemen,” Mr. Mayhew said at last, rising, “your story is strange.  Yet, I believe you are young men of honor.  I’m sorry we have not in custody the men who sailed that sloop.”

“Pardon me, sir!” burst out Eph.

“Well, Mr. Somers?”

“Perhaps, sir, if you should question Truax you could learn something from him.  I tell you, sir, there’s a scheme to ruin Jack Benson; and that’s only part of a bigger plot to discredit our company with the Navy!”

Mr. Mayhew, looking thoughtful, replied: 

“I’ll find some way of questioning Truax.  And now, Mr. Benson, since you and Mr. Hastings are not fit to instruct the cadets to-day, I’ll send out sections under Lieutenant Halpin on board the ‘Pollard’ only.  To-morrow you should be in shape to resume your duties.  Meanwhile, I must make one condition.”

“It will not be necessary, sir, to make any conditions with us,” Jack replied.  “Your instructions will be sufficient.”

“While you are on this present tour of duty, I shall ask Mr. Benson and Mr. Hastings not to leave the ‘Farnum’ without my consent.”

As soon as Mr. Mayhew had left the “Farnum” Eph Somers cried bitterly: 

“You heard the verdict in the case!  A great verdict!  Not guilty—­but don’t do it again!”

At half past eight the next morning a section of cadets, under the command of Ensign Trahern, came aboard the “Farnum.”

“The lieutenant commander sends word, with his compliments,” reported Trahern, “that after leaving the bay the formation will be as usual.  The signal to halt and be ready for the tour of instruction will be given when we’re about ten miles off shore.”

Six of the cadets, of the engineer division, went below to the engine room.  To one of the ten left on deck Jack turned and said: 

“You will take charge, Mr. Surles.  Assume all the responsibilities of the officer of the deck.”

In all, five of the midshipmen had commanded briefly before the laying-to signal was given.  Hal Hastings then appeared on deck.

“Captain Benson,” Hal stated, saluting, “I have inspected all the submerging machinery, and I find everything in good order.  We can go below the surface at any time.”

“Thank you, Mr. Hastings.  All below!” ordered Jack crisply.

After the cadets and the ensign had filed below, Jack, having seen that all was in order, followed.  He made all fast in the conning tower, then called Midshipman Surles up the stairway to the tower wheel.

“Do you think you can head due east and keep to that course under water, Mr. Surles?”

“Yes, sir.”

Going down to the cabin floor, Jack ordered two more midshipmen to the tower as observers.

“The rest crowd about me and ask questions while I handle the submerging machinery.”