CHAPTER XI
FACING THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Jack was the first to enter Lieutenant Ridder's room at the hotel. Theyoung engineer officer jumped up out of his chair, looking somewhatangry.
"Look here, Benson," expostulated the lieutenant, "what sort of way isthis to use me? Here I've been loafing about here for hours, and youhaven't sent or brought me word of any kind. You--"
"We've brought you something better," smiled Jack Benson, throwing thedoor further open. "Here is Millard, himself."
Millard came in, a policeman at his side, for the submarine boys hadhailed the first policeman they met inside the city limits, and hadexplained to him.
"This man is wanted as a United States prisoner, is he, sir?" inquiredthe policeman.
"Yes, if his name is Millard," replied Lieutenant Ridder.
"Oh, this is Millard, all right," confirmed Jack Benson.
"Then shall I leave the fellow with you, sir?" inquired the policeman.
"Yes, of course; and thank you."
"You'll give me a receipt for the fellow, as a United States prisoner?"hinted the policeman.
"As a United States suspect," corrected Lieutenant Ridder, going to atable on which were writing materials. The policeman was handed thedesired document, then withdrew. Then Ridder went to a telephone,calling up Major Woodruff.
"The major will be here in about ten minutes," announced Ridder, hangingup the receiver. "In the meantime we will do no talking in the presenceof this suspect."
It was just a little less than ten minutes later when Major Woodruff,accompanied by a corporal and two private soldiers, entered the room.
Millard was at once taken away, under guard.
Then the boys told their stories, quickly, comprehensively.
"I'll have to get a clear wire all the way through to Washington,"declared Major Woodruff, promptly, going to the telephone. In a minutemore he had arranged matters, and hurried to the table to write hisdespatch. Ere the major had finished writing a messenger boy was atthe door.
"Boy, you'll find my automobile at the hotel entrance," stated MajorWoodruff. "Give this card to my chauffeur, and he'll take you on thejump to the telegraph office. Then come back in the automobile, andwait for more work."
"Do you expect anyone in Washington to get that message now, after teno'clock at night?" Jack asked, wonderingly.
"To-night?" repeated Major Woodruff. "Yes, sir! You haven't much idea,I take it, Mr. Benson, how fast government business travels. Withinfive minutes the first part of my message will be ticking out on areceiver in the War Department. The Army officer in charge will getthe Secretary of War over the telephone. Why, my answer will verylikely be here inside of twenty minutes!"
It was thirty minutes, exactly, when a messenger placed a telegram inMajor Woodruff's hands. As soon as the messenger had gone outside,the major read this telegram.
_"Keep prisoner Millard close confinement pending further orders.Have communicated Secretary of Navy. Latter official says sea chaseshall be made to catch fellow Gray on 'Juanita.' If submarine boyswill accept sea service, briefly, for Navy Department, have them cometo-night's train and report Secretary Navy at nine to-morrow morning.Their expenses borne by government." (Signed) "Secretary of War."_
"What does that mean, sir," cried Jack Benson, rising, "about _if_ wewill accept sea service, and reporting in the morning to the Secretaryof the Navy at Washington?"
"Why, I belong to the Army," replied Major Woodruff, hauling out hiswatch, "and this is a Navy matter. However, since one of you youngstersknows Gray by sight, and you're all of you familiar with this business,I imagine the Secretary of the Navy wants to put you out to sea on oneof the country's gunboats, to aid in the chase. For any realinformation, however, you'll have to apply in person to the Secretaryof the Navy himself. Are you going to Washington?"
"Are we going--" Jack started to repeat, with mild irony, when aknock at the door interrupted him. Major Woodruff opened the door,to receive another telegram.
"Washington wakes up quickly," he laughed. "Here you are, Mr. Benson--adespatch from our other fighting department at the Nation's capital."
Clearing his throat, Major Woodruff read:
_"Send description of schooner 'Juanita,' and of suspect, Gray, asmentioned in your telegram Secretary War. Are submarine boys leavingto-night to report in morning? Secretary of Navy."_
"Here you are, and you see you've got to make up your minds quickly,"said the major. "The night train south for Washington leaves in alittle more than an hour from now."
"Why, there's only one answer possible, sir," cried Captain Jack Benson,his eyes shining. "Of course we'll take to-night's train and report tothe Secretary of the Navy in the morning. When it's for the Flag Idon't even have to consult my comrades, or look their way. I knowtheir answer as well as I know my own."
"Good enough, young man," applauded Major Woodruff, while LieutenantRidder gave Jack a hearty slap across the shoulders. "But, to go tothe Navy Department, you'll want citizen's clothes--not your presentuniforms, which are not official. I can send my auto to your boat, andyou can be back here in forty minutes, if you dress quickly."
"Ready for the word, 'forward,' sir," responded Captain Jack, saluting.Hal and Eph also raised their hands to their foreheads.
It was a swift trip, with some hurried dressing on board the "Spitfire,"but Major Woodruff landed them at the railway station ten minutes aheadof train time.
"Good fortune, gentlemen," wished Major Woodruff, pressing the hand ofeach when the train was ready. "Don't be scared when you findyourselves face to face with so big a man as the Secretary."
It is not to be wondered at if the minds of all were in a bit of a whirlas they made for their berths in a sleeping-car.
"After all," muttered Jack, to himself, as he undressed in his berth,"it's strange how some fellows get the cream of things. Here we getthe trip to Washington, while Lieutenant Ridder will have only the funof going out to the cliff above Cobtown to-morrow to have a look atwhat is left of Millard's mine."
Their train brought the submarine boys into Washington just before sevenin the morning. There was time for a good breakfast. Then, beingstrangers at the national capital, the youngsters engaged a cab to takethem to the imposing building that shelters the State, War and NavyDepartments.
Jack Benson sent in his card. Five minutes later the three submarineboys were ushered into the presence of the Secretary of the Navy.