When all had visited the boat, and had sunk with her, Jacob Farnum took
the party in carriages to his home, where luncheon was served. The
boatbuilder, by the use of all his tact, kept the party together until
it was time, to drive them to the railway station and see them aboard
the train.
In this way, he prevented any of his visitors from falling into the hands
of the Melville people. Consequently, when the next day's papers
appeared there was much in them about the wonderful work done by Captain
Jack Benson in a "Pollard" submarine, but there was not even as much as
a mention of the fact that any rival submarine boatyard existed in
Dunhaven.
"That is one long march stolen on the Melville foes," laughed Jacob
Farnum to Benson. "It has been a splendid bit of business, Jack, and
you boys have helped it all through in great fashion. To-day, we have
the satisfaction of knowing that people all through the country are
talking about the 'Pollard.'"
"That fellow Benson is being a lot talked about to-day," declared Mr.
Melville, after scanning two or three of the morning papers.
"Humph! Let him be talked about," returned Don, with a lowering scowl.
"I suppose he's pretty conceited to-day, but it won't be long before I'll
have it fixed so that his pride shall go down lower than ever the
'Pollard' could sink."
"Will you use our submarine boat to do it?" inquired the elder Melville,
with a meaning smile.
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