Farnum's office, carrying a valise and a brief case
and announced that he was going away for a time where he could not be
reached to rest and study and think.
It was the third day after this that Jack, wishing to see Mr. Farnum in
regard to some supplies for the "Pollard," went to his office.
"He's not been here since three o'clock yesterday," said his stenographer.
"Out of town?" asked Jack.
"I wish I knew."
Jack called up Mr. Farnum's house and got his wife on the telephone. To
his question she replied:
"I got a note last night not to worry if he was late getting home. But
he has not come in yet," and her voice had a catch in it.
Jack and his chums were greatly worried. Had Melville played some trick
on the boatbuilder?
"I'm going ashore," said Eph the next morning, as soon as he had eaten
his breakfast in the submarine cabin.
"For anything especial?" asked Jack.
"First, I want to know if anything's yet known of Mr. Farnum. Then, you
know that Don Melville's in town. Why? His father's left and all the
pounding workmen at his fake yard are gone, too. Something needs
explaining."
"He's trying to find out whom he can bribe into saying we set fire to
the yard," said Hal bitterly.
"Oh, on second thought Melville would conclude that would be too risky
to do," observed Jack.
"Maybe--maybe not. I'm going over to look about and listen.
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