"Hurry and pack your things," was Jack's reply. "I'll explain as we work."
It was the work of only a few minutes for the lads to gather their belongings and dump them in their handbags. Then they hurried downstairs, where they paid their bill and learned that they could catch a train to Richmond within the hour.
"Going after the submarines?" asked the night clerk.
"Yes," replied Jack shortly.
"Good! I hope you get 'em. Here's your taxi."
The lads jumped into the taxi and were driven to the station, where they caught their train with time to spare.
It lacked two hours of daylight when they arrived in Richmond. They took a taxi across town to the Chesapeake and Ohio station, where they caught a train for Newport News an hour later. At eight o'clock they were in Newport News, and fifteen minutes later stepped aboard the Essex.
"Glad to see you back, sir," said Lieutenant Hetherton, who held the deck. "I suppose you've heard——"
"Pipe all hands to quarters, Mr. Hetherton," Jack interrupted sharply, "and clear ship for action. We sail within the hour."
Lieutenant Hetherton hurried away.