"Want me to go along?"
"No, I want you to remain here and take charge of that model, which is in the storeroom at my boarding-house. If I telegraph to you, you come on with the model, at once."
So it was agreed, and that night saw Oscar Pelham whirling toward the capital at the rate of eighty-five miles an hour, on what was known as the Congressional Limited.
This train was a great favorite with politicians and on the cars Oscar met many men who had known his father.
One in particular, Senator Forbish, from New York, became interested in the young inventor, and asked him why he was making the trip.
"Going to try for a position in the navy, to follow in the footsteps of your father?" he questioned.
"Yes and no," answered Oscar. "I will enter the navy if they will allow me to do so in my own way."
"Then you are particular. Perhaps you wish the command of a ship." And the senator smiled pleasantly.
"I do wish the command of a ship—but the ship must be of my own designing."
Senator Forbish could readily see that Oscar was not joking, and he asked the young man to explain himself, which Oscar did readily, for he knew the senator was a power, both in military and in naval circles.