"Here is a letter of introduction from Senator Forbish," continued Oscar, with a quiet smile.
The face of the clerk immediately changed color.
"Oh—er—of course that makes a difference, Mr. Pelham. I will take your card and the letter to the secretary at once."
The clerk dove through a swinging door and was gone the best part of ten minutes.
"Secretary Short will see you at half-past three," he announced. "Be on time if you want to make sure of your interview, and boil your business down."
"I'll be on time, never fear."
Promptly at half-past three Oscar was admitted to the private office of the Secretary of the United States navy.
It was a large apartment, handsomely fitted up, and on the walls hung numerous charts of our coast defenses and pictures of war vessels. In one corner rested several models of ships, including one of the ill-fated Holland X.
"Well, young man, what can I do for you?" asked the secretary, as he motioned the young inventor to a chair.
"Secretary Short, you can give me the opportunity to destroy some of the foreign warships which are battling against us," answered Oscar.