"Gracious, no. But if it's important I can tell him to hurry up."
"I wish you would; there's a chance that we can get back the naval code if you do."
"I'll tell him that, and he'll be dressed and down in record time," cried Ned, running off.
Jack waited to tell his adventures till they were all at breakfast. Then Billy and Ned had to tell their stories.
"Well, you boys certainly have your share of adventures," remarked the Senator, "but the most important thing now is to secure the apprehension of those rascals without delay. We had better call up the steamship company at Baltimore and find out if anyone called Jenkins or Thompson, I think those are the aliases they gave at the tenement house, are among the passengers."
This was done at once, but to the intense chagrin of all concerned, the telephone company had seized that early hour of the day to repair some wires which had been knocked down in a thunderstorm near Baltimore the night before. It was impossible to communicate with that city till some hours later.
"We might telegraph," suggested Jack.
"Yes, I'll call a messenger at once. But I doubt even then that we'll be in time," said the Senator.
The telegram was sent, but before a reply came they were able to use the telephone.
"Hullo, is this the Italian-American steamship Company?—all right—are three passengers, two men and a boy, booked on the Southern Star as Jenkins and Thompson,—they are,—good, this is Senator Rivers talking, from Washington,—those men are criminals,—they have robbed the government of valuable documents—summon the police and have them arrested and held—I'll take full responsibility—WHAT!—The Southern Star sailed two hours ago!"