"Had we better charter something and go in chase?" wondered Hal.
"What's the use?" demanded one of the fishermen. "The 'Juanita' is four miles or more out to sea, by this time, and the night's dark you couldn't see her. And there's no craft hereabouts fast enough to catch the 'Juanita.'"
"Besides," whispered Jack, in his chum's ear, "we have no power to overhaul a craft at sea."
So, making the best of the situation, the submarine boys hired a driver, horse and wagon at the village, and started on their return to town.
CHAPTER XI
FACING THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Jack was the first to enter Lieutenant Ridder's room at the hotel. The young engineer officer jumped up out of his chair, looking somewhat angry.
"Look here, Benson," expostulated the lieutenant, "what sort of way is this to use me? Here I've been loafing about here for hours, and you haven't sent or brought me word of any kind. You—"
"We've brought you something better," smiled Jack Benson, throwing the door further open. "Here is Millard, himself."
Millard came in, a policeman at his side, for the submarine boys had hailed the first policeman they met inside the city limits, and had explained to him.