"Hallo, boys!" came his quick, cheery greeting. "I was just about to send for you."
"Any word," queried Jack, good-humoredly, "as to when that cold-molasses naval officer is going to be here!"
From within the office sounded a light laugh.
"You'll see him shortly," grinned Mr. Farnum. "But come in, boys."
As the three submarine boys entered the office, in a group, their glances fell upon two men, in the uniform of United States sailors, standing at ease near the door. In a chair near Mr. Farnum's desk sat a third man, dressed in ordinary citizen attire. He was a man of about twenty-eight, dark, smooth-faced, slender of figure, yet broad-shouldered.
"Lieutenant Danvers," called Mr. Farnum, smiling broadly, "I want to present my submarine boys to you. First of all, Jack Benson, our young captain."
Realizing that his question had been overheard, Jack went forward with a very red face, holding out his hand. With a quiet smile, Lieutenant Frank Danvers, U.S. Navy, took the boy's hand. Then Hal and Eph were presented.
"I see that I was mistaken about the molasses," laughed Jack.
"Nothing as sweet as all that about the Navy, eh?" smiled Mr. Danvers. "However, my delay in getting here was due entirely to delay in official orders. I am now on the ground, however, and ready for prompt—"
At this moment the outer door shot open with a bang. Hal looked out into the corridor to see what had caused the disturbance.