"No; I know it," was the dry rejoinder. "There's a way, in the Navy, of swinging a searchlight; a way that no merchantman or yachtsman has ever yet caught."
As yet the vessel behind the searchlight was not visible. Indeed, if she were painted the dark gray color of the Navy craft, it would be some time yet before her hull could show plainly at night.
Commander Ennerling used his glasses for some moments.
"Shall I answer with our searchlight, sir?" inquired the submarine boy.
"No, no, thank you. I'm more interested in seeing how close we can get to that vessel, since she belongs to the Navy, before she succeeds in picking us up with her light. It's of great practical value to know just how close we can get to that other vessel, undiscovered, in the night time."
"How close would you like to get to her?" inquired young Benson, a smile playing about the corners of his mouth.
"Humph! I'd like to tie up to the other craft," muttered the Naval officer.
"Well," propounded Jack, "what's to prevent us from doing it?"
"Several things. The watch that's kept aboard a Naval vessel under way, for one thing."
"I'll try the trick, sir, if you'll stand for it."