Jack got up willingly enough, then. But Don, as soon as he had recovered some of his crumpled dignity, held out one hand imperiously.
"Give me that envelope you just took from my pocket," he commanded.
"Oh, will I?" rejoined Benson. "Ask Mr. Farnum for it."
"Hold onto that envelope, Jack," commanded the boatbuilder.
Jack Benson thrust it into his inner coat pocket, next firmly buttoning the front of his coat. Don made a move forward, as though to prevent, but drew back sullenly when he caught the flash of the submarine captain's steady eyes.
"Did young Benson take anything from your pockets?" demanded George
Melville, stiffly.
"Yes, that envelope that he has just buttoned up in his own coat," said
Don, sulkily.
"Return that to my son, at once," insisted the capitalist.
Jack, this time, did not even honor the command so far as to admit having heard it.
Broughton Emerson, deeply puzzled, had left group to go over to Mr.
Farnum and the strange boy in blue.