Have communicated Secretary of Navy. Latter official says sea chase
shall be made to catch fellow Gray on 'Juanita.' If submarine boys
will accept sea service, briefly, for Navy Department, have them come
to-night's train and report Secretary Navy at nine to-morrow morning.
Their expenses borne by government." (Signed) "Secretary of War."_
"What does that mean, sir," cried Jack Benson, rising, "about _if_ we
will accept sea service, and reporting in the morning to the Secretary
of the Navy at Washington?"
"Why, I belong to the Army," replied Major Woodruff, hauling out his
watch, "and this is a Navy matter. However, since one of you youngsters
knows Gray by sight, and you're all of you familiar with this business,
I imagine the Secretary of the Navy wants to put you out to sea on one
of the country's gunboats, to aid in the chase. For any real
information, however, you'll have to apply in person to the Secretary
of the Navy himself. Are you going to Washington?"
"Are we going--" Jack started to repeat, with mild irony, when a
knock at the door interrupted him. Major Woodruff opened the door,
to receive another telegram.
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