The suspected vessel is to be searched,
and Gray and the documents, if found, are to be seized, and the schooner
then released. Do you understand?"
"Perfectly, sir." Jack answered quietly.
"One of you young men will know Gray at a glance. The other two are
familiar with the whole case. Otherwise, it would not have been
necessary to have called you into this matter. Yet, to overhaul a
vessel, or to make an arrest or a seizure, you require authority. Such
authority can be vested only in naval officers. Hence, for the present,
it will be necessary to give all three of you appointments as officers
in the United States Navy."
At this announcement Jack Benson lost, for the moment, some of his
cool composure.
"Officers of the Navy, sir!" he gasped, but his eyes glowed at the mere
thought.
"You will be officers only temporarily," returned the Secretary. "You
are not of age, any of you, I take it."
"We are all just about the same age, sir--seventeen, nearly eighteen,"
Jack replied.
"Just so. Now, none of you could legally bold officers' commissions,
except by a special act of Congress. However, with the approval of the
President, it is legal for me to give you special, temporary appointments
under which you have the title, rank, pay and command of officers.
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