Some of the more daring of the
ladies have besought me to arrange for a few of them to have a trip
on board, even to running beneath the surface. Will you do that, for a
party of our friends, to-morrow afternoon?"
"We've been a good deal beset by spies lately as you have means of
knowing," replied Mr. Farnum, slowly. "You'll guarantee all of the
guests, of course."
"As a naval officer I wouldn't bring anyone aboard here whom I doubted,"
replied the lieutenant commander, flushing.
"I didn't mean to be offensive, Mr. Kimball. But I have as great a
reason as Uncle Sam can have for wanting to preserve the secrets of
this boat from all but sworn officers and men of the Navy. You and I
are one in that desire, Mr. Kimball, so we'll gladly take out any party,
ladies included, that you bring on board."
"Thank you," answered Kimball. "And I can assure you that I shall be
very careful in making up my party. Oh, but won't there be fluttering
hearts at Spruce Beach tonight And I'm more than half afraid that I
shall make an enemy of every lady of my acquaintance whom I have to
leave out of the affair. How many, guests can you take, Mr. Farnum?"
"Not above fourteen, all told," replied the shipbuilder.
"Then I shall go ashore myself this evening, to deliver my invitations.
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