"That's hard to tell," he replied. "Still, I imagine it will not be very long before I feel a deck under my heels again."
"You mean you will leave the diplomatic service again, sir?" asked
Jack.
"I expect to. The king promised me a new command before he despatched me to the Balkans. But I do not know how long I shall be kept waiting."
"And when you get it, sir, will we go back with you?" asked Frank.
"Why," was the reply, "I should have thought that by this time you would perhaps have changed your minds."
"Never, sir," declared Jack, positively. "We would rather serve under you, sir."
"I'll see what can be done," Lord Hastings promised.
And with that the lads were forced to be content. Still, they knew well enough that Lord Hastings would do what he could to have them with him again.
"The main thing now," said Lord Hastings, "is to dodge the enemy and get back to England."
"With you here, sir," said Frank, "I am sure we shall get back safely."