“Frank is right, sir,” agreed Jack. “It would indeed be a catastrophe.”
“It would be a catastrophe for me if I were to lose you,” said Lord Hastings very quietly.
As the days passed the injuries of both lads healed rapidly. At the end of a week both were feeling perfectly fit and each expressed his earnest desire to put to sea again.
“Not until you are absolutely fit,” was Lord Hastings’ decision. “You must remember that we face a dangerous task passing through the Kiel Canal on the way home and I want you both to be absolutely in ship-shape before I attempt it.”
“We’ve gone through three times now,” said Jack quietly. “I guess we can manage it once more.”
“And going back,” said Lord Hastings, “we shall go as we came this last time—with no stops and no thought of engaging a single one of the enemy.”
“But, sir——” began Frank.
“There are no ‘buts’ in this case,” declared Lord Hastings with finality. “I’m the commander of the D-17, and what I say goes, if I have to put you both in irons to keep you quiet.”
When Lord Hastings took this tone, both lads knew there was no use of arguing the matter; and while both felt they would like to strike another blow at the German fleet on their homeward journey, they were forced to accept Lord Hastings’ dictum.