“Do you know what you are doing?” he asked. “Do you know that quitting your ship in the face of action is worse than cowardice? That it is desertion?”
Frank was taken aback.
“I—I——” he stammered.
Lord Hastings saw that he had made a point, and pressed it.
“Mr. Chadwick!” he exclaimed. “Frank! You are trying to desert!”
Frank took a step forward.
“Desert!” he muttered huskily. “No, I won’t desert!”
He turned on his heel, and, without another word, rushed headlong to his cabin, where he threw himself down on his bed.
As Frank made his way to his cabin, Jack wiped beads of perspiration from his brow, as he muttered to Lord Hastings:
“I was afraid he would not come to his senses. I was afraid I should have to use force, and Frank is not one to give up without a fight. I am just as greatly alarmed at Miss Beulow’s predicament as he is, but I know my duty.”