CHAPTER XXVI.
BY ORDER OF THE KING.
Alice Beulow had been the first to see Frank as he jumped over the rail of the Alto. As he rushed toward her captors she had sent up a fervent prayer of thanks. Various emotions were depicted in her face as the lad struggled with the traitor who had almost succeeded in lying her life away.
When the sailor had brought his rifle to bear on the lad, and the girl saw him pull the trigger, her strong will had finally given way, and she fell fainting to the deck. She was revived at length and carried to her cabin, still under arrest.
Frank also had been arrested by command of Captain Johnson, and confined. Half an hour later, however, the commander ordered him brought to his cabin, and had the lad relate the full story of Lieutenant Taylor’s treachery and the details of the first British naval victory off Helgoland.
“I am inclined to believe your story,” said the captain, when Frank had concluded. “I am now going aboard the Sylph to pay my respects to Lord Hastings, and you and Miss Beulow shall accompany me. You will consider yourself under arrest, however, until I have seen Lord Hastings.”
Half an hour later the three were ushered into Lord Hastings’ cabin aboard the Sylph, where the little scout cruiser’s commander lay propped up in bed.
A few words sufficed to clear up the situation so far as Captain Johnson was concerned, and then the latter took Frank by the hand.
“You are a gallant lad,” he said, “and I am proud to know you. My prophecy is that you will not long remain a midshipman.”
Frank thanked the commander of the Alto, and, at a nod from Lord Hastings, which indicated that the latter desired to be alone with Captain Johnson, Frank and Alice Beulow made their way to the deck.
Outside the captain’s cabin they ran into Jack, who had been eagerly waiting to learn what all the trouble was about. Alice soon explained the situation to him, and then Jack did a dance of enthusiasm about the deck.