"Well, that's different," said Jack. "I——"
"Well, let's talk about something cheerful," said Lord Hastings. "Germans or anything like that."
And so the conversation was changed.
When the two weeks had come to an end Lord Hastings proceeded to get back in harness immediately.
"I've been here long enough," he told the boys. "Back to The Hawk again now."
And back to The Hawk they went that day.
Aboard The Hawk Lord Hastings made a careful inspection and then left the lads, while he held an interview with the British commanding officer in charge of the motorboat flotilla. When he returned he had a smile on his face.
"Good news," he said, as he came aboard.
"What, sir?" asked Frank.
"Action to-night, sir?" demanded Jack.