"I have wasted time enough here," he told the lads. "I must get on the trail of the Emden at once."
The lads were given quarters corresponding to the ones they had had on the old Sylph. The vessel was built along the same lines as the Sylph I, and had been fitted out just as luxuriously and comfortably. It was, in times of peace, well adapted for a pleasure yacht.
The Sylph II carried a goodly array of fighting material, however, and a crew of 150 men.
It was while dining that night that Lord Hastings gave the boys the surprise of their lives.
"I presume you know," he said quietly, "that as the two surviving officers of the Sylph, you now move into the vacancies left by the death of my first and second officer?"
"What!" exclaimed both lads in the greatest surprise.
"Oh, you heard me," replied Lord Hastings. "But which of you is to be which?"
"But how about your present officers?" demanded Jack.
"They will understand when I explain to them," replied Lord
Hastings. "Now, which is to be my first officer?"
"Jack, sir," said Frank.