“In that event,” replied the officer, “I must place you under arrest.”
Lord Hastings smiled sardonically.
“Which would be quite a task,” he said. “Remember, you are aboard my ship now, and if I choose, I can have you thrown into the sea. However, as there seems to be some misunderstanding, I am ready to accompany you aboard your ship, where I shall explain matters to your commander.”
The officer could but be satisfied with this.
“Very well,” he said.
Lord Hastings turned to Jack.
“You shall go with me,” he said. “Frank, you remain here.”
He stepped into the boat and Jack and the Russian officer followed him. The boat put off toward the Russian cruiser.
Aboard the cruiser Lord Hastings was at once ushered into the presence of the Russian commander, Captain Bergoff. To him he told the same story he had related to his officer.
“Then how did you get in the Baltic Sea?” asked the Russian officer.