"You mean, sir," replied Jack with a smile, "that I haven't sailed with you that long for nothing."
"That's more like it, Jack," put in Frank laughingly. "I've learned a few things from Lord Hastings myself."
"It is hardly probable," continued Lord Hastings, "that your promotion has been unearned, Jack. No, I believe you can fill the bill."
"In that case, I shall be glad to take command of the Plymouth temporarily, sir."
"And how about me?" Frank wanted to know. "Where do I come in, sir?"
"Why," said Lord Hastings, "I have no doubt it can be arranged so you can go along as first officer. I understand the first officer of the Plymouth is also under the weather."
"But isn't all this a bit irregular, sir?" Jack asked.
"Very much so," was Lord Hastings' reply. "At the same time, many precedents are being broken every day, and I can see no reason why two British officers cannot lend their services to an ally if they are asked to do so."
"It is a little different with me, sir," said Frank. I'm an American."
"All the same," said Lord Hastings, "you're a British naval officer, no matter what your nativity."