Frank was on his feet and clapping his hands.
"Fine!" he exclaimed. "I don't see why it hasn't been done sooner. I remember what Hobson did to the Spanish fleet at Santiago in the Spanish-American war."
"It's an exploit of the same nature," Lord Hastings admitted, "though it will be attended with even greater danger. If successful, as I say, it will do inestimable good. The admiralty has been training specially for this move for months, but the matter has now come to a head."
"And how does it happen that we shall be fortunate enough to lend a hand?" asked Jack.
"My fault, I suppose," returned Lord Hastings. "Admiral Keyes, the day after your departure, was bemoaning the fact that one ship had been taken away from him at the last moment. I said that if Captain Templeton and the Brigadier were here, you could easily replace the other vessel. The admiral was of the opinion that you had not had the necessary training. I said you didn't need it. Apparently he was convinced, for the next I heard you had been recalled to Dover. Thus, through talking too much, I balked my own plans."
"Perhaps," said Frank, "it won't be too late for the other when the harbors of Ostend and Zeebrugge have been sealed."
"But perhaps you won't come back," said Lord Hastings.
"Oh, we'll be back, never fear," grinned Jack. "But what are we to do now?"
"You will report to Admiral Keyes aboard the Warwick at once. If you return safely, report to me. Good-bye and good luck."
The lads shook hands with Lord Hastings and left him.