At 2 o'clock in the afternoon the ambassador called for them. They were driven at once to the War and Navy department building on Pennsylvania avenue and were ushered almost immediately to the offices of Secretary Daniels. After a wait of perhaps five minutes, Mr. Daniels' private secretary announced.
"Mr. Daniels will see you now."
The three passed into the secretary's private office, where the British ambassador introduced the lads. Secretary Daniels expressed his pleasure at the meeting, then said:
"And now what can I do for you, gentlemen?"
For answer Jack passed over the papers entrusted him by the Admiralty. Secretary Daniels scanned them briefly.
"These matters shall be attended to, gentlemen," he said. "Now, is there anything else?"
"There is, sir," said Jack, "and a matter probably of much greater importance."
He drew from his pocket the documents given him by Lord Hastings, and these he also passed to Secretary Daniels. The latter read them carefully, his face drawn into a scowl.
"Hm-m-m," he said at last. "Hm-m-m."
He grew silent, apparently lost in thought. At last he spoke.