"By Jove! We are glad to see you, sir," said Frank, "although we did not expect you so soon."
"I started sooner than I had expected," laughed Lord Hastings, for such
Mr. Hamilton proved to be. "Have you found out the lay of the land?"
"Yes, sir," replied Jack, and explained briefly. He produced a long sheet of paper, which he passed to Lord Hastings.
"What's this?" demanded the latter.
"Deck plan, sir," said Jack quietly. "I obtained it from Captain
Koenig, sir, though he doesn't know it."
"Very good," said Lord Hastings, and examined it carefully.
Jack put a finger to the paper.
"There," he pointed out, "is the second deck. In here are the prisoners of the Algonquin and the Gloucester. In the compartment below are perhaps two hundred other prisoners. Abaft this compartment is the strong room in which are the small arms and ammunition. Lieutenant Blum carries the keys. In there, too, are hundreds of rifles."
"Very well," said Lord Hastings, and briefly sketched a plan of action. Then he added:
"This work must be done promptly and there must be no slip. A slip means failure. Now follow the instructions I give you."