"Now, Mr. Glover, what can I do for you?" he asked shortly.
"Well, sir, I hardly know the course of procedure, but as I want to start with despatches for London in a quarter of an hour I shall be glad to be able to hand over the ship I command, or, if it cannot be taken over in that summary way, to know whether my first officer is to retain charge of her until I can return from town."
"And what is the vessel that you have the honour to command, sir?" Captain Painton said with a slight smile.
"The Spartane frigate, a prize mounting thirty-six guns, that entered the harbour a quarter of an hour ago."
The captain had an idea that this was an ill-timed joke on the part of the young lieutenant.
"Do you wish me to understand, sir," he said sternly, "that you are in command of that prize?"
"That certainly, sir, is what I wish you to understand. I have brought her home from Jamaica, and have the honour to hold the appointment of acting commander. There, you see, are the official despatches of which I am the bearer, addressed to the Admiralty, and with the words 'In charge of Acting Commander Glover.'"
"And your officers, sir?" suppressing with difficulty an explosion of wrath at what he considered a fresh sign that the service was going to the dogs.
"The first officer is Lieutenant Winton, the second Lieutenant Plumber."
"Very well, sir, I will go off myself at once. I will detain you no longer."