"He will be off watch in an hour, sir."
"Let Lieutenant Totten go ashore to carry my written instructions to Ensign Darrin. I will enclose the necessary funds in an envelope with my instructions. Totten, on his return to the ship, will be able to assure me that the communication reached Ensign Darrin safely, and that Darrin, after reading my instructions, which will be brief, tore up and burned my letter."
"Shall I send Runkle ashore in uniform or in citizen's dress?" asked Captain Allen.
"In citizen's clothes, as before," replied Admiral Timworth. "I will call my flag lieutenant. Kindly see that the paymaster is sent to me, Captain."
Fifteen minutes later the Admiral's letter of instruction had been signed, and a substantial amount of money enclosed.
On coming off deck duty at eight bells, midnight, Lieutenant Totten was instructed to order a launch alongside. Then, with the bulky envelope in an inner pocket, and accompanied by Seaman Runkle, Totten went over the side.
A few minutes later the launch delivered them at the mole, then glided out into the bay.
"I hope we shan't run into a gang of hoodlums again," said the sailorman respectfully.
"I have my revolver with me," smiled the lieutenant. "The Italian police would feel grateful if I sank its six bullets into six bravos of Naples."