Dan did not forget the injunction to keep on smiling. He proved so excellent an actor that he laughed heartily as Dave Darrin finished his few but thrilling words.
"Tiresome here, isn't it?" murmured Dan, aloud. "We might as well go back on board ship."
CHAPTER VII
THE ADMIRAL UNLOADS HIS MIND
Reporting their coming aboard to the officer of the deck, Dave and Dan hastened to their respective quarters.
While Ensign Dalzell performed a "lightning change" from "cits" to uniform, Dave first seated himself at his desk, where he wrote a note hurriedly.
This done, he passed the word for an orderly, who promptly appeared.
"Take this note to the Captain," ordered Darrin.
"Aye, aye, sir," said the messenger.