"Have me called at ten o'clock, unless a reply from the Navy Department should arrive earlier. In that case have me called at once."
The flag lieutenant is the personal aide of the fleet commander.
If the Admiral received an interesting reply from the Navy Department during the voyage to Naples, he at least concealed the fact from Ensigns Darrin and Dalzell. Ensigns, however, are quite accustomed to reserve on the part of admirals.
It was one o'clock one sunny afternoon when the "Hudson" entered the Bay of Naples. Her anchorage having already been assigned by wireless by the port authorities at Naples, the "Hudson" came to anchor close to the "Kennebec" and "Lowell" of the Mediterranean Fleet. Admiral Timworth now had three war vessels under his own eyes.
At four bells (two o'clock) an orderly called at Dan's and Dave's quarters, with orders to report to the Admiral at once.
When the two young ensigns reached the Admiral's quarters they found Lieutenant Simpson there also.
"Be seated, gentlemen," directed the Admiral.
For a few moments Admiral Timworth shuffled papers on his desk, glancing briefly at some of them.
"Now, gentlemen," said the Admiral, wheeling about in his chair and looking impressively at Darrin and Dalzell, "it seems to me I had better preface my remarks by giving you some idea of the Fleet's unusual and special mission in the Mediterranean. That may lead you to a better comprehension of why a certain foreign power should wish to create, between Great Britain and the United States, a situation that would probably call for war between the two greatest nations of the world."