"To whom are we to report, sir?" ventured Ned.
Commander Dunham smiled and exchanged glances with the departmental visitor.
"You will report to yourselves. That is, you will be in command of the Seneca."
Even Ned's sense of discipline deserted him at this announcement.
"In—in command? I—I'm afraid, sir, I——"
"I said in command. Practically every commissioned officer in the service will be on other and more important duties. We have, therefore, secured for you temporary commissions, enduring, of course, only during your period of attachment to the Seneca. She is a small boat of not very modern design, but I shall expect to see you perform some important work with her. She is equipped with wireless, of course, and the fact that both of you understand wireless and the naval code has been another inducement to give you this big chance. You will each get a copy of the special code to be used in the war game when you join the ship."
"Then we—we are officers?" stuttered Herc, unable to keep silent any longer. As for Ned, outwardly cool and collected, his glowing eyes showed what he thought.
"Officers temporarily," was the reply. "Here are your commissions."
From his desk Commander Dunham took the two documents which to the Dreadnought Boys appeared the most wonderful things they had ever set eyes on.
Handing one to Ned, the commander then spoke some words that sent the boy soaring up into the seventh heaven of delight.