"What am I to enter in the log, sir?" asked Mr. Francis, the first lieutenant.
"There's an old-fashioned word for it," said Captain Hadow grimly.
"Had it been my brother it couldn't have hurt me more," said Mr. Francis.
"Everybody loved that boy."
"It will break his father's heart, sir."
"A deserter, by God!"
"He had everything in the world," said Francis, in the tone of a man who himself had fought hard for every step. "He had influence, money of his own, brains, a splendid professional future, everything!"
"All thrown away like that," said Captain Hadow, with a gesture of his hand.
"And the handsomest fellow I believe I ever saw," said Mr. Francis.
"The pick of the basket," agreed Hadow.