"Not so bad," replied the "old man", "until they found I had an Admiralty certificate for sinking a U-boat. Blew her to bits at fifty yards. Not a doubt about it; there was oil enough to spread over a couple of hundred yards."
"And when did that occur?" asked Fordyce.
The master of the Talisman gave the date.
"The swine tore up my certificate," he added bitterly. "I suppose the Admiralty will give me a duplicate?"
"I should imagine so," replied Fordyce. "Excuse me, but time is precious. I must ask instructions from my commanding officer."
The Hon. Derek, upon being informed of the state of affairs, ordered Fordyce and four seaman to remain on board the prize.
"We'll stand by you," he added. "I suppose there's enough coal left in her bunkers to carry her home?"
"I'll enquire, sir. By the by, her master has or had a certificate presented him by the Admiralty for having fired at us. Luckily he missed."
"You didn't enlighten him, I hope?" asked the Hon. Derek anxiously.
"Oh no, sir!"