"Come along, Maynebrace," exclaimed the Commander-in-Chief irritably. "It's six bells already."
"Coxswain! Coxswain! Where in the name of thunder is my coxswain?" shouted Rear-Admiral Maynebrace.
"Here, sir!" exclaimed that worthy, saluting.
"Has the Lieutenant-Governor arrived yet, coxswain?"
"Yes, sir. The police at the Main Gate have just telephoned through to say that Sir John Ambrose has arrived, sir, but being rather late proceeded straight to the jetty."
"And kept us kicking our heels here," grumbled Sir Peter Garboard, the Commander-in-Chief. "Look alive, Maynebrace, or----"
At that moment a flag-lieutenant, red in the face and well-nigh breathless with running, dashed up the steps of the portico of the Admiralty House.
"Sir!" he exclaimed. "Sir, this message has just come through."
Sir Peter took the proffered envelope, fumbled with the flap with his flabby fingers, and at last untied the Gordian knot by tearing off one edge.
"Good heavens, Maynebrace!" he gasped. "Read this!"