"I beg your pardon, sir?" replied Cardyke's well-known voice.
CHAPTER XXIV
THE COCKED HAT
To say that Lieutenant Douglas Drake was flabbergasted would not do justice to the state of his mind. In the very hour of his triumph, when the credit of recapturing the stolen cruiser seemed absolutely assured, the fruits of victory were snatched from his grasp by a midshipman. It was humiliating, but Drake was a true sportsman, and, stifling his feelings of disappointment, was genuinely hearty in his congratulations to his junior.
"Where's Fielding?" he asked, as soon as Cardyke had briefly explained the situation.
"Down below. He's had a nasty time of it, sir; but he's doing wonderfully well."
"I'll go and see him. By the bye, we knocked over a couple of fellows just now. Who were they?"
"A couple of watchmen from the tug Hekla," replied the mid. "It's rough luck on them. I stationed them to keep an eye on the prisoners. They can't speak English, so they're wondering what has happened?"
"I'll see that they are released," replied Drake. "Now I'll go below and pay Fielding a visit. I mustn't stop long, or the Cerberus will be getting anxious. We'll report you by wireless, and stand by till daybreak, if you wish."