"Can you lend me a 'wireless' man? I could take on the pilot's job."
"Our man's knocked out," said the skipper.
"That's done it!" exclaimed the Sub. "There's a particularly tough battery that I wanted to see knocked out. No. 5 was almost on it when we got it hot."
Ross was thinking rapidly and deeply. He knew the Morse code well. He had dabbled in wireless telegraphy at school. Perhaps——
He felt that it was almost too impertinent to offer his services, yet the matter was urgent. It was dangerous, too, most dangerous; but the midshipman had learnt to place duty before personal consideration.
"Well?" asked Captain Syllenger as Trefusis stepped up and saluted smartly.
"I'll go if I can be of any assistance, sir," said Ross. "I can Morse and use a buzzer, and I have a knowledge of wireless."
"Carry on, then," replied Captain Syllenger.
"Good man!" exclaimed the Flight-Sub-lieutenant. "Can you stick heights?"
"I've done a lot of cliff climbing—I am a Cornishman, you know," said Trefusis. "I haven't had a chance of flying before."