"Then it's no use fighting."
"Fight all the same!" whispered Guild, as they both turned to meet the young naval officer who had just stepped aboard. He and the Dutch captain exchanged civilities stiffly, then Guild stepped forward into the lantern light.
"Kervyn Guild!" exclaimed the slim young officer in surprise. "Is it you!"
"Jamison!" ejaculated Guild, astonished. "Well this is lucky! I'm tremendously glad! I am indeed!"
They exchanged a warm impulsive hand-clasp, smiled at each other—then the quick smile on the youthful lieutenant's features altered, and his face fell.
"Guild," he said soberly, "I am afraid I shall have to inconvenience you and—your wife. I'm afraid I shall have to ask you to come aboard the Wyvern with me. I'm sorry; I know it must inconvenience you fearfully——"
"Jamison! We can't go aboard your ship! What on earth are you thinking of?"
"Orders," returned the young fellow gravely. "I've no discretion, you see."
As by common consent they had stepped aside from the group of ships' officers and, standing in the shadow of a lifeboat, they now gazed at each other very seriously.
Guild said: "There must be some mistake about this. I have no wife on board this boat."