After he had heard the story of the extraordinary battle in mid-air he rose to go.
"By the way," he said, "you'll be pleased to hear that you have been recommended for the V.C. And, by Jove, I'll say this, you've earned it!"
But it was reserved for Mike Cassidy to bring to the invalid a newspaper containing the official notice that the Victoria Cross had actually been conferred upon Flight-Lieutenant Lawless.
"'Tis meself that's afther wishing ye miny happy returns av the day, sorr," he said.
CHAPTER II
THE DERELICT
The destruction of the Zeppelin, apart from the dramatic circumstances attendant upon it, naturally created a great sensation, particularly in Scotland, it being the first enemy airship ever brought down north of the Tweed. Lawless was, of course, the hero of the moment, and the illustrated papers overflowed with photographs of him taken before and after the great air duel: in hospital, convalescent, eating, drinking, sleeping, in uniform and out of uniform. Hitherto forgotten episodes in his naval career were raked up and presented to an eagerly absorbent public, which refused to read, discuss or hear about anything but Flight-Lieutenant Lawless and his combat with the Zeppelin. He was the most talked of man in the world for nearly a week.
"It's simply been beastly sickening," remarked Lawless. "I'm fed up."
His old ship, the Knat, had put into Leith, and Sub-Lieutenant Trent had seized the opportunity to visit his old commander in the hospital.