As they watched, and chaffed Rawlins about the dinner he had to "stand" the Lamp-post at the Club, the messenger-boy from the "wireless" room brought aft the usual morning "Wireless Press News".
"Beg pardon, sir, but there's something about you this morning," he said, coming up to the Orphan.
"About me! What d'you mean?"
"There, sir," and the messenger-boy pointed to the end of the last page.
They all crowded round the Orphan, who read: "The following additional Naval honours appeared in last night's Gazette", and at the end of the list came—and the Orphan's head buzzed—"Distinguished Service Cross—Midshipman Vincent Orpen".
For a minute he wondered whether it was possible that there could be another midshipman of the same name; but whilst the others thumped him on the back and congratulated him, another messenger came flying down from the bridge: "The Captain wants you, sir, at once."
Not knowing whether he was on his head or his heels, the Orphan flew up to the fore bridge.
Captain Macfarlane smiled at him and tugged his beard.
"Is it really true, sir?"
"I imagine so; I sent your name in."