I was sorely tempted to ask what business all this was of his, but I held my tongue, and we went on deck together. The fog-bank was all about us. The Bat was nowhere to be seen. I could not help showing my impatience. A gun was fired, and then another, and a third, but there was no response.
All eyes were upon me, and in the group of officers I noticed an old man in civilian's dress. He was a distinguished-looking figure, and I overheard some one address him as Mr. Middleton.
"Middleton?" I repeated to myself. "Where have I heard that name before?" I could not place it, but somehow it had staid in my recollection.
"What's the explanation of this, Mr. Hurdiss?" asked Captain Mallet, folding his arms and stepping in front of me.
"That's more than I can tell you," I replied.
As I spoke there came the sound of a shot off to windward.
"There's my vessel," I replied. "Might I ask you to set me on board of her, or shall I consider myself under arrest, sir?"
"You shall consider yourself ordered on board your vessel, with instructions to report to your superior at Dublin at once, to whom you will give this letter."
Scarcely had the boatswain finished shrilling the call for the cutter when the old gentleman in citizen's dress spoke up.
"As Dublin is my destination, Sir John, would it be possible for us to be transferred to this young gentleman's vessel? It would save us much time and trouble."