In another twinkling he was over. It was not until his feet touched the deck that the slight noise caught the marine sentry's ear, causing him to wheel about.
"Halt!" hailed the marine, throwing his gun to port. "What are you doing there?"
"I've a message for your commanding officer," Jack answered, halting with a click of his heels as he brought them together.
"Where did you come from?" demanded the marine, wonderingly.
"Are you the commanding officer?" questioned Jack. "If not, take me to him."
"Corporal of the guard!" bawled the marine.
Almost in a jiffy the corporal was there.
"Corporal," said Jack, crisply, "I've a message, in writing, and an official message, too, for your commanding officer."
"I'll take it to him, then," said the corporal. "Or shall I conduct you to his quarters?"
"You may take it to him," agreed Jack, holding out the folded paper.