can. Where are you attached?"

"I 'm with the torpedo flotilla at present," said Armitage. "By the
way, Miss Wellington, that reminds me of my request for liberty
to-night. The boats are going out and--and--it's rather important I go
with them. I shall be back before midnight."

"Oh!" Sara's exclamation was so sharp and eager that both Jack and
Anne started.

"I have it!" She leaned forward eagerly as both turned to her. "I
know. We 'll make him take us out with the boats to-night. Can you
imagine anything more thrilling? I have never been on a naval vessel
in my life--and they 'll shoot torpedoes. Night attack, Port Arthur,
and all that sort of thing, don't you know."

Anne was quite carried away.

"Good! Oh, that would be--" She stopped short as a sudden thought
came to her. "Do you suppose--" she said slowly, "that you could, Mr.
Armitage? I should love the experience. But perhaps--"

"Nonsense," interrupted Sara. "Of course he can take us. Did n't we
see that crowd of women on one of the torpedo boats at the King's Cup
race?"

"That boat was not in commission," said Jack. "You might be
court-martialled if the commanding officer of the flotilla saw you."
He spoke lightly, but running clearly through his mind was the
uncompromising phraseology of Article 250 of the Navy Regulations:
"Officers commanding fleets, divisions, or ships shall not permit women
to reside on board of, or take passage in, any ship of the Navy in
commission for sea service." Violation of this meant court-martial and
perhaps dismissal from the service. And yet Sara's proposition
thrilled him potently. He could not deny his eagerness to do as the
young women wished. To have Anne at his side for long hours on a
footing of equality! As he looked at her now with her lips parted, her
eyes blazing with interest, her cheeks flushed, the penalty of
disobeying that odious Article 250 seemed, at worst, slight. Besides,
the _D'Estang_ was assigned to him for special service to do with her
as he saw fit. There might be a loophole there.

Anne, who had been pondering his words, looked up.

"If you are thinking only of us, I should n't mind one bit. I should
love dearly to go. I have often seen the torpedo boats from my windows
and wished to be on one of them. They look so black and venomous!"

"All right. I'll take you." Armitage looked at them with serious
face. "There may be some danger. It is n't yachting, you k