re of that, for here is the admiral's dock."

CHAPTER FORTY.

AT THE ADMIRAL'S.

It was with no little trepidation that Hilary entered the room where the
admiral was waiting Captain Charteris' return, and as soon as he saw
that he came with a young companion, the handsome grey-haired old
gentleman came forward and shook hands with Hilary warmly.

"I'm glad to see you," he said. "If you have passed Captain Charteris's
test I know that we have another officer in the service of whom we may
well feel proud. At the same time, Mr Leigh, I think we ought to beg
your pardon."

Hilary hardly knew whether he was upon his head or his heels that
evening, and it was like a revelation to find how genial and pleasant
the reputed stern and uncompromising port-admiral could be. There was
an excellent dinner, political matters were strictly tabooed, and the
two officers talked a good deal aside. No further allusion was made to
the _Kestrel_ till it was time to go on board, a fact of which Hilary
reminded the admiral.

"To be sure, yes. Keep to your time, Mr Leigh. By the way, before you
go will you tell me in a frank gentlemanly spirit what you think of
Lieutenant Lipscombe."

"No, sir, I can't," said Hilary bluntly.

The admiral looked angry on receiving so flat a refusal, but he calmed
down directly.

Then, recollecting himself, Hilary exclaimed, "I beg your pardon, sir; I
hope you will not ask me. I would rather not say."

"Quite right, Mr Leigh; I ought not to have asked you, for you are not
the proper person to speak, but you will tell me this, I suppose," he
added with a smile. "You will not be sorry to hear that Lieutenant
Lipscombe will be appointed to another vessel."

"I am both sorry and glad, sir," replied Hilary, "for he is a brave
officer, even if he is eccentric."

"Eccentric!" said Captain Charteris. "I think he is half mad."

"But you do not ask who will be your new commander!"

"No, sir," said Hilary; "I shall try and do my best whoever he may be."

"Good!" said the admiral; "but I'll tell you all the same--shall I?" he
said laughing.

"Yes, sir, I should be glad to know," replied Hilary.

The old admiral stood looking at him attentively for a few moments, and
then said quietly:

"You."

Hilary half staggered back in his surprise.

"Me? me, sir? Do you mean that I shall be appointed to the command of
the _Kestrel_? I have not passed my examination for lieutenant yet."

"No, but