or her first voyage. In addition to John Dene and his
second-in-command, she would carry Commander Ryles, who had a
distinguished record in submarine warfare. He would represent the
Admiralty. John Dene had experienced some difficulty at the Admiralty
over the personnel of the _Destroyer's_ crew; but he had stood
resolutely to his guns, and the Authorities had capitulated. This was
largely due to Sir Bridgman North's wise counsels.

"When," he remarked, "I have to choose between giving John Dene his
head and being gingered-up, I prefer the first. It's infinitely less
painful."

Sir Lyster had been inclined to expostulate with his colleague upon the
manner in which he gave way to John Dene's demands. Sir Lyster felt
that the dignity of his office was being undermined by the blunt-spoken
Canadian.

"Do you not think," he had remarked in the early days of the descent of
John Dene upon the Admiralty, "that it would be better for us to stand
up to Mr. Dene? I think the effect would be salutary."

"For us, undoubtedly," Sir Bridgman had said drily. "Personally I
object to being gingered-up. Look at poor Blair. There you see the
results of the process. He ceased to be an Imperialist within
twenty-four hours of John Dene's coming upon the scene. Now he goes
about with a hunted look in his eyes, and a prayer in his heart that he
may get through the day without being gingered-up by the unspeakable
John Dene."

"I really think I shall have to speak to Mr. Dene about----" Sir Lyster
had begun.

"Take my advice and don't," was the retort. "Blair and John Dene
represent two epochs: Blair is the British Empire that was, John Dene
is the British Empire that is to be. It's like one of Nelson's old
three-deckers against a super-dreadnought, and Blair ain't the
dreadnought."

"He is certainly a remarkable man," Sir Lyster had admitted
conventionally, referring to John Dene.

"He's more than that, Grayne," said Sir Bridgman, "he's the first
genus-patriot produced by the British Empire, possibly by the world,"
he added drily, proceeding to light a cigarette. "Think of it," he
added half to himself, "he could have got literally millions for his
invention from any of the big naval powers; yet he chooses to give it
to us for nothing, and what's more he's not out for honours. Ginger or
no ginger, John Dene's a man worth meeting, Grayne, on my soul he is."

Blake and Quinton seated themselves one on either side of the