we'll drive to my tailor's--you want a
new gang of rigging put over your mast-head badly, my boy, and then
we'll go home and you shall rest a bit. I have a few friends coming to
dinner this evening; but you need not join us if you do not feel equal
to it, you know."

The "new gang of rigging" was duly ordered, and faithfully promised for
next day at noon--Sir Peregrine insisting upon its being charged to his
account--and then we returned to Saint James's Square.

With the dinner-hour my uncle's guests arrived, some twenty in number;
and, as I rather fancied the dear old gentleman would be glad if I were
present, I put in an appearance. My suspicions were no doubt well
founded, as it turned out that one of the guests was no less a personage
than my new acquaintance of the morning--the great Sir James himself.
The old boy was a good deal less taut in the backstays than he had been
in the morning, giving me his whole hand to shake on this occasion.
During dinner he addressed himself to me several times, putting
questions to me with reference to our recent operations in Corsica--that
happening to be one of the topics of conversation; and after the meal
was over he invited me to haul alongside, and chatted with me quite half
an hour upon the same subject. Later on in the evening I happened to
overhear him remark to my uncle,--

"Like your nephew, Portfire--am much pleased with him--promising young
officer--very--smart and intelligent--seems steady too--shall keep my
eye on him."

Which, of course, was very gratifying.

I drove to the office next day at noon, Sir Peregrine accompanying me,
but this time he remained in his carriage while I went inside. My
despatch-box was handed back to me, together with written orders--which
were read over to me--to proceed without delay to Malta, there to hand
over the contents of the said box to Lord Hood. In the event of his
lordship not being there, I was to search for and find him.

"Well, Ralph, what news?" asked my uncle, as I rejoined him.

"I must leave you at once, dear sir," I replied. "I have orders to sail
forthwith for Malta, with these despatches. I had hoped they would have
given me time to run down home, if only for a few hours; but all that is
quite knocked on the head. As it is, I shall not be able to enjoy above
another hour of your society, uncle, for I must start for Portsmouth
without a moment's delay."

"Ah!" remarked Sir Peregrine, "I anticipated this