have aroused suspicions and there is no telling what
would have happened."

"I see, sir," said Frank. "But you almost lost us when you didn't get
back in time."

"I know that now. I wouldn't do the same thing again."

"And what are you going to do after you return to London, sir?" Frank
wanted to know.

Again Lord Hastings smiled.

"That's hard to tell," he replied. "Still, I imagine it will not be
very long before I feel a deck under my heels again."

"You mean you will leave the diplomatic service again, sir?" asked
Jack.

"I expect to. The king promised me a new command before he despatched
me to the Balkans. But I do not know how long I shall be kept waiting."

"And when you get it, sir, will we go back with you?" asked Frank.

"Why," was the reply, "I should have thought that by this time you
would perhaps have changed your minds."

"Never, sir," declared Jack, positively. "We would rather serve under
you, sir."

"I'll see what can be done," Lord Hastings promised.

And with that the lads were forced to be content. Still, they knew well
enough that Lord Hastings would do what he could to have them with him
again.

"The main thing now," said Lord Hastings, "is to dodge the enemy and
get back to England."

"With you here, sir," said Frank, "I am sure we shall get back safely."

And Frank proved a good prophet.

All that day they made their way slowly through the North Sea. Several
times enemy ships were sighted, but, because the little motor boat lay
so low in the water, the Germans did not see them.

With the coming of night, however, Lord Hastings increased the speed of
the little craft. He felt that they were now beyond the German mine
fields and that if another vessel were encountered it probably would be
British.

And this proved to be the case.

Along toward morning of the second day, a British cruiser bore down on
them. Soon all were aboard the vessel, which, when Lord Hastings
informed the commander of the nature of the papers he carried, turned
about and headed for London.

A day or two later, Frank and Jack again found themselves installed in
the comfortable home of Lord Hastings, where they sat down to await
what time might bring forth--confident, however, that it would not be
long before they were upon active service under the command of their
good friend, Lord Hastings.

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY ALLIES AT JUTLAND***

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