e with you, sir," declared Jack.

"And I, sir," said Frank.

"It is possible," said Lord Hastings, "that should I take the matter up
with the King or with the war ministry I might get action; but that would
take time, and I want this message delivered at the earliest possible
moment. Should I entrust it to the cables, under the circumstances, there
is nothing certain of its arrival."

"I see, sir," said Jack. "Then you may be sure that I shall deliver the
message personally to Secretary Daniels."

"It is well," said Lord Hastings. "I knew I could depend upon you boys."

"Always, sir," replied Jack simply.

"Then be off with you," said Lord Hastings, rising. "You can go aboard
your ship to-night. Here is the message I wish delivered to the American
secretary of the navy," and he passed a second paper to Jack. "The
admiralty message you are to take will probably reach you some time in the
morning, together with your sailing orders."

Lord Hastings extended his hand.

"Good-bye and good luck," he said.

Jack and Frank shook hands with him and took their departure.

"I'll be glad to get back to America if only for a short time," said
Frank, as they walked toward the water front.

"I won't mind another look at the United States myself," Jack declared.
"It looks like a pretty good country to me, from what I saw of it last
trip. Almost as good as England, I guess."

"Almost?" repeated Frank. "Say, let me tell you something. The United
States is the greatest country under the sun and don't you forget it. You
Johnny Bulls seem to think that England is the only spot on the map."

"Well," returned Jack with a smile, "it strikes me that you boast
considerably about your own land."

Frank's face reddened a trifle.

"Maybe I do," he admitted, "but it's worth it."

"So is England," said Jack quietly.

"By George! So it is, Jack," said Frank. "Maybe it is a fact that I talk
too much sometimes."

"No 'maybes' about it," declared Jack. "It's just a plain fact."

"Look here," said Frank, somewhat nettled, "you may be my boss aboard
ship, but right now, with no witnesses present to hear what I say, I'll
say what I like."

"Come, come, now," said Jack with a smile, "don't get all out of humor
just because I joke you a little bit."

Frank grinned.

"Well, then don't always thinks I'm angry just because I make a hot
reply," he said.

Jack let it go at that.

"Well, here we are at the water front," he said a few