Ship Brigadier," Frank called back.

"I'm coming aboard you," said the voice from the darkness. "Lower a
ladder."

Frank gave the necessary command. A few moments later a man attired in the
uniform of a British captain came over the side. He approached Frank, who
was barely visible in the darkness.

"Captain Templeton?" he asked.

"No, sir. I'm Lieutenant Chadwick. A moment, sir, and I'll call the
captain."

"If you please," said the visitor.

Frank passed the word for the quartermaster, who arrived within a few
moments.

"Call Captain Templeton," Frank directed.

Jack arrived on deck a few moments later and exchanged greetings with his
visitor. The latter produced a packet of papers.

"From the admiralty," he said. "You will know what to do with them."

Jack took the papers and stowed them in his pocket.

"Yes, sir," he said.

"That is all, then," said the visitor. "I shall be going."

He stepped to the side of the vessel and disappeared.

"This means," said Jack, after the other had gone, "that we can sail any
time now."

"Then why not at once?" asked Frank.

"You anticipated me," replied Jack. "Will you kindly pipe all hands on
deck, Mr. Chadwick?"

Frank passed the word.

Sleepy men came tumbling from their bunks below. All became bustle and
hurry aboard the Brigadier. Jack himself took the bridge. Frank stood
beside him. Other officers took their places.

"Man the guns!" came Jack's order.

It was the lad's intention to overlook nothing that would protect the ship
should it encounter an enemy submarine en route, and, as the lad knew, it
was just as possible they would encounter one in the English Channel as
elsewhere.

For, despite all precautions taken by British naval authorities, enemy
submarines more than once had crept through the channel, once penetrating
Dover harbor itself, where they had wreaked considerable damage before
being driven away by British destroyers and submarine chasers.

A few moments later Jack signaled the engine room.

"Half speed ahead."

Slowly the Brigadier slipped from her anchorage and moved through the
still waters of the harbor. Directly she pushed her nose into the channel,
then headed east.

"Full speed ahead!" Jack signaled the engine room.

The Brigadier leaped forward.

"Better turn in, Jack," said Frank. "It's Thompson's watch."

"No, I'll stick until we reach the Atlantic," returned Jack.

"Then I'll stick along," said Frank.

This th