“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 moments later, “and if I’m not mistaken that’s the Brigadier about a hundred yards off shore there.”

“That’s the Brigadier, all right,” said Frank, “I can see her name forward even at this distance.  By George! but the camouflage artists have certainly done a good job on her.”

“So they have,” Jack agreed.  “But we may as well go aboard.”

They commandeered a small boat and rowed rapidly to the Brigadier.  Jack swung himself up on deck and Frank climbed up behind him.

A young lieutenant greeted Jack respectfully after a quick glance at the latter’s bars.

“What can I do for you, sir?” he asked.

“You may go below and tell the engineer to get steam up immediately,” replied Jack.  “We may not sail before morning, but I may desire to leave before.”

“Very well, sir,” replied the young officer, “but may I ask who you are, sir?”

“Certainly,” replied Jack, “I’m the commander of this ship, Captain Templeton.  This is Mr. Chadwick, my first officer.  What is your name, sir?”

“Hetherton, sir, second officer of the Brigadier.”

“Very good, Lieutenant.  You shall stay on here as second officer until further notice.  Now below with you.”

Lieutenant Hetherton disappeared.

“I guess he won’t ask many more questions,” said Frank grimly.

“Perhaps not,” said Jack.  “Now, Mr. Chadwick, will you be so kind as to take the deck while I go to my cabin.”

Frank seemed about to remark upon Jack’s sudden change in manner.  Then he thought better of it and walked off, grumbling to himself.

“Wonder what he’s in such an all-fired rush about?  He’s not wasting any time, that’s sure.”

He took the deck.  Ten minutes later Lieutenant Hetherton reported to him, saluting at the same time.

“Engineer says he’ll have steam up in two hours, sir.”

“Very well,” replied Frank, returning the salute.  “Will you kindly take the deck, Lieutenant Hetherton?  I’m going below.”

Lieutenant Hetherton took the deck, and thus relieved, Frank went below and sought out Jack’s cabin.

“Now,” he said, “I’ll find out what all this rush is about.”

Without the formality of a knock, he went in.

CHAPTER IV

THE START