“And now what can I do for you, gentlemen?”

For answer Jack passed over the papers entrusted him by the Admiralty.  Secretary Daniels scanned them briefly.

“These matters shall be attended to, gentlemen,” he said.  “Now, is there anything else?”

“There is, sir,” said Jack, “and a matter probably of much greater importance.”

He drew from his pocket the documents given him by Lord Hastings, and these he also passed to Secretary Daniels.  The latter read them carefully, his face drawn into a scowl.

“Hm-m-m,” he said at last.  “Hm-m-m.”

He grew silent, apparently lost in thought.  At last he spoke.

“I have had some such fears myself,” he said at last, “but it seems they are not shared by other officials of the department.  I dislike to take matters altogether into my hands, and yet I suppose I can do it.  First, however, I shall make an effort to convince my associates through these documents.”

“I am instructed to say, sir,” said Jack, “that it would be well if you gave the matter prompt attention.”

“Oh,” said Secretary Daniels, “I anticipate no immediate trouble; and still this is a matter that should not be overlooked.  I thank you, gentlemen, for bringing the matter to my attention.”

He rose from his chair, signifying that the interview was ended.

Jack and Frank left the Navy department, and the ambassador dropped them at their hotel.

“I don’t know what to think of the Secretary of the Navy,” said Jack when they were alone.  “He didn’t seem greatly interested.”

“He is the man, you know,” said Frank, “who wanted to change the technical terms of port and starboard to right and left.”

“That’s so,” said Jack, “but I’ll venture to say he can rise to an emergency.”

“There is no doubt about that,” Frank agreed, and added quietly:  “Americans always have.”

CHAPTER XII

THE U-BOATS APPEAR

Three weeks passed and Jack and Frank were still in Washington.  Immediately after delivering his messages to Secretary Daniels, Jack got in touch with the British Admiralty wireless and asked for instructions.  When the reply came it was signed Lord Hastings and said merely: 

“Stay where you are pending further orders.”

And after three weeks no word had come.

Several times during the three weeks Jack and Frank, or one of the lads at a time, had returned to Newport News to look to the needs of the Essex, which still lay quietly in the James river.  Steam was kept up in the destroyer every moment of the day, and she was ready to put to sea on an instant’s notice.

“Chances are when we need her it will be in a hurry,” said Jack.

Therefore nothing was overlooked that would enable the destroyer to go into action on a moment’s notice.  Provisions were added to the stores from time to time, and the crew were put through their drills daily.