“Search me,” replied Frank.

“Our instructions,” Jack continued, “are to stay here pending further orders.”

“Maybe we’ll get them soon,” said Frank.

“Yes; and maybe we won’t.”

“Then we’ll just have to sit tight.”

“That’s what worries me.”

There was a knock at the door.

“Come in,” Frank called.

A bell boy entered with a second cablegram.

Jack tore it open hastily.

“Hurray!” he cried.

“What’s up?” demanded Frank.

He arose and peered over his chum’s shoulder.  What he read was this: 

“Offer your services and the services of the Essex to the U.S.  Navy Department at once.”

“Fine!” cried Frank.  “Let’s get busy.”

It was the work of half an hour, however, to get Secretary Daniels on the telephone.  He had been aroused at the first news of the sinkings off the coast and had been kept on the jump ever since.  But he took time to talk to Jack.

“I am authorized by the British Admiralty, sir,” said Jack over the ’phone, “to offer the services of my ship to the American government.”

“Accepted with thanks,” snapped Secretary Daniels.  “You will proceed immediately to your vessel in Newport News, after which you will join the American vessels on patrol duty off the coast of Virginia.  I shall inform Admiral Sellings that you will report to him for instructions.”

Without awaiting a reply, Secretary Daniels hung up.

“By George!” said Jack.  “He’s a man of action when he gets to moving.”

“What did he say?” demanded Frank.

“Hurry and pack your things,” was Jack’s reply.  “I’ll explain as we work.”

It was the work of only a few minutes for the lads to gather their belongings and dump them in their handbags.  Then they hurried downstairs, where they paid their bill and learned that they could catch a train to Richmond within the hour.

“Going after the submarines?” asked the night clerk.

“Yes,” replied Jack shortly.

“Good!  I hope you get ’em.  Here’s your taxi.”

The lads jumped into the taxi and were driven to the station, where they caught their train with time to spare.

It lacked two hours of daylight when they arrived in Richmond.  They took a taxi across town to the Chesapeake and Ohio station, where they caught a train for Newport News an hour later.  At eight o’clock they were in Newport News, and fifteen minutes later stepped aboard the Essex.

“Glad to see you back, sir,” said Lieutenant Hetherton, who held the deck.  “I suppose you’ve heard——­”

“Pipe all hands to quarters, Mr. Hetherton,” Jack interrupted sharply, “and clear ship for action.  We sail within the hour.”

Lieutenant Hetherton hurried away.

“Frank,” said Jack, “go below and have a look at the engine room.  Then find the quartermaster and see about provisions and fuel.”