After saying good-by all around, and thanking Lord Hastings for his kindness, Miss Beulow took her place in the launch. Frank and Lieutenant Taylor followed and they were soon on their way toward the cruiser.
As the three had made their way to the launch. Lord Hastings whispered to Frank:
"Lieutenant Taylor will go aboard with Miss Beulow. Immediately he leaves the launch you will return. The message he carries to Captain Johnson will explain the situation to the latter."
"I am awfully sorry to see you leaving," said Frank to Miss Beulow, as the launch approached the cruiser.
"And I am sorry to go," she replied. "However, I suppose it is necessary. I hope that I shall see you again."
"You must look me up when the war is over, if you can," the girl continued, and, taking a card from her purse she wrote an address upon it and gave it to the lad.
Lieutenant Taylor had not spoken a word up to this time, but Frank had caught several threatening looks upon his face.
"Just a word of warning," he said to Miss Beulow, as she at last said good-by and made ready to leave the launch. "Beware of Taylor."
The girl smiled brightly at him, and with another word of farewell was gone. Lieutenant Taylor, in accordance with his instructions, followed her aboard the cruiser.
Hardly had the lieutenant set foot on the deck of the cruiser, when Frank ordered his men to put back to the _Sylph_. As the little launch got under way, Frank heard a shout, and, looking over his shoulder, saw Lieutenant Taylor angrily beckoning him to come back.
Frank paid no heed to this command and the launch continued on its way. Aboard the _Sylph_ once more, Frank immediately made his way to Lord Hastings to report. Almost at the same moment the wireless operator rushed up and passed the commander a slip of paper.
Lord Hastings read the message and then turned to Lieutenant Edwards.
"Full speed ahead!" he commanded. "We are ordered to feel the way for the advance of the British fleet against the Germans to-night. It means we shall go into action."
"Hurrah!" shouted Frank, unable to restrain his enthusiasm.
"Hurrah!" cried Jack, who approached just in time to catch Lord Hastings' words.
A few moments more and the _Sylph_ was again dashing madly through the water. But hardly was the vessel under way when the wireless operator, his face flushed and his manner manifesting the greatest excitement, rushed up to Lord Hastings.