"
"But I'm not the commanding officer," gasped Jack.
"For the purposes of this cruise you are," smiled Fullerton. "But I
forget. You haven't received your orders. There they are on your desk.
They arrived less than an hour ago by wire."
Like one in a dream young Jack Benson picked up a bulky telegraph
envelope and broke the seal. There, before his eyes, danced the words
of the latest order from the Secretary of the Navy.
Lieutenant Jack Benson was directed to take command of the United
States gunboat, 'Sudbury,' until further orders. Ensigns Hastings and
Somers were directed to assume such duties aboard as were assigned to
them by Lieutenant Benson.
"I didn't expect this," stammered Jack. "I--I--we thought our
temporary rank in the Navy was given us merely that we might have legal
standing in making one arrest that is wanted."
"No one ever does know just what is wanted of him, until the order
comes," laughed Ensign Fullerton. "At least, that has been the case
since Mr. Sanders became Secretary of the Navy. He keeps all officers
on the jump. But I guess that is what a good many of them need, sir.
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