It was the distinguished-looking gentleman in blue who came alongside just after they dropped anchor at the Rock, who brought the glorious news. He ascended the gangway with great dignity, and disappeared into some secret place with the skipper. After some delay and a slight commotion, various flags were hoisted, and he majestically appeared again. It seemed that the hoisting of the flags had apparently been successful. Suspicion had been averted by this simple act; there was no longer any danger of being made a target for enthusiastic gunners. And, what was more to the point, the distinguished gentleman was now free to impart his great tidings. "The German fleet, gentlemen," he remarked genially, "has ceased to exist." "Who said so?" asked a doubting voice. "It is in all the Spanish papers." The Admiral, or whatever he was, eyed the speaker compassionately. "A great action has taken place in the North Sea; we have lost nineteen big ships in addition to destroyers, and the German fleet is wiped out." "It doesn't seem good enough, does it?" murmured a graceless member of the group. "But if it's really authentic?" Draycott turned to him doubtfully. "And there must be something in it if it's in all the Spanish papers." "On the contrary," returned the graceless one. "It is precisely that fact that makes me believe there is nothing in it." The remark seemed conclusive; and yet so detailed was the information all over Gib, so definite the lists of vessels sunk on each side, that even intelligent Scorps--as the inhabitants of the place are known--were impressed. Strangely enough, exactly the same detailed lists, with just sufficient difference to make them credible, were in all the Italian papers at the same time--though this only transpired later. At the moment nothing much mattered but the time of the next boat going East: it was their own little personal future that counted. A naval battle--yes, perhaps; nineteen ships down--the German fleet as well; fifty or sixty thousand men--gone, finished, wiped out. And yet it was the next boat they wanted to know about.