"I'm your man! As I came along in the train this morning I was cogitating what was the smallest amount of pay that I would take for this job--whatever it might be; but, by the piper, Jack, the mere pleasure of commanding such a craft would be payment enough for me, and I'm quite willing to take it on free, gratis, and for nothing, if you say so." "The pay," said Jack, "will be at the rate of thirty pounds sterling per calendar month, with uniform and your keep, of course, thrown in." "Good enough!" exclaimed Milsom enthusiastically. "You may take it that upon these terms I accept the command of the--what's her name?" "She is so new," said Jack, "that she has not yet been given a name. At present she is known simply as Number 78. But"--lowering his voice--"I have not yet told you everything; you had better wait until you have heard all that I have to say before you definitely decide. Meanwhile, here comes your steak and some fresh coffee, so you had better get your breakfast; and when you have finished we will both go up to my private room." "Right ho!" acquiesced Milsom, who forthwith turned his attention to his second breakfast, saying very little more until he intimated that he had finished, and was now quite ready to resume the discussion of the matter that had brought him up to town. Accordingly, Jack conducted his friend up to his private sitting-room, waved him into a chair, and took one himself. "Ah!" exclaimed Milsom, in a tone that conveyed his complete satisfaction with things in general; "this is all right. I suppose, by the way, a chap may smoke here, mayn't he?" "Of course," said Jack; "smoke away as hard as you please, old man. Have a cigar?" "No, thanks," answered the Navy man; "good, honest, stick tobacco, smoked out of a well-seasoned brier, is good enough for me--unless one can get hold of a real, genuine Havana, you know; but they are scarcely to be had in these days." "All the same, I think we may perhaps manage to get hold of one or two where we are going," said Jack; "that is to say, if you are still willing to take on the job after you have heard what I am bound to tell you." "Ah!" exclaimed Milsom; "something in the background, eh? Well, it can't be very terrible, I fancy, Jack, or you would not be mixed up in it. However, heave ahead, my lad, and let us hear the worst, without further parley."