“Oh, if we could only hear from Roland!” sighed little Rosemary. “Be patient, dear. We shall hear to-morrow,” whispered Mrs. Force. “Oh! ‘To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow!’” sighed Rosemary. “We will go down and get some luncheon, and then go on to our new quarters.” “And to-night we shall sleep in motionless beds for the first time in two weeks, thank Heaven!” exclaimed Wynnette. They went down to the dining saloon and lunched. Then Mr. Force settled the bill and the whole party went out. The squire caught a hack “on the fly,” put his five ladies into it and gave the driver the address. The hack drove off. The three gentlemen walked all the way to the hotel. When they reached it and were gathered in the parlor some little discussion took place as to the division of three rooms among eight persons. And it was concluded that the four girls should have one of the double-bedded rooms; the earl and the captain should have the other; and Mr. and Mrs. Force should have the small one. The party retired very early that night, and in spite of anticipations of the morning they all slept profoundly. CHAPTER XIII THE CAPTAIN OF THE “ARGENTE” Our travelers arose very early the next morning. The very first news that met Mr. Force on his entrance into the gentlemen’s reading room was, that the _Argente_ was in the navy yard. She had arrived at dawn that morning. The squire hastened to the ladies’ parlor to communicate the news to Mrs. Force and the girls. There was a general exclamation of joy, and then a cry of sharp anxiety from Rosemary: “Oh! when shall we find out about Roland?” she pleaded. “This very morning, dear child! No more to-morrows! To-morrow has come!” replied Mrs. Force, with a smile—yet, oh! how wan a smile! “Come down to breakfast at once. We will get a cup of coffee or something, and then start for the navy yard and go on board the _Argente_,” said the squire, giving his arm to his wife. They went down to the saloon and breakfasted as well as they could for the excitement, which took away their appetite. After that, Mr. Force went out to hunt up a carriage, for there was none on the stand. When he returned, he said: “My children, I could only get one hack, and it will hold but four persons inside. Your Uncle Enderby does not wish to go out. Therefore, Wynnette and Elva, you will remain here under the protection of your uncle, until we come back. Your mother, your sister, and your little friend will go with me.” “But where is Uncle Gideon?” inquired Rosemary. “My child, chains would not have held him here. He has gone down in an omnibus to the navy yard.” Preparations were soon made, and Mr. Force and the three ladies were on their way to the east end of the city. They drove through the navy yard gate, past the officers’ quarters and the workshops, and down to the water side. There lay the _Argente_ at anchor a few hundred yards from the shore.