Page:Barbour--For the freedom from the seas.djvu/82

 "Yes, sir." Nelson was, in turn, doing some looking, too, and there was something about his neighbor that suggested authority. Still it didn't do to talk too freely. They had been plentifully warned against that.

"Been on liberty?" pursued the man.

"No, sir. Hospital."

"Really? Nothing serious, I hope."

"No, sir." The gentleman looked expectant of further details, but Nelson said no more. After a moment the former asked: "Who's in command of the Wanderer?"

"Lieutenant Hattuck."

"Hattuck, eh?" He seemed trying to recall something. Finally: "Yes, yes, of course. I thought I knew the name. Commanded the Andover in '98. So he's in the Reserve, is he? How large is your boat, the Wanderer?"

"Not very big," answered Nelson, evasively. The other chuckled.

"You're right, my boy, not to talk too much. I forget that—Hm, let me see." He dipped into a pocket, drew forth a case and selected from it a card which he passed across. "Merely to reassure you," he explained. Nelson accepted the bit of engraved cardboard in surprise, a surprise which increased when he read the name on it, the 60