and all that. You see, I
must make my report."

"Of course."

Just then the oars were thrown up and laid alongside, and, as the
lieutenant came to the gangway, Archy sprang on to the cutter so sharply
that he came rather roughly in contact with his commanding officer.

"How dare you! Why, you clumsy young--" Before he could say more, the
midshipman touched his red cap.

"Come aboard, sir," he said.

"Why? What? Mr Ray--Oh, my dear boy!"

There was not a bit of official dignity in the greeting, for the plump
little lieutenant, in his surprise and delight, caught Archy by the
arms, then by the shoulders; stared in his face; seized his hands, shook
them both, and was about to hug him, but, suddenly recollecting himself,
he drew back.

"In with that boat," he cried sharply. Then, giving the orders to slip
the cable, and prepare to make sail, he turned to Gurr.

"I'll take your report directly, Mr Gurr," he said. Then, very
stiffly, "Take charge of the deck. Mr Raystoke, follow me, sir, to my
cabin."

"Going to wig me," said the midshipman, as he followed his officer down
into the cabin and shut the door.

"Now, sir," cried the lieutenant, turning upon him sharply, "have the
goodness to explain your conduct. Stop--not a word yet. I entrusted
you with an important commission. I dealt with you as if you were a
man, an officer and a gentleman; and, instead of doing your duty, you
went off like a contemptible cabin-boy on a shore-going game, sir--
dissipation, sir--behaved like a blackguard till all your money was
spent; and then you come sneaking back on board, insult me by blundering
up against me, and all you've got to say for yourself is, `Come aboard,
sir.' Now, then, what else have you to say?"

"Well, sir!--"

"Stop. Let me tell you that, knowing as I did what a young scamp you
were, I refrained from reporting your conduct at Portsmouth, to get you
dismissed His Majesty's service; and knowing, too, that it would break
your father's and mother's heart, I did not write and tell them. For I
said to myself, `He'll come back and ask forgiveness to-morrow, and I'll
punish him and forgive him,' for I did not want to blast your career.
But to-morrow has always been coming, and you haven't come till
to-night. And now, what have you to say before--before I treat you--
yes, I've a good mind to--like some mutinous scoundrel, and--What's
that, sir, what's that? How dare you sit down in my presence, when-