ry
word of it. I confess, however, I could not understand all their
allusions to old times and byegone events afloat and ashore, many of the
names and incidents mentioned in their talk being altogether unfamiliar
to my ears.

"Where are you off to now, Vernon?" inquired Admiral Napier, stopping to
take snuff again when we arrived at the last lamp-post at the corner
abutting on Waterloo Place. "If you're not otherwise engaged, come back
with me and have lunch at the club, you and the youngster."

"Thank you very much, Admiral," returned Dad, "I would be only to glad,
but, to tell the truth, I'm bound for the Admiralty."

"Ah! you want to see Mister Secretary just after he has finished _his_
lunch!" said the knowing old fellow, giving Dad a dig in the ribs. "Sly
dog! I suppose you think you'll have a better chance of working to
win'ard of him then?"

"That's it, Admiral," said my father, laughing. "There's no good in a
fellow trying to bamboozle you, sir."

"No, by George!" chuckled the old fellow, mightily pleased at this
tribute to his "cuteness", "you'd have to get up precious early in the
morning to take me in as you know from old experience of me, Vernon!
But, what the deuce are you going to Whitehall to kick your heels there
for? They'll only keep you waiting an hour in that infernal
waiting-room, and then tell you the Secretary's gone for the day, or
some other bouncer, just to get rid of you. I know their dirty tricks--
hang 'em! What d'you want, eh?"

"Well, sir, I thought I might get something in one of the dockyards,"
answered Dad, frankly. "I heard last night of there being an
appointment vacant at Devonport, and I was going to apply for it."

"Any interest, eh?"

"Not a scrap, Admiral," replied my father. "All my friends are dead or
out of favour with the powers that be, I'm afraid now."

"Then you might as well apply for a piece of the moon," said the Admiral
in his curt, dogmatic way; "and if that's all, Vernon, that is taking
you to Whitehall, you had far better save your shoe leather and come
back with me to the club."

"Thank you very much, Admiral, but I must really say `no' again,"
rejoined Dad, touched by his kindly pertinacity. "I confess, sir,
though, that the object of my journey to the Admiralty is not altogether
on my own account personally, for I wished to introduce this youngster
of mine here to the Secretary, and thought it a good thing to kill the
two birds with one st