ads' relief. "He's
been knocked unconscious in some way. Something must have struck him a
hard blow across the head. All he needs is perfect quiet for a week."

"He'll get it," declared Jack, "if I have to sit on him for that length
of time."

"And if I have to help you hold him down," Frank agreed.

For the next week the boys gave their undivided attention to caring for
their wounded commander. Each day, after the first, Lord Hastings grew
stronger. On the third day he wanted to get up, but the surgeon would
not hear of it.

"Seven days in bed," he declared. "Not a second less; and two more days
before you can move about much."

"Yes, but look here, Doc," said Lord Hastings. "I've work to do. I've
got to get back into harness."

"And two weeks exactly before you can get back in harness," declared the
man of medicine.

From this ultimatum he would not swerve.

At the end of the first week Lord Hastings was for disregarding the
surgeon's orders and getting back into harness anyhow; but Jack and
Frank would not hear of it.

"Might just as well get well, first, sir," declared Jack.

Lord Hastings glared at him.

"How about you?" he demanded. "How would you like to stay around like
this doing nothing? You couldn't sit here for five minutes. I know you."

"You may be right, sir," agreed Frank. "But you are older than I am,
sir, and should have more patience and fortitude."

Lord Hastings was forced to smile at this rejoinder.

"You see, sir," said Frank, "I can remember some of the things you have
said to me."

"I see," agreed Lord Hastings. "I guess, then, that I shall have to
remain here, if for no other reason than to set a good example for you."

"That's right, sir," declared Jack. "If you didn't, there would be no
living with Frank."

"Oh, I don't know," said the latter. "I can remember one time when you
were in bad shape that I had to threaten to lick you to keep you in
bed."

"Well, that's different," said Jack. "I----"

"Well, let's talk about something cheerful," said Lord Hastings.
"Germans or anything like that."

And so the conversation was changed.

When the two weeks had come to an end Lord Hastings proceeded to get
back in harness immediately.

"I've been here long enough," he told the boys. "Back to _The Hawk_
again now."

And back to _The Hawk_ they went that day.

Aboard _The Hawk_ Lord Hastings made a careful inspection and then left
the lads, while he held an interview wit