The captain returned on board to take the brig round to London. The two friends reached town late that night, and Wilkinson went straight to the Admiralty with the despatches. He was at once taken to the room where one of the junior officials was on duty.
"Despatches from Sir Sidney Smith, sir," Wilkinson said.
"I believe not. There was an opportunity for sending them, and Sir Sidney availed himself of it."
"Then it will not be worth while to wake up the admiral at this time of night?"
"I should say certainly not. But I thought it my duty to bring them here at once."
"Very well. If you are wanted you can be sent for in the morning. You had best call here about eleven, so that you can answer any questions that the admirals may ask."
In the morning the midshipman went across. Half an hour later his name was called out, and he was at once shown into a room in which two of the naval lords were sitting.
"You are the bearer of the despatches from Sir Sidney Smith, Mr. Wilkinson?"
"He has sent us the report you gave him of your cruise in the brig _Tigress_ among the Greek and Turkish islands. There can be no doubt that you did your work exceedingly well, as is shown by the long list of prizes captured or destroyed. He mentions that he has received also reports from the Pasha of Smyrna and the Governor of Rhodes, speaking in high terms of the services that you have rendered, and saying that for the time piracy appears to have entirely ceased and the seas to be open to peaceful traders. What time have you to serve?"
"Well, I think, if you feel prepared, it would be as well for you to take advantage of your being at home to pass, and we will take care that you shall get your promotion as soon as you have served your full time. You would like a couple of months' leave, no doubt, before you return. Would you rather wait before going in to be examined, or would you prefer going in at once?"
"I would rather go in at once, sir. I should enjoy my holiday much better if it was over."
"I do not think it will take very long," the admiral said with a smile. "After having been in command of a ten-gun brig for six months you should be able to satisfy the requirements of the examiners without difficulty. You will be good enough to wait in the ante-room."