Putting down the cup of hot drink, the man who had done the talking dismissed the three others, seated himself on the edge of the berth and placed a finger on one of Dave's unresisting wrists.
The same man was there, seated on a lockerand smoking a pipe, when Dave Darrin again opened his eyes.
This time Dave sat up rather nimbly, then turned, supporting his head on one hand.
"Hullo, there!" Dave hailed, cheerily.
"Getting your strength back, aren't you?" queried the stranger.
"Yes, sir! But tell me. Is this the same night I was picked up and introduced on board, so to speak?"
"The same night."
"About how many hours ago?"
"Five, I guess."
"Then it must be near daylight."
"Yes."
"Any American destroyers sighted hereabouts, do you know?"
"Not at last accounts. We have been keeping a lookout, too, for your uniform proclaimed you to be a Yankee naval officer."
"What ship is this?"
"The 'Rigsdak.'"
"Norwegian?" Dave inquired.
"Danish freighter, homebound from Hartlepool."
"And you're the ship's doctor?"
"Yes. Unless we meet one of your own country's ships you'll be ashore in Denmark before noon today. But the sea is so rough that I do notbelieve we could transfer you, even if we met one of your own craft."
"Denmark isn't such a bad country," Dave laughed, pleasantly. "I've been there. And you're mighty quick people. It didn't take you long to rope and haul me on board."
"Because our second officer had a man in his watch who used to be a cowboy in your country, and he can handle a lariat well. Travelling through these dangerous waters we always carry a line forward with a noose at one end. You're the third man we've roped out of the water in six months."
"But what was that first line that was thrown overboard—I mean the one I grabbed and held on to?"
"There was a bucket at the end of that rope," the ship's surgeon informed Dave. "The deck-hose is out of order, and a sailor threw the bucket over to haul up water with which to wash down the passageway."
"I'm thankful he made the cast just at that instant," Dave murmured.
"Providence must have directed the cast," replied the doctor. "And it wasn't your time to die."
"I've no right to die, if I can possibly prevent it!" Dave rejoined warmly. "I'm only a small-fry officer, to be sure, but even at that I'm needed,like every other trained American officer, until Germany has been taught the great lesson of law and morality."
"Amen to that!" agreed the doctor, fervently.
"You're not pro-German, then, like so many of your countrymen?" Dave asked, with a smile.
"There are few of us who are pro-German in Denmark," replied the ship's surgeon. "Though, until your Entente allies can protect us against powerful Germany's wrath it is not prudent for us to be too outspoken in favor of England, France and America."
"From your accent you've been in our country?" Dave hinted.
"I took my degree in an American medical school, but I am a Dane. And now, sir, your name?"
"David Darrin, lieutenant-commander, United States Navy."
"And I am Dr. Valpak. And now, Mr. Darrin, I advise that you rest your mind, eat what I am going to order sent here, and then take another nap."
Dave gladly ate of the sea biscuit and soup that were brought to him, after which Dr. Valpak felt his pulse, administered a drink of something with an unfamiliar taste, then uttered the professional command:
"Sleep!"
Dr. Valpak closed the door from outside. Dave closed his eyes, and enjoyed the luxury of another nap.
Itwas almost nine o'clock in the morning when Darrin awoke. He at once realized how refreshed he was. His had been a close call, but fortunate accident and his own strong body had pulled him through.
There on the floor were his rubber boots, on the locker his underclothing, while on knobs against the cabin wall hung the garments that comprised his uniform.
Rising, Dave was delighted to find himself still strong. Without ado he drew off and tossed across the berth the coarse nightgown that some one had put on him. Then he began to dress.
Everything was dry—indeed, laundered. These new Danes of the sea knew how to be hospitable. So Darrin dressed, and, when he rang for hot water, a steward appeared with the ship's barber, who aided in Darrin's toilet. Before this had been finished Dr. Valpak thrust his head in to inquire:
"Do I intrude?"
"Only as a personage from the pages of 'Arabian Nights,' Doctor," Darrin laughed. "Come in."
Not only did the doctor come in, but soon, also, a waiter, who set up a small table made fast to the wall, and on it spread such a breakfast as made Dave's heart rejoice.
Wind and sea had abated much. The broad "Rigsdak" now rode the water with comparatively little roll. Dave sat down to enjoy his breakfast, and Dr. Valpak soon withdrew.
Just after the finish of the meal the surgeon returned, bringing with him this time the ship's master, one Kennor, who spoke with a strong accent. Dave expressed his thanks for the fine care that had been given him.
"And you muss der mate meet," declared Captain Kennor, beaming. "He it vass who show der light in your face, und den der noose was over you drop."
So presently Dave followed these new friends to the deck, where he was introduced to the mate. He also, through Dr. Valpak, thanked the sailor who had cast the bucket-line overboard. The seaman who had dropped the noose around him spoke English fluently. Dave shook hands with both sailors. He then followed Captain Kennor and the mate to the bridge.
"You carry only freight?" Dave asked.
"Somedimes passengers," replied Captain Kennor. "Two we have dis time. An English lawyer und hiss young vife."
The pair just mentioned were seen walking on the spar deck forward. The man was well past middle age, of fine, rather sharp features and with thick gray hair. The woman did not appear to be above the age of twenty-five.
Captain Kennor escorted Dave down and introduced him to Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Launce.
"One doesn't often hear a story like that of your rescue," said Mr. Launce.
"It would have killed you, had you been an ordinary man," shivered Mrs. Launce.
"Thank you for the inference," Darrin laughed.
"But I have met several of your American naval officers," Mrs. Launce continued. "You are splendidly big, enduring men."
"Again I must thank you."
"A man accustomed to indoor life could not have lived half as long as you did before you were picked up," added the lawyer.
"Do you feel your full strength yet?" asked his wife.
"Not—quite, I'll admit," Dave answered.
"Then it will be well if you find a seat, inside, too, I should think," continued the Englishwoman. "Shall we all go inside? The air is cold out here."
Truth to tell, though he was not by any means in a fainting condition, Dave Darrin did feel that a seat inside, where it was warm, would be much to his liking.
So Captain Kennor led them to a small dining cabin, where the white cloths had been removed from the tables and homely red ones substituted.
"Dr. Valpak told me you expected to make port by noon," said Dave.
"Dot vass der hope, but last night's vinds held us back more dan ve knew," replied Captain Kennor. "Id vill be two dis afternoon before ve make—"
He was interrupted by a shattering jar that made the ship stagger. It was accompanied by a crashing explosion.
Uttering a cry of fright Mrs. Launce sprang to her feet.
"Can that be—" she began.
"Yes, madam, a torpedo," Dave replied, rising more slowly. "It was evidently a hard hit, but this twenty-eight-hundred-ton ship should remain afloat at least half an hour, unless another torpedo be launched. There is plenty of time. Will you permit me?"
There were life-belts at hand. Dave quickly and deftly fastened Mrs. Launce's life-belt about her, then performed a similar office for her husband. This done he went to his recent cabin,where he donned his own belt and stepped out on the deck, joining his fellow passengers.
Struck on the port side, just forward of her boilers, the "Rigsdak" was already listing considerably to that side.
"The captain and the first officer are below," hailed Dr. Valpak. "They will examine the ship's injuries and decide. It may not be necessary to abandon ship."
Mrs. Launce turned to Darrin, who had just turned back from the port rail. She looked at him so imperatively that he nodded and replied:
"We shall have to take to the boats. This ship is not going to float. Her pumps will not save her, for the hole in the side is beyond temporary repairs."
Within two or three minutes Captain Kennor and his mate appeared, confirming Dave's verdict.
Darrin had already looked out over the sea, but he had been unable to make out any sign of the presence of a submarine.
"Could it have been a mine?" demanded Mr. Launce.
"No, sir," Dave answered, promptly. "Had we struck a mine the explosion would have been much more violent."
"Then a torpedo provides sufficient experience of this sort of thing," cried Mrs. Launce, making a face.
"Der passengers vill my boat go in!" called Captain Kennor. "Dere vill time be."
Again Mrs. Launce glanced inquiringly at Darrin, who nodded his confirmation.
Three boats were cleared away, carrying most of the crew and all the officers except the master. The boats were safely launched, and fortunately the sea was not too rough for them.
Then Captain Kennor appeared, carrying a bag and his navigating instruments.
"Are your ship's papers and instruments intended for the Germans, sir?" Dave inquired, significantly.
"No; you be right," admitted Captain Kennor, opening his eyes wide, after a brief moment's thought.
Going to the rail he tossed bag and instruments over into the sea.
Then the last boat was lowered, the seamen who remained behind jumping as soon as their work was completed, and being picked up from the water.
"Ve shall but a few hours of rowing haff," declared Captain Kennor. "It vill not so hard be upon uss."
Dave was thinking of another prospect, but did not voice his thought. The men in the captain's boat gave way at the oars, Kennor steering. The other boats had already pulled well clear ofthe coming foundering, and now the captain's boat followed. The "Rigsdak" was likely to remain afloat for some minutes yet.
"I thought so," muttered Darrin, pointing to where a gray conning tower was emerging from the sea.
Captain Kennor gave an order in his native tongue, and the men in his boat ceased rowing.
"Dey vill uss hail, so ve need not be too far avay," he explained to his passengers.
After the conning tower the gray back of the sea pest rose into view. The manhole of the tower was opened and an officer appeared, followed to the deck by a few seamen, two of whom stationed themselves by a gun that popped up into view.
"Come alongside!" shouted the officer, in English, through a megaphone.
Again Captain Kennor's oarsmen gave way, their skipper heading for the submarine.
"That will do. Cease rowing," commanded the German officer. "What ship is that yonder?"
"Der Danish freighter, 'Rigsdak,'" replied Captain Kennor.
"And its master?"
"Dat iss me."
"Come aboard."
At the order Dave, who had quietly loosened his belt and holster containing his automatic revolver, quickly dropped them overboard on the side farthest from the German craft.
There was sufficient sea running to make the task of getting close alongside a difficult one. A German sailor reached out to catch Kennor's arm and aid him aboard the submarine.
"And your instruments and papers," ordered the German officer, sharply.
"I did not dem with me bring," replied Kennor.
"Perhaps that will be so much the worse for you," was the scowling reply. "We want the papers, and we have need, especially, of ship's instruments."
The German eyed Dave Darrin curiously. The American officer's uniform was concealed under his sou'-wester, rubber coat and boots, but after a moment's inspection, the German said curtly:
"You, too, will come aboard."
As refusal would have been absurd under the circumstances Darrin promptly obeyed. Instantly the German officer snatched a fold of Darrin's rubber coat, pulling it aside and thus revealing a glimpse of the uniform beneath.
"Take off that rubber coat!" the Hun ordered, brusquely.
Flushing slightly, Dave obeyed, his uniform now being fully revealed.
"Ha!" snarled the Hun. "I suspected something of the sort.Youtwo will go down throughthe manhole. And this man and woman are passengers? They will come aboard."
Captain Kennor led the way below, Mr. and Mrs. Launce following. Dave, as he reached the manhole, turned to see the "Rigsdak" vanish beneath the waters.
Then Dave Darrin stepped inside the conning tower and began to descend the ladder—a German prisoner at last!
Asfor the seamen in the boat, the officer, after a scowling stare in their direction, ordered them also on board, where he had them lined up forward.
"Take off those life-belts," he ordered, still in English, and a seaman who understood interpreted to his fellow-Danes.
Off came the life-belts, which were dropped to the deck. German sailors then kicked them all overboard.
Now the submarine began to move slowly. A shot was fired from the forward gun into the lifeboat, wrecking and sinking her. This done,the German seamen followed their officer in through the manhole, which was closed.
For at least two miles the submarine moved along on the surface, then, slowly, began to submerge. One of the Danish sailors on deck set up a howl of fright when he found his shoes six inches under water. The cry was taken up by the other sailors with him.
The water rose to their knees—higher. The conning tower settled down into the sea, and the wretched sailors of the captain's boat were left floundering in the water, without life-belts or anything buoyant to keep them afloat.
The last vestige of the submarine vanished, leaving more than a dozen despairing men to flounder and to die, for the "Rigsdak's" other boats were now too far distant to see what had happened.
Going below, Dave and his friends from the "Rigsdak" were conducted into a tiny wardroom behind the mess table at which sat a frowning, leering German ober-lieutenant.
"A ship's master who did not like us well enough to bring his papers and his instruments," barked this commanding officer of the sea-hornet. "An Englishman and his young wife, eh? But we have here—?"
"An American naval officer," replied the younger German officer.
For some reason the ober-lieutenant's manner changed. He looked Dave over curiously, but without the same ferocity.
"Be good enough to be seated," he said, with a wave of the hand toward a chair. "Let these swine stand!"
But Dave chose to remain on his feet. Again the ober-lieutenant turned to him, though with comparative courtesy.
"I offered you a seat, sir. I trust you will avail yourself of the invitation."
"I cannot seat myself, sir," Darrin answered, stiffly, "while a lady is forced to stand."
"Then the woman will have a seat too," replied the ober-lieutenant, with a contemptuous glance in Mrs. Launce's direction. But that young Englishwoman met his look of contempt with a glance that beat the German at his own game, and remained on her feet.
"Oh, very well," said the German commander, carelessly. "Now, I will enter in my log the name and other particulars concerning the master of the 'Rigsdak.'"
Captain Kennor accordingly supplied the particulars, which were written down.
"The English cattle next!" ordered the ober-lieutenant, gruffly.
Mr. Launce therefore stated the names, ages and residence of himself and wife.
"Your reason for travelling?" rasped the German commander, looking up from his record.
"Health," replied the Englishman, stiffly.
"Whose?"—sneeringly.
"Mine."
"You do not look ill."
"That cannot be helped," replied Mr. Launce, as stiffly as ever.
"You must have passports, since you are travelling," suggested the ober-lieutenant.
"Yes; we have," admitted Mr. Launce.
"Turn them over to me."
Receiving the documents in question, the German commander looked them over carefully. Without comment, he handed them to a younger officer, who left the room with them, but soon returned.
"Take these people away," ordered the ober-lieutenant. "And see that you obey all orders without question," he added, to Kennor and the English couple.
When they had been left alone the ober-lieutenant rose to his feet, holding out his hand to Darrin though a bit stiffly.
"We are brothers in arms, it seems, though just now we are enemies," said the German.
"We are enemies, yes," Dave admitted, ignoring the outstretched hand. At this the German flushed, allowing his proffered hand to fall.
"You shall have all permissible courtesy while you are my prisoner, and I trust you will show the same," said the ober-lieutenant.
"I bespeak no courtesy, sir," Dave replied coolly, though without direct affront. "I quite understand that I am a prisoner of war, and, as I cannot help the fact, I will not resent it. You are going to confine me, I take it?"
"No," said the ober-lieutenant, again seating himself and picking up his pen. "You will be given quarters, and allowed some freedom as long as you do not forfeit it. You may even eat at table with us."
"Thank you," said Darrin, bowing stiffly.
"I have not yet entered your name. Be good enough to supply me with it."
"David Darrin."
"Rank?"
"Lieutenant commander."
"Yankee Navy?"
"United States Navy, sir."
"Present detail?"
"Commanding officer of a torpedo boat destroyer."
"Her name?" demanded the ober-lieutenant, writing.
"I decline to state."
"Name of the destroyer?" insisted the German.
"You heard my answer to that," Darrin returned, his lips tightening. "I refuse to reveal the name of the destroyer."
"Her present station?"
"I decline to answer."
"Your reason for being away from your craft and being aboard the 'Rigsdak'?" queried the German, glancing up.
"I was washed overboard in a gale, and rescued by the crew of the 'Rigsdak'," Dave answered, truthfully, without going into details.
"Were you washed overboard from the craft of which you are commanding officer?" pressed the German.
"Again I must decline to answer."
"Oh, very good," said the ober-lieutenant, carelessly. "I shall find that out presently."
Then, as he scanned the information he had written down, the German asked:
"Darrin? Darrin? Where have I heard that name before?"
Picking up another book from the table, the ober-lieutenant turned rapidly through some indexed pages. Suddenly a gleam came into his eyes.
"Ah, here I have it. Darrin, David. Responsible for the capture and recognition of Ober-Lieutenant von Bechtold. Witness against von Bechtold, who was executed in England as a spy. Ha! So you are the Darrin, eh?"
"I may be," half-assented Dave, feeling the other's burning gaze.
"Then I am glad to have you here, Lieutenant-Commander Darrin!" cried the German officer, "but I am afraid things will go badly indeed with you when you arrive in Germany!"
"Indeed?" asked Dave, raising his eyebrows slightly.
"You cannot expect that the people of the Fatherland will feel any great kindness toward you," pursued the ober-lieutenant.
"Why should they dislike me?"
"Because you brought about the death of von Bechtold, and he was an officer most valuable to our government."
"If you caught an American spy in Germany would you arrest him?"
"Assuredly," admitted the German officer.
"And do your best to prove your charge against him and have him executed."
"Again, assuredly."
"That was what I did, in the case of von Bechtold."
"Bah, you are like the French and English!" snapped the ober-lieutenant. "You can never get it through your heads that a German is more important than one of your kinds of people."
"No," Dave agreed, "I am afraid that we cannot appreciate that fact, or even admit it to be a fact."
"And now, before you leave me," broke in the German officer, quickly, "tell me the name of your destroyer and the station on which you last served."
Dave smiled, but did not answer in words. The ober-lieutenant regarded him frowningly.
"Oh, very good," said the German, at last. "There are those in Germany who know how and possess the means to make you talk. Your record shall be completed there. And now—!"
Going to the wardroom door the ober-lieutenant called:
"Lieutenant von Schellen!"
The same younger officer came to the door.
"Be good enough to show Lieutenant Commander Darrin to his quarters and extend to him any courtesies that you properly may. It is not fitting that a man of his rank should have to receive orders from a seaman."
"This way," directed von Schellen, briefly. He led the way down the narrow passage to a curtained doorway.
"In here you will find your home until we reach Germany," said von Schellen. "If you wish exercise you may leave your sleeping cabin and walk back and forth in this passage-way. If the ober-lieutenant should decide to be gracious enough to invite you to the wardroom, then you will also have the freedom of that room—at meal hours only. You will not go to any other part of this craft."
With a curt nod the young lieutenant left Dave. Perhaps von Schellen had done his best to be courteous.
Pulling back the curtain Dave looked in. It was a stuffy little place, just long enough to hold two berths, one above the other, against the outer shell of the submarine. In the upper berth Captain Kennor lay at full length, a hand over his eyes.
"We are cabin-mates, then?" Dave asked, gently.
"Yes, so I been told," the Dane answered gloomily.
"And you in the upper berth? Why did you not take the lower one? It is more comfortable."
"I vould no so presume!" protested the Dane. "Not wid a man of your rank."
"I haven't rank enough in our naval service to feel conceited about it," Darry smiled, "and you are considerably older than I. Any differencethere may be in comfort is your due. Will you kindly exchange?"
Not without some difficulty did Dave succeed in inducing Captain Kennor to change to the lower, broader berth of the two. Dave, after removing his boots and some of his clothing, climbed to the upper berth, spreading a blanket over himself and lying down, for he felt that rest was absolutely needed.
At the noon-meal hour the ober-lieutenant sent an orderly to invite Darrin to the table, though the same invitation was not to be extended to Captain Kennor, who would be expected to eat with the German petty officers. But, as Dave and Captain Kennor were asleep at the time, the orderly departed without waking them.
It was past the middle of the afternoon when Dave Darrin at last awoke sufficiently to decide upon rising. Getting to the floor, and noting that Captain Kennor was still asleep, Dave dressed almost by stealth.
While he was still so engaged there came a slight knock at the door. A German petty officer looked in.
"The ober-lieutenant sends his compliments," announced the fellow, in English. "He will be pleased to have you join him. I will lead the way."
Dave followed, down the passage and out into the main cabin. There, at a table under the conning tower, sat the ober-lieutenant and the same younger officer.
"We will raise the periscope and show you what we are about to do," said the ober-lieutenant, with a half-malicious smile.
Von Schellen, his hand on the wheel of the periscope mechanism, awaited a nod from his chief. Receiving it, the younger officer turned the wheel, sending the periscope up a foot above water.
On the white surface of the shaded table beneath Dave saw the image of a vessel.
"The fellow yonder has not yet sighted us," said the ober-lieutenant, grimly. "We are about to send him a torpedo. Yonder craft is to be our game—Yankee steel and Yankee meat!"
As for Dave, as he stared in horror at the image on the table he recognized in the ship mirrored there Dan Dalzell's own command, the "Reed."
Forcing himself to speak calmly, and to act a part Dave begged:
"One moment longer, please! Let me see whether I can recognize the doomed craft."
"Doomed, indeed," chuckled the ober-lieutenant. "We are in position and I am about to fire. Be ready to drop the 'scope, von Schellen!"
But Dave Darrin, knocking von Schellen'shand away, seized the lever, forcing the periscope to rise to its full height above the conning tower. Nor did he stop there. With the mightiest twist and wrench of which he was capable he jammed the lever so that it could not be promptly operated to lower the periscope.
"Stop!" thundered von Schellen, leaping to his feet, his face purple with rage.
"I've stopped," assented Darry, smilingly, as he stepped back.
"Do you realize what you have done, scoundrelly Yankee?" hissed the ober-lieutenant, also rising and drawing his revolver.
"Of course I do," Dave smilingly assented.
"You have jammed the periscope. But at least we can dive when we need, for—there!"
With deft manipulation of a small device the German commander added:
"I have closed the valves of the 'scope, which will now admit no water if we dive. You did not succeed, Herr Darrin. But you will draw upon us the Yankee fire if yonder commander is now able to sight our scope."
As if to verify the statement a muffled sound came to them through the water. Glancing down swiftly at the table von Schellen saw that reflected which caused him to exclaim:
"The Yankee destroyer has opened upon us with her forward port gun. And there goes the starboard gun!"
Von Schellen, at a nod from his chief, signalled the orders for diving. The ober-lieutenant saw the "Reed," as pictured on the white table, come steaming toward the submarine at full speed.
"You idiot!" raged the German commander. "Your treachery has betrayed us, and now the Yankee will do his best to sink us and drown all on board here."
"That's what I'm praying right now he'll do!" cried Dave Darrin, his face radiant with the glory of the thought.
"Andwhat about the woman we have on board?" demanded the ober-lieutenant, hurriedly. "Would you destroy her, too—cause her, if you could, to die the death of drowning helplessly?"
"I—I had forgotten her," Dave confessed.
But from the passageway came a prompt response.
"Never mind me," called Mrs. Launce. "I have heard, and I, also, pray to see this pirate craft destroyed before it can accomplish any morewickedness and destruction. My own death does not matter!"
"Silence, woman!" cried the ober-lieutenant, glaring at Mrs. Launce.
"Mrs. Launce has spoken, and has no more to say," broke in the unruffled voice of Caleb Launce.
"Is that the way you address women when they are helpless?" Dave demanded, tauntingly.
"When they take part in conversations without being asked," the German answered, curtly.
"I have heard it was a way with the naval men of your country," Dave drove back, tauntingly.
Von Schellen reported:
"We are now sixty feet below the surface, and headed west by southwest. Any further orders?"
"None," replied the commander. "Keep to the course until I direct it to be changed."
With a stiff salute von Schellen turned and vanished.
"Your Yankee friend shall not catch us this time," jeered the ober-lieutenant. "Listen! Can you hear his propellers? We are going directly away from him."
"He will catch you, in the end," Darrin retorted, "or some other comrade will. I know how many of your craft our Navy has put out of commission, and I know how many our Allies have destroyed."
"But you do not know how many submarines we have left, nor how fast we are building them," mocked the German commander.
"Do not be too sure of that," Dave retorted. "It may be that our information is more exact than you suspect."
"Have you anything definite to say on that subject?" demanded the ober-lieutenant, regarding his prisoner attentively.
"Naturally not."
"Then, as I shall be busy, will you be good enough to return to the bounds set for you?"
Dave bowed, turned and re-entered the passage-way. The German naval officer's manner toward him had not been insulting. There was an evident effort to treat Darrin with the outward show of respect that should be accorded to a prisoner of his rank. Yet Dave knew that his enemy hated him.
Mr. and Mrs. Launce were in the passage-way, and Captain Kennor could be heard stirring in his cabin.
"Mr. Darrin, we are now at good depth under water?" inquired Mr. Launce.
"Yes, sir; I believe so. We are not to be caught and destroyed just yet."
"That I am sorry to hear," replied the lawyer, gravely.
"And, I, too, am sorry," spoke up Mrs. Launce."Life has been sweet to me, but I would much rather be dead than a captive in Germany. I condole with you, Mr. Darrin, that it was not possible for you to bring about the destruction of this wretched craft."
"It will, before long, go the way of the other German submarines," Dave assured her, hoping that there were enemy eavesdroppers who would overhear and understand.
At best exercise in this narrow short passage was a farce, though it was often more agreeable to be out here than sitting in the cramped space of one of the tiny sleeping cabins. The four prisoners rested, or moved listlessly about, until the evening meal was ready. Then Captain Kennor was summoned to eat with the petty officers, while Dave and his English companions received word to join the craft's officers in the tiny wardroom.
Mr. Launce glanced at Dave with a questioning look.
"Really, Mr. Darrin, I would as soon starve as eat with those German officer fellows, and my wife feels as I do about it."
"And my idea is the same," Dave answered.
So Mr. Launce turned to the German mess servant, delivering in German a message to the effect that the three prisoners did not care to join the officers at mess.
Thereupon von Schellen came out.
"What is the matter?" he asked.
"We don't care to eat with you, sir," Mr. Launce replied, bluntly.
"Oh, very well," replied the junior officer, carelessly. "You three, then, may eat at second table after we are pleased to be through."
Clicking his heels and wheeling, the junior officer went back to the wardroom. The three prisoners waited more than an hour before the same mess attendant came and beckoned them to enter.
They were alone, now, save for the presence of the ober-lieutenant, who was seated at one end of the table writing. He did not look up as they entered and seated themselves.
The meal set out was a coarse one, in quality of food, but there was plenty of it. The three prisoners ate slowly, almost in silence, nor did they address their host.
Before the meal was over the German commander left the room without word or sign to his guests.
"Why, the boat has stopped!" exclaimed Mrs. Launce, in a low voice, some three minutes later. "Are we resting on the bottom?"
"I think I shall soon be able to answer you," Darrin replied.
Soon machinery began to rumble.
"We are on the surface," said Dave, laying down knife and fork. "We are recharging batteries."
Mrs. Launce leaned forward to whisper:
"Then surely there is some chance that one of our own craft will hear the racket. We may be fired upon and sunk, do you not think?"
"You are eager for death?" Dave asked, studying her face.
"Yes. I prefer death to being taken to Germany."
"And I, too," Dave nodded.
"Have they anything against you there?" Mrs. Launce whispered, after glancing about her.
"Only, I believe, that I brought about the capture and execution of one of their most valuable spies."
"That would be enough," whispered Mr. Launce. "For that the Germans would not openly try and execute you, but they will find other ways to bring about your death."
Instantly it occurred to Darrin that, evidently, some one in official Germany knew of something to bring against Mrs. Launce, for her question to Darrin had indicated as much.
As they sat there at the table the young American officer noted that the submarine rolled hardly at all. It was plain that the recent gale had subsided, for the slight rocking of the boat indicated only a gentle swell on the surface of the sea.
In the doorway appeared Lieutenant von Schellen. In his right hand, steadied by his left, was what looked like an album. Glancing up from a page the junior officer remarked, with quick speech and decided emphasis:
"You are the Countess of Denby."
By a great effort the Englishwoman turned slowly, glancing at the German.
"Ah!" she exclaimed. "You have another woman prisoner? You are bringing her here. I am sorry that she is in your hands."
"Youare the Countess of Denby!" von Schellen charged again, once more levelling his accusing finger at her. "And you, sir," shifting the direction of his finger to point at the supposed Mr. Launce, "are the Earl of Denby!"
"I have risen in the world since I went to sea!" jested the Englishman.
"We know who you are, now," von Schellen continued, with brutal bluntness, "and we know as much more about you as we need. We know of the Admiralty office that you visited, and we know the information that you two were expected to gather along the Kiel Canal when you should have entered Germany! Oh, you will soon understand that we have most excellent information from England! You journeyed to Denmark on a poor old tramp steamer, under assumednames and with fraudulent passports furnished by your government. From Denmark you were to work your way to Holland, and thence into Germany, which country you would enter with still other passports furnished you in Holland. We know all about the noble pair of Denby! Of course you will deny this, but save your denials for use before a German court!"
Having said which von Schellen turned and left them. The Englishman and woman gave each other a swift, horrified glance, then lowered their eyes. As they looked up again Dave sent them a swift glance of sympathy, but there was a look of defiant pride on the Englishwoman's face.
The same thought was in the minds of all three. Von Schellen or some other German had been eavesdropping near enough to hear the whispered conversation that had taken place.
That was a fair ruse for use in war-time. Darrin, as he looked at the English pair, felt sure that they really were the Earl and Countess of Denby.
From the cabin under the conning tower came a chorus of hoarse laughter. The Englishwoman's swift look said plainly:
"They are laughing over the discovery that they have made."
After that, gloom fell upon the trio. Darrinhad never heard, before, of the Earl of Denby. Later he learned that the Earl had led a recluse's life among books until the war began. About that time he had married a young noblewoman, and the pair had gone promptly into effective war work, though not in ways that caused their portraits to be published in the illustrated weeklies.
Von Schellen re-appeared five minutes later, casting first a look of triumph at the English couple, next turning to Dave.
"The American officer may take the air briefly on deck if he so desires," said the German. "It is by gracious permission of the commanding officer."
Darrin's first impulse was to decline, unless his companions were included. He changed his mind, however, for he had an intense desire to find out, if possible, in what waters the craft now was. So he rose, bowing to his table companions, and followed von Schellen to the conning tower ladder. Here he passed Herr Ober-Lieutenant and bowed stiffly.
"I am trusting you on deck," said the latter, with a frown. "It is a courtesy. Do not abuse it by any untoward conduct."
Then Dave followed his conductor up into the tower, von Schellen all the while keeping sharp lookout to see that Darrin did not attempt to doany damage to the levers on the indicator board.
Von Schellen, preceding him to the deck, turned to say, as Darrin reached the platform:
"Observe. Your desperate trick did not harm us for long. You will note that the periscope is again lowered. In fact, a new one has been put in its place. We have tested the new periscope and its bearings, and have found that they work perfectly. Your treachery, with which you repaid the commanding officer's courtesy, did not avail you much."
Darrin did not reply. Instead, he turned to survey the night on all sides. Overhead were heavy clouds, obscuring the light of the moon, which, in its present phase, would have furnished considerable light over the waters. There was a fine mist in the air, but the sixth sense of the sailor warned Dave not to expect rain tonight.
Despite the cloudiness, however, one could see for a considerable distance over the slightly rolling sea. There was no other craft in sight.
"You do not see much hope," mocked von Schellen. "We have chosen a quiet part of the sea, as you will notice."
"You usually try to do that, don't you?" Dave asked, in a tone of ordinary curiosity.
"You must know," laughed the junior officer. "You have spent months pursuing our submarines."
"And have had some success in catching them," Dave answered.
Von Schellen's laugh was bitter as he rejoined:
"Ah! You are a good boaster! But do not go too far, Herr Darrin! Do not make me wish to strike you!"
"I wouldn't care how soon you struck me," Darrin smiled, "provided I could be assured of a fair field and no favor in defending myself. But I think we are going too far in our talk, are we not, when one considers the consideration that a captor must show to a prisoner of war. As a gentleman you cannot strike me; nor, as a gentleman, can I seek to provoke you to do so. The situation is one calling for tact, Herr Lieutenant."
"And I cannot forget that you are taking occasion to remind me of the fact," retorted von Schellen, a dark look coming into his face.
"Then may I, as the prisoner of war, ask that the subject be changed?" Dave Darrin suggested.
"By all means," von Schellen returned, quickly, though he was able to perceive that the American had again succeeded in putting him in the wrong.
Just a moment later a petty officer appeared on deck. Taking two or three steps toward the junior officer he halted, saluted, and then remained standing at attention, as though waiting.
Von Schellen stepped over to the man, and aconversation followed in low tones, but did not last long.
"If you care to remain on deck and watch," said the junior lieutenant, "you will see something that may interest you."
Justbehind the conning tower a jointed steel mast was raised and stepped by three seamen who came at the petty officer's order.
Farther astern a narrow, ledge-like trapdoor of steel was raised, and from this was taken and stepped another steel jointed mast. The seamen now worked quickly in rigging aerial wires in place. In a very short time the work was completed, and the petty officer saluted von Schellen.
"You cannot fail to understand what we are doing," hinted the young German officer.
"You are about to send or receive radio messages, I take it," Dave replied.
"You have been told, of course, that we always report our whereabouts after dark?"
"Yes, it is common knowledge with the Allies," Dave admitted. "And also that you receive instructions from the home offices of your Admiralty."
There was a crackling sound on the aerials, followed by others, some short, some long.
"A wonderful invention, is it not?" asked von Schellen, with satisfaction.
"Yes, and first developed outside of Germany," Dave bantered, good-humoredly.
"True enough, but we have known how to take the radio and adapt it to all our needs," retorted von Schellen.
"Your operator is now reporting your whereabouts, of course."
"That would seem likely, wouldn't it?" the other demanded.
"And then you will receive information."
"Yes; and sometimes we have even messages for our men from their homes," laughed von Schellen. "More! I have even had tender messages from my sweetheart! And have answered them in kind!"
For a moment Dave stared in astonishment. He knew von Schellen for a truly heartless brute. The idea that any woman could love this fellow came almost as a shock. And that Schellen could have any tender feelings! Wonders would never cease.
"Of what are you thinking, if I may ask?" the German went on.
"After information coming to you," Darrin hinted, "it almost goes without saying that you receive your orders."
"Surely we receive them," nodded the German, "if we happen to need any. But in our line of professional work, after we have received information we do not often need orders. We know how to use our information."
"Of course," Dave went on, "any other radio operator who is within hearing distance can pick up your messages, so you do not send them in open German but use a code, or rather, a series of codes."
"If your radio men have ever picked up any of our messages," retorted the young German, "you must know that you were not able to decipher their meaning."
"We could not always decipher them," Darrin admitted.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Why, it is possible, of course, that sometimes we and our Allies have some keys to the German use of code messages."
"You assert that?" questioned von Schellen, rather eagerly.
"No, and I do not deny it, either," Dave smiled.
"You are interesting, but discreet," complained the German, banteringly.
"And I may say as much of you," Dave continued. "Naturally, you know some things that you would not tell me, and I know a few things that I would not dream of telling you."
"And, instead, you hint at things that are not so, and perhaps I do about the same thing," returned von Schellen.
After that silence fell for some minutes. Dave walked back and forth, the junior officer watching him keenly.
Overhead the crackling at the aerials continued, with occasional intervals of silence when the operator below was busy receiving messages.
Again a petty officer approached von Schellen, saluting and reporting in an undertone.
"It is time for you to go below," announced von Schellen, turning to Dave.
"I appreciate very much this opportunity to take the fresh air," Dave said, politely, as he turned toward the conning tower.
"Oh, I guess you're welcome," said the lieutenant, shortly, and with a meaning smile, "though sometimes there is such a thing as too much outdoor life."
To Darrin's mild astonishment, as he stepped below, a folding table had been set up, and around this were seated the ober-lieutenant and two other officers, one of them an engineer. Von Schellen, at a nod from his chief, made the fourth at the table.
Into this cabin were brought the English couple and the Danish master. Several sailors stood about. The occasion began to take on a formal look, which was heightened when the ober-lieutenant laid on the table a small sheaf of papers.
"First of all, you, Herr Darrin," began the ober-lieutenant. "There can be no doubt that you are Darrin?"
Dave thrust a hand in under his sheepskin, bringing to light a card-case. From it he withdrew a pasteboard which he laid on the table.
"That is my card," he said.
The ober-lieutenant studied it deliberately, then passed it to another officer as he continued:
"And you do not deny that it was you who captured Ober-Lieutenant von Bechtold of the Imperial German Navy. You were the principal witness against him when he was tried in Britain for being a spy?"
"I do not deny it, sir."
"That is all. You may step back."
As Darrin drew back he could not escape the feeling that two of the seamen near him regarded him as being their especial prisoner.
"And now, the Earl and Countess of Denby," called the ober-lieutenant.
The English couple remained as motionless and appeared as unconcerned as though they had not heard.
"You two, I mean," insisted the ober-lieutenant, turning to them.
"Oh," said the man, and stepped forward, his wife following him.
The ober-lieutenant eyed the pair impressively before he asked them:
"You do not deny that you are the Earl and Countess of Denby?"
"No," replied the man.
"Ah! Then you admit it?"
"No," he said, promptly.
"But either you must be, or you cannot be, the noble couple whom I have named. Which is it?"
"That is for you to determine," replied the man.
"But what do you say yourselves?"
"Nothing."
"But you must answer my question!" the commanding officer insisted angrily.
"You fatigue me," declared the man.
"You have not answered my question, and won't?"
"We have nothing to say."
Frowning, the ober-lieutenant whispered to a petty officer, who had placed on the table the same album that von Schellen had brought to the wardroom door. The commanding officer opened the album, pointing to two photographs that adorned a page.
"These are your photographs, are they not?"he demanded, glancing up at the pair. But no reply came from them.
"At least," said the ober-lieutenant, stiffly, "you have been given abundant opportunity to deny, and have declined to do so. Our imperial government has had sufficient information that you two have recently entered the British secret service. It is even known to the imperial government that you two recently undertook to penetrate into Germany, under even another assumed name than Launce, and that you planned to spy upon what was to be learned along the Kiel Canal. You even had some of your arrangements made for performing that seemingly very difficult piece of spy work. You have been charged, and you refuse to deny. It is the same as a confession on your parts. The Earl and Countess of Denby will stand aside."
Two sailors, at a sign from the ober-lieutenant, drew the English pair back.
"Martin Kennor, once master of the Danish freight steamer 'Rigsdak!'" called the commander.
Promptly the Danish skipper stood forward.
"There can be no doubt at all that you answer the description just given?" demanded the ober-lieutenant.
"None vatever," agreed Kennor.
"The only fault to be found with you," continued the ober-lieutenant, "is that you had the misfortune to be found in such company, and that later on your tongue might prove too long and ready. That is all!"
Von Schellen, again on his feet, signalled to some of the seamen, then said:
"The prisoners will follow me."
To the amazement of all he led the way to the conning tower. After him the sailors herded the four prisoners of war. They ascended the ladder, the Englishwoman being the last of the four. Her husband and Captain Kennor assisted her as she stepped through the manhole to the deck outside.
"But this is unkind," she declared, with a shiver. "My husband and I have not our outer wraps, and the night is chilly."
"I will mention the matter," replied von Schellen, stiffly.
The wireless masts and aerials had disappeared. As the four passengers stood on the deck and wondered, the seamen entered the submarine through the manhole in the wake of von Schellen. When the last of them had gone into the conning tower the junior lieutenant re-appeared at the manhole to call:
"A pleasant evening for four!"
Then the manhole cover was closed and there came to those on deck a muffled sound connected with fastening it on the inside.
"What does this new insolence mean?" cried the Englishwoman.
"If you do not guess, you must soon know," replied her husband, throwing an arm about her. It was then that Mrs. Launce understood. She turned pale, but did not cry out.
Perhaps a full minute passed before the submarine began to move forward. Dave Darrin, familiar with the sounds from below, knew that the rumble of machinery coming to his ears was caused, not by the engines used in surface running, but by the electric motors employed when running under water.
"The brutes are going to drown us, as they did the hapless sailors they took from our boat!" gasped the Englishwoman.
"Yes, my dear," replied her husband, "and you have said that you would prefer drowning to being a prisoner in Germany."
"I still say it," she answered quietly.
"We are to have our wish," said her husband.
Dave Darrin remained immobile; Captain Kennor shrugged his shoulders without speaking.
The prow of the craft dipped into the water, which soon came creeping up around their ankles. The forward deck was now out of sight, the water in which they stood rising toward their knees.