WITH THE ENEMY.
"I am Captain Bernstorff," said Lord Hastings quietly, "and you?"
"Lieutenant Commander Von Rosten, sir," replied the other, who could not have been more than twenty-five years of age.
"Von Rosten, to be sure," replied Lord Hastings, affecting to recall the name. "Allow me to present my friends, who are at present acting as my officers."
He beckoned to Frank and Jack to approach.
"Lieutenant Papen," he said, introducing Jack; "and Lieutenant Bohring," indicating Frank.
The three acknowledged the introductions and then Lord Hastings continued:
"I suppose you are wondering how I come to be in command of the U-16?"
"I am, sir," was the reply.
"And also," continued Lord Hastings with a smile, "you are no doubt wondering just who I am anyway?"
"I must confess to that, too," answered the young German.
"Well, I can explain in a very few words," said Lord Hastings quietly. "In the first place, I carry a number—you know what I mean?"
The German nodded.
"The secret service," he said quietly.
Lord Hastings gave him a glance of approval and the young man flushed.
"Exactly," replied Lord Hastings. "My friends here also carry numbers. They are young, as you see, but they have proved themselves more than once in His Majesty's service."
The young German bowed again.
"Now," continued Lord Hastings, "I shall take up the little matter of how I happen to be in command of the U-16 and the unfortunate fate of Captain Tarlenhein."
"Fate!" exclaimed Von Rosten.
"It is only too true," muttered Lord Hastings sorrowfully. "But he died as a loyal servant of the Emperor. I shall explain."
"If you will," said the young German.
"Under command of Captain Tarlenhein," said Lord Hastings, "the U-16, as you may possibly know, has been in the Irish Sea, and, at one time or another, off the mouth of the Thames. Whether you knew it or not, Captain Tarlenhein also carried a number. There was work to be done in England.
"Of course, we already had our agents there—in fact, I was one of them, and my two friends here. We were instructed to report to Captain Tarlenhein aboard the U-16 at a certain time. We did so, the vessel at that time lying off the Thames. Captain Tarlenhein had other instructions for us. We went ashore again and there encountered trouble. We were captured.
"In London we were being taken to The Tower, when we all made a break for liberty right in the middle of the city. Captain Tarlenhein was shot down. The rest of us escaped. Through the instrumentality of my peculiar resemblance to a British naval officer, we overcame numerous difficulties, although my young friends here almost came to grief. It was here that my striking resemblance to this British officer of whom I speak enabled them to get away. We were, of course, dressed in British uniforms, but the haste of another agent of the Emperor almost caused our undoing."
The German officer had followed this account with interest. Apparently he was much wrapped up in the narrative. He clenched his hand as Lord Hastings paused.
"And who was this agent?" he demanded.
"An Englishman," replied Lord Hastings slowly. "An Englishman known as Davis. He almost spoiled it all. However, we at length managed to escape in spite of Davis—I don't know what has become of him—and made our way, after many perils, to where the U-16 still awaited the return of its commander.
"And what was our surprise, when we went aboard, to find it occupied by two British officers and several British sailors. Fortunately for us, these British officers—lazy dogs—were sleeping at their posts and we pounced upon them and tumbled them overboard, all but three; whom we kept as a crew, our own men having been taken prisoners by the enemy. That was only yesterday, and here we are."
Lord Hastings paused.
"You have indeed had a hard time," said the young German. "But I am glad to know you, all three of you. About this man Davis. I have a man aboard my ship who might possibly be the same. He says his name is Davis, and he is an Englishman; but I have placed no faith in his story. He is a shifty-eyed scoundrel. I picked him up off the British coast about two weeks ago."
"He is undoubtedly the same," said Lord Hastings. "Also his story probably is true. I can vouch for the fact that he carries a number, and that he was recently in England."
"Will you and your men come aboard my vessel?" invited the young German. "I should be pleased to have you look at this man Davis. I have him in irons."
"We shall be pleased," Lord Hastings accepted. "But first we must go below and tie up these English sailors. We don't want them to get away."
The young German bowed, and Lord Hastings, Frank, and Jack went below.
Here Lord Hastings called the men to him and in a few words explained the situation. The men consented to be bound and the three tied them up, for, as Lord Hastings said, it was just as well to keep up appearances.
Before returning on deck Lord Hastings also issued a few sharp commands to Jack and Frank.
"Just keep your nerve and everything will turn out all right," he said.
"But Davis," exclaimed Frank. "He is likely to betray us."
"Don't you believe it," said Lord Hastings. "Von Rosten doesn't trust him very much and Davis will be sharp enough to know it. That's why I want to appear to be doing him a good turn. Besides, it will throw both of them off the track."
"I see," replied Frank. "I wouldn't have thought of that, sir."
Lord Hastings again led the way on deck and informed the young German commander that they were ready to accompany him aboard his vessel. The latter motioned them into the small boat ahead of him.
Ten minutes later they were all seated in Captain Von Rosten's own cabin. The German summoned his first officer.
"Have the prisoner brought here," he commanded.
A few moments later, Davis, still in irons, stood before them. He gave an exclamation of surprise when he glanced at the three Englishmen, and all knew that he recognized them. Lord Hastings thought it would be well to get in the first word.
"I see you recognize us," he said sharply.
"Well, I guess I do," returned Davis. "You are——"
"Never mind who we are," interrupted Lord Hastings. "Enough for you to know that you almost spoiled everything."
"What's that?" demanded Davis. "I almost spoiled everything? Me?"
"Yes, you," returned Lord Hastings quietly. "You and the Baron Blosberg, with your impatience. I don't suppose you know that we carry numbers, eh?"
"I didn't know you did," replied Davis. "These other two here," indicating Jack and Frank, "I surmised did, or else I was fooled. But the last time I saw you you wore a British uniform and seemed to be perfectly at home."
"Fortunately for the rest of you," commented Lord Hastings dryly. "Otherwise none of you would be here now."
Davis was apparently convinced.
"And did you have success?" he asked. "Have you solved the mystery of the——"
"Vanishing submarines?" interrupted Lord Hastings. "Yes. We have solved it."
Von Rosten sprang to his feet.
"Is it true?" he exclaimed eagerly. "The mystery has been solved?"
"It has," replied Lord Hastings quietly.
"And you can suggest means for overcoming it?"
"I can," replied Lord Hastings, and added: "At the proper time and place."
Von Rosten sat down and indicated Davis.
"Then you can vouch for this man?" he asked.
"Yes," replied Lord Hastings. "And I should be glad if you would release him. He is a traitor to his country and something of a bungler, but I can make use of him."
"Very well, sir," returned Von Rosten. "Then I shall turn him over to you."
"If you would be so kind," said Lord Hastings.
The German again summoned his first officer.
"Take the irons off this man," he commanded.
The first officer motioned for Davis to follow him.
"Return when you have been released," ordered Lord Hastings.
"Very well," said Davis.
He left the cabin.
"Now," said Lord Hastings to Von Rosten, "I would be glad if you could do a further favor for me?"
"Consider it granted if it is within my power," said the young German.
"Thanks," said Lord Hastings. "I should like to borrow half a dozen of your crew. As you know, I am short handed, and I have work to do."
The German hesitated, but only for a moment.
"Very well, sir," he returned. "I shall be glad to let you have them. Would you also wish me to take care of your British prisoners?"
"Oh, no," replied Lord Hastings with a gesture. "They are hard workers, with a little urging," and he smiled. "They may come in very handily."
"As you please," replied the German.
A third time he summoned his first officer.
"Pick twelve men of the crew and have them ready to go aboard the U-16 with Captain Bernstorff here," he commanded.
The officer saluted and withdrew.
"Now, is there anything further I can do for you?" asked Von Rosten.
"Nothing, thank you," replied Lord Hastings, "and, with your permission, as soon as Davis is freed of his shackles and the men are ready, I shall return to my own vessel. I have work to do."
The young German bowed.
Half an hour later Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank again trod the deck of the U-16. Davis and a crew of twelve German sailors also were aboard.
"And now," said Lord Hastings, "having dispensed with the formalities, it is time to get busy."