“I can,” was the quiet reply. “Ever since the war broke out I have been learning things—and trying to learn more—and I have stored them up in my memory for just this chance. It has been my ambition to serve France and it makes me happy to think I can do so at last.”
“Good,” said Lord Hastings. “Then perhaps the best way will be for you to answer my questions.”
“Bien, Lord Hastings.”
“First, then, from what you have learned, where is the weakest spot in the fortifications—the spot that would be most susceptible to attack?”
“I can answer that quickly,” was the reply. “There is none.”
“The number of ships in the harbor?” was Lord Hastings’ next question.
“At the moment, seventy-two, cruisers, dreadnoughts and torpedo boats. The others are in the Kiel Canal, or in the Baltic.”
“And the number of men now stationed here?”
“I can’t answer that exactly, but the number is comparatively small. I can find out in the morning.”
“We’ll pass that for the moment, then. Is there a submarine base here, or do the underwater boats operate from Kiel?”