Unaware that he was being followed, the sailor made his way straight to the cabin of Second Lieutenant Taylor. There he gave a sharp, peculiar knock, and the door was immediately opened. The man disappeared inside.
“Something up,” whispered Frank to Jack. “Guess we had better find out what is going on in there.”
The second lieutenant’s cabin was in the after part of the vessel, and a window overlooked the deck. The window was lowered a trifle, permitting a gleam of light to stream across the deck.
The two boys approached and cautiously peered into the cabin. They saw Lieutenant Taylor and the sailor seated at a small table, on which were a bottle and glasses, and they could plainly overhear the conversation that passed between them.
“I don’t like this eavesdropping business, but it is up to us to learn what is going on,” whispered Jack.
“Right you are,” replied Frank. “This looks suspicious to me. What business do you suppose Lieutenant Taylor can have with a man we are bound to believe is a German spy?“
“It’s too much for me,” said Jack; “but if we listen we may overhear something worth while.”
The two boys became silent, and, with their eyes to the small open space at the top of the window, listened breathlessly.
“How is everything going?” they heard the sailor ask Lieutenant Taylor.
“As well as could be expected,” was the reply. “I haven’t been able to do anything yet, however, for Lord Hastings has received no definite information or instructions.”