CHAPTER XV.
PLOTTING.
"Now," said Lord Hastings, "as soon as we have lost sight of our new friend, Von Rosten, we shall take a little trip to Ostend anyhow."
"What for, sir?" asked Frank.
"Oh, just to look about a little," was the reply. "We may be able to pick up a little useful information."
"And why didn't you tell Von Rosten you were bound there, sir?" Jack wanted to know.
"Well, for one reason, because I wanted to borrow a part of his crew," said Lord Hastings. "Had he known we were headed for Ostend he would have thought it strange that we didn't wait until we got there to get more men. Besides, I wouldn't want to try and get men there. It might prove embarrassing."
"Well, sir," remarked Frank, "that was quite a little story you concocted for his benefit."
"I flatter myself it wasn't so awfully bad," smiled Lord Hastings. "Of course, I might have done better if I had been given more time."
"It was pretty good for a quick one," Jack admitted. "But, what are we going to do with Davis, sir?"