“Yes,” was the reply, and the little boat drew closer.
A moment later a man in the uniform of the Russian navy stepped over the side and advanced toward Lord Hastings.
“Are you the commander of this vessel?” he asked.
Lord Hastings bowed.
“I am,” he replied.
“Then I demand to know, as you claim, and appear, to be English, why you fired upon us?”
“I told you,” said Lord Hastings quietly, “that we did not fire upon you. You were attacked by a German submarine, which we have just had the pleasure of sending to the bottom.”
The Russian officer looked skeptical.
“May I ask to see your papers?” he asked.
“You may,” replied Lord Hastings, now somewhat nettled, “but you won’t.”