“I haven’t any doubt of that,” said Frank, “although it is against all rules of civilized warfare.”
“I do not claim that the Germans are conducting a civilized war,” said Lord Hastings quietly. “The tales of cruelties coming out of Belgium augur decidedly against that.”
At this juncture a fourth figure ascended to the bridge. It was that of the German prisoner.
He took in the situation at a glance, and turned to Lord Hastings with a faint smile.
“A victim of the blockade, I suppose?” he questioned.
Lord Hastings nodded.
“Looks like it,” he said briefly, “and an American ship at that.”
The German muttered an imprecation under his breath.
“I was afraid something like that would happen,” he said. “I never was in favor with the policy of torpedoing neutral ships, whether in the blockaded zone or not. To my way of thinking, no good can come of it.”
“I have an idea that no good for Germany will come from this,” said Lord Hastings.