“I give him credit for more sense than that,” said Lord Hastings.
“So do I,” said Jack, “at times. At other times he loses his head altogether.”
“Well, the best thing we can do is to wait and see what happens,” said Lord Hastings. “The only thing that worries me is that the German may prove more than a match for him should he overtake him.”
“I’ll leave it to Frank to get himself out of any trouble like that,” said Jack. “The only thing that I am afraid of is his hot-headedness.”
In the meantime, exert himself as he would, Frank realized that he was not lessening the distance between himself and the fugitive; but the lad was not one to give up the chase so easily. He gritted his teeth and muttered to himself:
“I’ll get him if I have to chase him all around the world.”
After a time Frank’s hopes arose, for a quick look ahead showed him that he had gained a trifle. This encouraging sign lent strength to his arms. He struck out more vigorously than before, as he realized that it was only a question of time until he overtook his quarry.
But what the lad did not know was that at that very instant the lookout on the nearest German warship had caught sight of the two swimmers. A shouted command aboard the German vessel, and a launch put off over the side and dashed rapidly toward the German officer in the water.
This Frank did not see, and so swam on in ignorance of the danger that threatened. Raising his eyes, a couple of minutes later he saw the German officer as he was picked up by the boat, and for the first time realized that he was in a ticklish situation.
“Great Scott!” he muttered to himself. “Why didn’t I keep my eyes open? I hope they are satisfied with saving him and let me alone.”