“Good-evening, Mr. Topham!” it said, sweetly. “You’ve come in good time.” Lillian Byrd stood smilingly by, with Rutile beside her. As all eyes were turned on her. She went on. “Mr. Rutile let me out of the stateroom where the count had locked me. You didn’t know Mr. Rutile was on board, did you, Count?”
Helplessly Ouro Preto stared from one to the other. “Rutile!” he gasped. “You here?”
Rutile nodded. “Sure thing,” he remarked, genially. “Been on board for three weeks. Wireless operator, you know. Sorry, but the game’s up, old man. It is, really!”
“One moment!” A man whom no one had seen before stepped quickly into the middle of the group. Behind him stood half a dozen sailors.
Gravely he saluted. “Whom have I the honor of addressing?” he demanded, looking at Topham.
Topham returned the salute. “I am Commander Topham, of the United States Navy,” he answered, taking in the newcomer’s uniform as he did so. “And you, mein Herr.”
“I am Commander Metternich, of His Imperial Majesty’s ship Kaiserland. Captain Vreeland of the Kaiserland learned, through intercepted wireless messages, that the operator on this ship is a traitor. He therefore hastened here and sent me on board to demand his surrender. No one seemed to observe my arrival and I took the liberty of listening for a moment. What I have heard convinces me that the case is not so simple as I thought. I therefore take possession of this ship as a prize of His Imperial Majesty. The Kaiserland will escort her to Hamburg. If you so desire, sir, you may accompany her.”
Before the last word had fallen from the German’s lips, Topham stepped between him and Rutile. “Look sharp,” he hissed to the American. Then, facing the German, he flung out his hand. “I’m delighted to hear you, commander,” he declared! “Frankly, I didn’t know what to do with the yacht, which is clearly little better than a pirate, but your action solves everything. I can’t tell you how much I thank you.”
As he spoke, Topham pressed forward, crowding Metternich backward, apparently merely by excess enthusiasm. The latter gave way for a moment, though clearly bewildered by the American’s sudden excess of friendliness.
Suddenly a warning cry rang out. “Stop them! Quick!” yelled Ouro Preto. “He’s fooling you. He’s fooling you!”