A man from the small group behind the officer stepped forward, smiling.
“I was picked up by the fishing boat you probably saw when I swam away from the submarine you captured. They transferred me to this craft. We have since been looking for you.”
“Well, I’m glad to see you, anyway,” returned the lad. “But you couldn’t prevent our leaving Holland, even if you did try good and hard. Have you found that package yet?”
The smile quickly faded from the face of the other.
“No, I haven’t,” he answered in a low voice. “I find that you boys have gotten me into a lot of trouble, too.”
“Trouble?” puzzled Ned. “How have we done that?”
“By secreting that package,” explained Mackinder. “You see, I was detailed to duty on the Holland frontier. When I saw that package, and knew that you had recently come from the German lines, I assumed, of course, that it contained information for the German submarine that has been causing so much havoc amongst the English shipping. Without waiting for orders, I tried to follow you and gain possession of the object. Now it seems I am disobeying regulations by absenting myself from my post of duty without leave. Further, I was seen aboard or coming from a German vessel. Hence circumstances look bad for me. I’m due for a court martial as soon as we land at Margate, which must be close aboard by now.”
All were startled to hear a groan escape the man lying upon the mattress. He had raised himself upon one elbow.
“Oh, Robert!” he cried. “Not that!”