“If she must live by such cowardly work as is done by her submarines, then she does not deserve to live,” Dan retorted. “I am not going to take advantage of your helplessness. I regard you as a man with a lost soul, and to that extent I am sorry for you. I wanted your view of your crimes, and could not forbear to express my own opinions. We know each other’s views, and do not need to talk further.”
The “Prince” had lain to again, for now she had overtaken the first of the boats from the foundered steamship. A gangway had been lowered and the men and women who had taken to the small boats were now coming up over the side.
“Which animal among them commanded the craft that sunk our ship?” demanded a woman hoarsely, as she eyed the sullen Germans. Dan pointed out Sparnheim.
“You killed several men and two women and a baby!” cried the woman, pointing an accusing finger at the quivering Sparnheim. “The baby was mine! One of the men that you murdered was my husband! May you never know another moment of happiness!”
“You murdered my husband.”
Beside herself, she tried to spring past the sailor guards to attack the fellow with her own hands.
Darrin came along just in time to take hold of one of her arms.
“Come, madam,” he urged, soothingly, “do not foul your hands by touching such a beast.”
“I wish I could have him hanged—the murderer!” cried the woman, passionately.