With the accuracy of all their practice this one went as the rest had gone—harmlessly into the sea. The boat had dived once more. And Nicht had seen her do it!
This was Weiss Nicht’s final test. It had been conceived and executed magnificently and scientifically, and it had failed. He went on deck, and with powder-blackened face made the following report: “Sire, it cannot be done. And the sooner we get out of the vicinity of that machine, the more of this ship will be left. I saw it dive!”
But at that moment he noticed that he was speaking to Wahr and not Ruhet.
“Where is the admiral, sir?” he asked.
“I thought you were he,” said Wahr, with the evidence of guilt in his face.
“And I thought you were he,” cried the gunner’s mate, bravely.
“Where can he be?” said both.
Both were answered immediately by a groan from the middle of the ship—which sounded profane.
They found Ruhet there with a broken leg.
“Who broke my leg?” demanded Ruhet, savagely.