M.L. 1499 approached rapidly, then turning sixteen points to port, drew within hailing distance.
"What's wrong?" shouted Meredith through a megaphone.
"Nothing, as far as I know," replied Wakefield. "Why are you back so soon?"
"Ask me another," rejoined Kenneth. "I was afraid we had orders to pack up."
"I've heard nothing more about demobilisation," said Wakefield. "So it's not that."
"Who said there was nothing wrong?" inquired Cumberleigh, pointing with outstretched arm towards the German vessels. "They've hoisted their ensigns."
"So they have, by Jove!" exclaimed Meredith. "What does it mean? Surely the Peace Conference blokes haven't restored the ships to Germany? Wakefield, look! Germans have hoisted their colours."
Somewhere in the grey distance came the report of a gun, followed by another. A British destroyer was taking drastic measures to deal with the flagrant breach of Beatty's peremptory order.
"Whack her up!" ordered Meredith through the voice-tube. "All out."
The motor mechanics responded smartly. M.L. 1497 simply tore through the water.