"Still on board," replied the spy. "He's trying to evade capture."
"There is an alternative," remarked the ober-leutnant grimly. "He's welcome to it."
Making his way back to the outside of the conning-tower, von Preugfeld noted that his order concerning the sailing-boat had been carried out. Levelling his binocular, he scanned the shelving deck of the X-lighter. There was no sign of life on board X 5.
Ringing for half speed, von Preugfeld increased the distance between the U-boat and her prize to three hundred yards.
"Give her a round amidships!" he ordered.
The U-boat rolled sluggishly to starboard under the recoil of the gun. Almost simultaneously with the report of the weapon came the crash of exploding shell. Amidst a welter of foam and yellow smoke X 5 disappeared beneath the waves, leaving the water dotted with floating debris in the shape of buoyant articles released from her hold by the shattering of her hatches.
For a full half-minute the ober-leutnant kept the flotsam under observation; then, satisfied that his work of destruction had been accomplished in its entirety, and that to remain on the surface much longer after the roar of the explosion was hazardous, he turned to von Loringhoven.
"Down to twenty-five metres," he ordered. "Course due west at eight knots for ten minutes. Then let her sound."
Leaving the unter-leutnant to carry out his instructions, von Preugfeld made his way to the cabin where the returned spy awaited him.
"I hardly expected to see you so soon, Karl," he began. "I hope I haven't disturbed your elaborate plans."