—as shown by the colours of the old Victorian postage stamps of the island.
"Stop!" exclaimed the German officer peremptorily. "You must not go below."
"Why not?" asked Hamerton coolly. "It is none too warm or pleasant standing out here in——"
And not knowing the German for "pyjamas", he pointed meaningly at the thin pink-and-white garment he wore.
"By order. You must not go below," replied the officer. "You will enter this boat, to be taken to be interviewed by the commandant of the fortress."
"But——" began Detroit indignantly.
"We can explain everything," said Hamerton. "We'll come out with you directly we get our clothes."
With that the Sub turned his back on the representatives of the Imperial German Navy, and made a step towards the companion hatchway, with a view to making himself more presentable and better attired for the depressing atmospheric conditions.
This laudable intention was nipped in the bud by a couple of bluejackets jumping out of their boat and agilely scrambling upon the Diomeda's cabin top.
For an instant Jack Hamerton's eyes glinted ominously. He was within an ace of knocking the intruders overboard but, recalling that such an act might be disastrous to his comrade and himself, he controlled his feelings with a strong effort.