"Thank you," said Captain Brookes, and, addressing the prisoner, continued, "Are you in a position to inform us where are the drawings and specifications relating to the 6in. shells?"
The accused turned a shade paler than before.
"In one of ze lockers in ze laboratory," he replied.
"If I send you to the laboratory under escort, can you produce them?"
"Hein! If zey are not zare zey haf been stolen," exclaimed Schneider. "Perhaps you haf hidden zem."
"They have been stolen, sir," rapped out the captain, harshly; "and by you. They were found in the cabin of the master of the Afrika by Lieutenant Slade. What have you to say to this?"
Schneider's limbs were trembling so violently that one of the seamen had to support him, otherwise he would have fallen to the deck.
"Well, gentlemen, your verdict?"
"Guilty on both counts."
"Mark Taylor, otherwise Schneider, you stand convicted on charges of desertion and treachery. With reference to the first crime I now admit that you are a German subject, and that I was in error in removing you from the protection of the German flag. However, the mischief is done, and I must abide the consequences, though I fear not the whole naval force of that Empire. As to your traitorous act, I can only point out that while in my pay and holding a position of trust on board this cruiser you wilfully betrayed your position as a responsible officer of the Olive Branch. In every community treachery against the supreme authority is punishable by death, and it is in my power to inflict that penalty upon you. As, however, your wretched crime has failed to achieve its object, and these drawings are again in our possession, I will waive the capital punishment. You are sentenced to solitary confinement, with sufficient exercise for the maintenance of your health, as long as the Olive Branch remains in commission. Remove the prisoner."