"Enough, with what we have left on board, for only eight hundred miles run. It will not take us home, and we are under orders not to leave these waters before Friday next. We have been let down badly."
"I know that it is useless to express regrets," said Ramblethorne boldly. "I can only hope that other means of supplying the requisite fuel will be forthcoming. But here is another matter. We have had to secure two English lads, both sons of distinguished naval officers. Unfortunately they overheard a conversation between von Ruhle and myself. In the interests of the Secret Service it is absolutely necessary that they are kept out of the way for at least a couple of months. I am averse to doing them personal injury."
"Then what do you wish?" asked Kapitan Schwalbe.
"Take them on board with you. If possible, land them at a German port. If this be possible, you will realize that we have a strong tool to work with."
"I fail to understand," said the Kapitan of U75.
"They could be made good use of as hostages," resumed Ramblethorne. "If these English persist in talking about reprisals, we can hint that—well, it is unnecessary to go into details."
"I see," remarked Kapitan Schwalbe. "But if it is impossible to land them?"
"Then you must put them on board the first outward-bound tramp steamer you fall in with—provided she is bound for South American ports, or anywhere that will mean a long voyage."
"Very well," assented the submarine officer. "I quite understand your anxiety to get them out of the way."
"Temporarily, mind," added Ramblethorne.