“How many trips you make?”
“This was my first on a transport,” said Tom.
“Huh. You make Brest? Vere?”
“It wasn’t Brest,” said Tom, “and I ain’t supposed to tell you.”
“Vell, I ain’t supposed to rescue you neither.”
“If you’d asked me before you rescued me, even then I wouldn’t of told you,” said Tom simply.
“Huh. You talk beeg. Look out!”
And still he twirled his mustache.
“Dey catch a spy, huh?”
“Yes, they did,” said Tom, feeling very much ashamed and wondering how his questioner knew. Then it occurred to him that this very U-boat had perhaps been watching for the signal light, and it gave him fresh satisfaction to remember that he had perhaps foiled this man who sat there twirling his mustache.