All eyes were turned inquiringly upon the unobtrusive gentleman with the four gold rings round his sleeves.
"Yes," he said quietly, "it's perfectly true. The three German officers of the submarine are now on their way to Donnington Hall and the men are in the temporary prison hulk moored up the river."
Before he returned to the Knat Lawless gloomily wrote a "chit" wherein he assigned to the skipper of the Cotswold his entire salary for the ensuing month.
CHAPTER VI
PRISONER OF WAR
One bright and cheerful summer morning Lawless sat in his favourite attitude on the bridge-rail of the Knat contemplating the distant coast-line with a far-away expression in his eyes. Despite the official regulations concerning the uniform to be worn by naval officers when on duty, his present attire left much to be desired. It consisted chiefly of blue serge trousers, a battered shooting cap, and a pink-striped pyjama jacket.
"I wonder," murmured the Lieutenant dreamily, "whether I could get short leave of absence. I'm just spoiling for a spell ashore and a mild bust-up."
Sub-Lieutenant Trent, who was standing near, volunteered no comment.
"I haven't been feeling very well lately," continued Lawless, "and I think I need a change."