'We are British and French from Constantinople,' answered Captain Carrington, using the same language. 'We were aboard the Turkish transport "Bergaz" which was sunk earlier in the day by a British submarine.'
'Blitzen!' exclaimed the German angrily. 'Then the message was true after all. Those verdomde British have managed to pass the mine-fields.
'And where is the submarine?' he demanded savagely.
'She was forced to abandon us. One of your warships hove in sight.'
The German paused a moment. His eyes scanned the surface in every direction. But there was no sign of G 2's periscopes. Either she had gone under altogether, or withdrawn to such a distance that her periscopes were invisible in the mist.
'Train the gun on them,' growled the German officer. Then, raising his voice, 'If this is a trap, every one of you will pay for it with your lives.'
'I have told you the literal truth,' said Captain Carrington coldly. 'You can take us or leave us as you wish.'
Again the German hesitated.
'The safest way will be to haul off and sink them,' he said to a Turk who stood beside him. He spoke in Turkish, but Ken, of course, understood, and knowing the brutality of the average German officer, felt anything but happy.
Apparently the Turkish officer had different views, for after a short conversation the German gave an order, and the launch moved forward again.