At Santiago de Cuba, when Tom and Ned were standing near the gangway, watching the officers returning from shore leave, for the ship was to proceed soon, after a two days' stay, the young inventor started as he noticed a military man walking aboard.
"Look, Ned!" he exclaimed, in a low voice.
"Where?"
"At that man—an officer in civilian dress, I should judge—haven't you seen him before?"
"I have, Tom. Now, where was it? I seem to remember his face; and yet he wasn't dressed like this the last time I saw him."
"I guess not, Ned. He had on a uniform then."
"By jinks! I have it. That German officer—von Brunderger! That's he!"
"You're right, Ned. And he's got his servant with him, I guess," and Tom nodded toward a stolid German who was carrying the other's suitcase.
"I wonder what he's doing aboard here?" went on our hero's chum.
"We'll soon know," spoke Tom. "He's seen us and is nodding. We might as well go meet him."