initial commit of ebook 23036HEAD main

author: Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> 2025-10-15 02:00:11 -0700
committer: Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> 2025-10-15 02:00:11 -0700
commit: 0e1e1fdc407cb5719c78460c7613eac50d2cb77a (patch)
tree: b48b1532bca915d665d1175f3141ea9c11b53ca4
274 files changed, 17567 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6833f05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitattributes
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+* text=auto
+*.txt text
+*.md text
diff --git a/23036-h.zip b/23036-h.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e095b5d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h.zip
diff --git a/23036-h/23036-h.htm b/23036-h/23036-h.htm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..53ed4ee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/23036-h.htm
@@ -0,0 +1,9848 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?>
+<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN"
+    "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd">
+
+<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
+  <head>
+    <title>
+      The Project Gutenberg eBook of Dave Darrin After The Mine Layers, by H. Irving Hancock.
+    </title>
+    <style type="text/css">
+/*<![CDATA[  XML blockout */
+<!--
+    p {  margin-top: .75em;
+         text-align: justify;
+         margin-bottom: .75em;
+         }
+    h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {
+         text-align: center; /* all headings centered */
+         clear: both;
+         }
+
+    hr                   {text-align: center; width: 50%;}
+    html>body hr         {margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 25%; width: 50%;}
+    hr.full              {width: 100%;}
+    html>body hr.full    {margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 0%; width: 100%;}
+    hr.short             {text-align: center; width: 20%;}
+    html>body hr.short   {margin-right: 40%; margin-left: 40%; width: 20%;}
+    table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 60%;}
+
+    body{margin-left: 10%;
+         margin-right: 10%;
+	 }
+
+   /* kludge to get around brain dead IE not understanding CSS */
+    div.centered {text-align: center;}
+    div.centered table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;}
+    img {border: none;}
+    .ctr {text-align: center;}
+    .linenum  {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */
+    .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;}
+    .pagenum  { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */
+            /*  visibility: hidden;  */
+                position: absolute;
+                left: 92%;
+                font-size: smaller;
+                text-align: right;
+              } /* page numbers */
+    .sidenote {width: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em;
+               padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: 1em;
+               float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 1em;
+               font-size: smaller; background: #eeeeee; border: dashed 1px;}
+
+    .bb       {border-bottom: solid 2px;}
+    .bl       {border-left: solid 2px;}
+    .bt       {border-top: solid 2px;}
+    .br       {border-right: solid 2px;}
+    .bbox     {border: solid 2px; margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%;}
+    .boxtext  {margin-left: 4%; margin-right: 4%;}
+
+    .center   {text-align: center;}
+    .right   {text-align: right;}
+    .smcap    {font-variant: small-caps;}
+
+    .figcenter   {margin: auto; text-align: center;}
+
+    ins.err {border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: thin; text-decoration: none;}
+    .tnote      {border: dashed 1px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em;
+                  padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;}
+    // -->
+    /* XML end  ]]>*/
+    </style>
+  </head>
+<body>
+
+
+<pre>
+
+Project Gutenberg's Dave Darrin After The Mine Layers, by H. Irving Hancock
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Dave Darrin After The Mine Layers
+
+Author: H. Irving Hancock
+
+Release Date: October 14, 2007 [EBook #23036]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVE DARRIN AFTER THE MINE LAYERS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Suzanne Lybarger, Brian Janes and the booksmiths
+at http://www.eBookForge.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+<p class="figcenter"><a href="./images/cover.jpg"><img src="./images/cover_th.jpg" alt="Cover" title="Cover" /></a></p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i"></a>[<a href="./images/i.png">i</a>]</span></p>
+
+<h1>Dave Darrin<br />
+After The Mine Layers</h1>
+<h5>OR</h5>
+<h2>Hitting the Enemy a Hard<br />
+Naval Blow</h2>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h5>By</h5>
+
+<h2>H. IRVING HANCOCK</h2>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h4>Author of "Dave Darrin at Vera Cruz," "Dave Darrin on<br />
+Mediterranean Service," "Dave Darrin's South American<br />
+Cruise," "Dave Darrin on the Asiatic<br />
+Station," "Dave Darrin and the<br />
+German Submarines,"<br />
+etc., etc.</h4>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h3>Illustrated</h3>
+
+<h3>P&ensp;H&ensp;I&ensp;L&ensp;A&ensp;D&ensp;E&ensp;L&ensp;P&ensp;H&ensp;I&ensp;A<br />
+HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY</h3>
+<hr />
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="figcenter"><a href="./images/front.jpg"><img src="./images/front_th.jpg" alt="&quot;Unbolt the door!&quot;" title="&quot;Unbolt the door!&quot;" /></a></p>
+<p class="figcenter">"Unbolt the door!"&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;<i>Frontispiece</i></p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii"></a>[<a href="./images/ii.png">ii</a>]</span></p>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1919, by<br />
+Howard E. Altemus</span></h3>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5"></a>[<a href="./images/5.png">5</a>]</span></p>
+
+<h2>CONTENTS</h2>
+
+<div class='centered'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Table of Contents">
+
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">Chapter I</a>&mdash;Weighing Anchor for the Great Cruise</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_11">11</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;</td><td align='left'>Dan is a business man. Sea orders in a jiffy. Anchors
+a-weigh. The mine-sweepers at work. In the torpedo's
+path. The Hun that slipped away. An indignant
+neutral skipper. "You vill do vat ve you tell&mdash;yes!"</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">Chapter II</a>&mdash;"The Accursed Power of Gold!"</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_30">30</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;</td><td align='left'>Dave dares Fate. A new "boss." Secret of the after-hold.
+Dave is disgusted. "Vat? Can't proof it you?"
+Sweeping for more evidence. The prize crew. The
+vanishing periscope.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">Chapter III</a>&mdash;A Fight of the Good Old Kind</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_41">41</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;</td><td align='left'>A fair hit. Distant firing. A real sea fight. The
+"Grigsby" turns tail. "Circle!" At deadly close
+quarters. Dan Dalzell scores. A stern chase. With
+the wounded.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">Chapter IV</a>&mdash;What a Floating Mine Did</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_55">55</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;</td><td align='left'>The liner in trouble. The flash of a mine. True to his
+trust. Seaman Streeter is busy. A deaf jacky. Not
+present or accounted for. Rescue work. Dan protests.
+Dave sets the pace. Out for sterner work.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">Chapter V</a>&mdash;Eyes That Looked Down from the Air</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_63">63</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;</td><td align='left'>Why the flash was seen. The "blimp" sighted. A
+question out of the air. New help. The sea hornet.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6"></a>[<a href="./images/6.png">6</a>]</span>
+A narrow squeak. "Laid an egg in your path." Blimp
+and limp. Seaman Hedgeby enjoys himself. "British
+hot air," and Dave gets a pal's share indeed. The story
+of a capture. In deadly peril.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">Chapter VI</a>&mdash;In the Teeth of the Channel Gale</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_78">78</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;</td><td align='left'>Dave turns real helper. "I thought we were goners!"
+Making the grapple again. The day's work of a mine-sweeper.
+In a boiling sea. Life lines up. "Commanding
+officer overboard!"</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">Chapter VII</a>&mdash;In the Hour of Despair</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_84">84</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;</td><td align='left'>The vanishing destroyer. Hope, then despair. The
+meeting of searchlights. Fighting pluck. The rope
+from somewhere. Looped! "Ugh!" The big sleep.
+The "Rigsdak." A cowboy Dane.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">Chapter VIII</a>&mdash;Dave Meets the Fate of the Sea</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_95">95</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;</td><td align='left'>From the pages of the Arabian Nights. Mr. and Mrs.
+Launce. The shattering jar. To the boats! No enemy
+in sight. The gray tower. The hail and a bad time of
+it. Dave stands revealed. A German prisoner at last!</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">Chapter IX</a>&mdash;Threats to a Prisoner</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_103">103</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;</td><td align='left'>What the Danes "got." The chorus of terror. The
+ober-lieutenant talks. The inquisition. Talk of courtesy.
+Dave turns stiff. "Where have I heard that
+name before?" "Things will go badly with you when
+you arrive in Germany!"</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">Chapter X</a>&mdash;Like the French and English</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_109">109</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;</td><td align='left'>Captain Kennor is polite. A look-in at the periscope.
+"Yankee meat." Dave is tricky. Shots and a threatened
+ramming. "You idiot!" Dave plays for his own
+finish.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7"></a>[<a href="./images/7.png">7</a>]</span><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">Chapter XI</a>&mdash;A Victim of Courtesy</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_115">115</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;</td><td align='left'>What of the woman? Mrs. Launce speaks for herself.
+The game of cross-bluff. An invitation bluntly refused.
+The turn of the prisoners. On the surface. "You are
+eager for death." The mystery of the Launces. "You
+are the Countess of Denby!" "Save your denials for
+use before a German court." Dave invited on deck.
+"You are a good boaster." Something to interest him.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">Chapter XII</a>&mdash;German Brutality at Its Worst</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_126">126</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;</td><td align='left'>Radio direct to Germany. Could any woman love this
+fellow? Dave expresses thanks to the enemy. "My
+card." The same as confession. "A pleasant evening
+for four!" The wild brutes of the sea.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">Chapter XIII</a>&mdash;Facing the Planned Death</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_135">135</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;</td><td align='left'>The dropping platform. Adrift! Captain Kennor, sea
+scout. A splendid inspiration. A bully for safety.
+The tantalizing craft. A glow-worm of the waves.
+And then&mdash;! Like a dream. A bad report.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">Chapter XIV</a>&mdash;Dave Pledges His Word for Results</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_146">146</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;</td><td align='left'>Just hospital. A treat for Dave's eyes. Days of bliss.
+"You little patriot!" Back to duty. "The Germans
+are beating us." The council of war. Dave's campaign
+map. Planning the Big Hunt. Something new&mdash;results.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">Chapter XV</a>&mdash;Darrin Suspects the German Plan</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_155">155</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;</td><td align='left'>Sweeping as a fine art. Nosing out the unseen. The
+"Grigsby" nearly blown out of the water. A wild
+Yankee cheer. Touching off a nest of "sea eggs." The
+job of the divers. The double find. Guessing the mine-layers'
+trick. The "Reed" starts something.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8"></a>[<a href="./images/8.png">8</a>]</span><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">Chapter XVI</a>&mdash;Hitting Close to the Salt Trail</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_164">164</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;</td><td align='left'>The non-fighting Huns. A tame capture. Not so
+tame! What the search showed. "Spot the stupid
+ones." Questioning Herr Dull-wit. The trap that
+worked. German bad language.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">Chapter XVII</a>&mdash;Trying Out the Big, New Plan</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_173">173</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;</td><td align='left'>The admiral approves. Off for the real thing. Stirring
+up a tidal wave. Knowing how to get the thrills out
+of life. Trying to run up the score. The traveller in
+the haze. A ship of mystery and shots.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">Chapter XVIII</a>&mdash;Striking a Real Surprise</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_183">183</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;</td><td align='left'>"Leave the steamship to me." The shot across the
+bow. A shooting game for two. "You're dealing
+with the United States Navy!" Darrin proves himself.
+Irons for three. The summons that worked. A
+tough lot to handle. Juno of the Cabin. A deadly
+one, too.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">Chapter XIX</a>&mdash;The Good Work Goes on</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_192">192</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;</td><td align='left'>Dave takes a chance. So does Juno. The all-right
+cargo. Who can the woman be? Dalzell has a fine
+report. Story of the sub-hold. Mother and daughter
+no longer mysteries. "The best in a six-month!"</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">Chapter XX</a>&mdash;Darrin Turns the Tables</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_204">204</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;</td><td align='left'>Weather the ship master dreads. "Look at that!"
+Getting the drop on Fritz. Old acquaintances. Dave
+is angry. The German whine. Not man enough to
+play the game. "Why do you hate us Germans
+so?" Ever at Fate's orders.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">Chapter XXI</a>&mdash;On a Mission of Great Trust</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_215">215</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;</td><td align='left'>The sport of kings. "Don't shoot!" begs Danny Grin.
+The dull wait and the sharp dash. Out to meet the
+hospital ship. "One of the passengers is Mrs. Darrin."
+"A special interest."</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9"></a>[<a href="./images/9.png">9</a>]</span><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">Chapter XXII</a>&mdash;The Red Cross Tragedy</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_222">222</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;</td><td align='left'>The Navy and family matters. Under treble lookout.
+Sighted. Big pay for a periscope. A wail of anguish.
+The race of rescue. S. O. S. The sight of Belle.
+Crowded decks. Two compartments smashed in.
+<ins class="err" title="Transcriber's Note: original reads '&apos;">"</ins>No use, sir."</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">Chapter XXIII</a>&mdash;A Noble Fight without Weapons</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_230">230</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;</td><td align='left'>Marine patchwork. Not enough rescue to go around.
+"Those Red Cross women ought to be saved." But
+they decline. Dave approves. An answer to S. O. S.
+The fight to survive. The nurses admit defeat. The
+lurking peril.</td><td align='left'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">Chapter XXIV</a>&mdash;Conclusion</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_244">244</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><span class="smcap"><a href="#HENRY_ALTEMUS_COMPANYS">Henry Altemus Company's Best and Least Expensive Books for Boys and Girls</a></span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_253">253</a></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10"></a>[<a href="./images/10.png">10</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11"></a>[<a href="./images/11.png">11</a>]</span></p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<h1>DAVE DARRIN</h1>
+
+<h1>AFTER THE MINE LAYERS</h1>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2>
+
+<h4>WEIGHING ANCHOR FOR THE GREAT CRUISE</h4>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">It</span> sounds like the greatest cruise ever!" declared
+Danny Grin, enthusiastically, as he
+rose and began to pace the narrow limits of
+the chart-room of the destroyer commanded by
+his chum, Lieutenant-Commander Dave Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>"It is undoubtedly the most dangerous work
+we've ever undertaken," Darrin observed
+thoughtfully.</p>
+
+<p>"All the better!" answered Dan lightly.</p>
+
+<p>"In our drive against the submarines off the
+Irish coast," Dave continued, "we met perils
+enough to satisfy the average salt water man.
+But this&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Is going to prove the very essence and joy
+of real fighting work at sea!" Dan interposed.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you old fire-eater!" laughed Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>"Not a bit of a fire-eater," declared Dalzell with
+dignity. "I'm a business man, Davy. Our business,
+just now, is to win the war by killing Germans,
+and I've embarked upon that career with
+all the enthusiasm that goes with it. That's all."</p>
+
+<p>"And quite enough," Darrin added, soberly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12"></a>[<a href="./images/12.png">12</a>]</span>
+"I agree with you that it's our business to kill
+Germans, yet I could wish that the Germans
+themselves were in better business, for then we
+wouldn't have to do any killing."</p>
+
+<p>"You talk almost like a pacifist," snorted Dan
+Dalzell.</p>
+
+<p>"After this war has been won by our side, but
+not before, I hope to find it possible to be a
+pacifist for at least a few years," smiled Darrin,
+rising from his seat at the chart table.</p>
+
+<p>Dan stood looking out through the starboard
+porthole. His glance roved over other craft of
+war tugging at their anchors in the goodly harbor
+of a port on the coast of England. As the destroyer
+swung lazily at her moorings the little
+port town came into view. On all sides were
+signs of war. Forts upreared their grim walls.
+Earthen redoubts screened guns that alert artillerymen
+could bring into play at a moment's notice.
+Overhead, dirigibles floated and airplanes
+buzzed dinfully to and fro.</p>
+
+<p>Readers of the preceding volume in this series
+know how Dave Darrin came to be ordered to
+the command of the brand-new, big and up-to-the-minute
+destroyer, "Asa Grigsby," while Dan
+Dalzell, reaching the grade of lieutenant-commander,
+had been ordered to the command of the
+twin destroyer, "Joseph Reed."</p>
+
+<p>At the door there sounded a knock so insistent<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13"></a>[<a href="./images/13.png">13</a>]</span>
+that Darrin knew instantly that it was a summons.
+Springing from his chair, reaching for his
+uniform cap and setting it squarely on his head,
+he drew the curtains aside.</p>
+
+<p>"Special signal for the 'Grigsby,' sir, from the
+flagship," reported an orderly.</p>
+
+<p>Returning the young seaman's salute, Dave,
+with Dalzell close at his heels, darted up the
+steps to the bridge.</p>
+
+<p>"Signal 'Ready to receive,'" was Darrin's command
+to his signalman, who stood waiting, signal
+flags in hand.</p>
+
+<p>Rapidly the two flags moved, then paused.
+Dave's eyes, like Dan's, were turned toward the
+United States battleship that had lately acted as
+flagship for the destroyers and other small
+Yankee craft assembled in this port.</p>
+
+<p>Brief indeed were the motions of the signalman
+on the bridge of the battleship, but the signal,
+translated, read:</p>
+
+<p>"Proceed to sea in an hour, under instructions
+already received by you. Am proceeding to new
+station. Report to British admiral, this port,
+hereafter. No additions to these orders."</p>
+
+<p>Instantly Darrin ordered the signal wigwagged
+back:</p>
+
+<p>"Understood."</p>
+
+<p>Immediately following this the flagship signalled
+the "Reed," Dan's ship, giving the same<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14"></a>[<a href="./images/14.png">14</a>]</span>
+order, which Dan's executive officer, from the
+bridge of the other destroyer, acknowledged.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Darry, if you'll have your man signal
+for my gig," Dan urged, in a low voice, "I'll return
+to my ship. You and I are to cruise in company,
+as far as it may be done, and you are ranking
+officer. I am to part company from you only
+on your order."</p>
+
+<p>"That is the admiral's order," Darrin acquiesced.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-bye, old chap!" said Dan, with more
+than his wonted fervor, gripping his brother officer's
+hand. "And may we have the best of luck!"</p>
+
+<p>"The best of a 'business' kind," smiled Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"That's it!" laughed Dan, as he started down
+the steps. "I'm hoping for 'big business' this
+time!"</p>
+
+<p>Dalzell had used the word "gig" in a figurative
+sense. It was a power launch that put smartly
+away from the "Reed" and was speedily alongside.
+Dan waved his hand to his chum, who was
+leaning over the bridge rail.</p>
+
+<p>Dave did not return to the chart-room. He
+received the report of his chief engineer at the
+bridge telephone, then gazed musingly out over
+the crowded waters of the port. It was a busy
+scene, bristling with war activities.</p>
+
+<p>Having compared his watch with the clock on
+the bridge, Dave glanced frequently at that time-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15"></a>[<a href="./images/15.png">15</a>]</span>keeper.
+Five minutes before the hour was up he
+gave a quiet order to the watch officer, who telephoned
+to the engine-room and then issued brisk
+deck orders. At this time Lieutenant Fernald,
+executive officer, joined the group on the bridge,
+as did also the navigation officer.</p>
+
+<p>Promptly to the minute the "Grigsby," anchor
+up, turned and steamed slowly out of the harbor.
+As she passed, none of the other craft made
+signals. As though unnoticed Dave's ship
+slipped out of port, the "Reed" following.</p>
+
+<p>Then out upon the Channel the two destroyers
+moved, into the lane now followed by all craft
+that sailed between England and the continent.</p>
+
+<p>"All clear hereabouts," signalled the master of
+a small mine-sweeping craft, meaning that the
+destroyers, while in that immediate vicinity,
+might feel secure against the hidden mines with
+which the enemy were wont to strew these waters.</p>
+
+<p>"A few miles from here," Dave murmured to
+Fernald, "we shall have to look after our own security.
+It is going to be lively work."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir?" Fernald inquired, with a rising inflection,
+for he did not know the purpose of this
+cruise.</p>
+
+<p>Turning to make sure that the signalman could
+not overhear, Darrin went on, in a lower voice:</p>
+
+<p>"Our orders take us out to wage war against
+the German mine-layers!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16"></a>[<a href="./images/16.png">16</a>]</span>
+"A great work, sir!" replied the executive officer
+with enthusiasm. "There is sure to be plenty
+of sport. Then the enemy mine-layers have been
+working more industriously of late?"</p>
+
+<p>"The waters to the north are more thickly
+strewn with mines than at any time previously,"
+Dave continued. "Six British mine-sweeping
+craft have been sent north to do all they can to
+remove those hidden perils from the paths of
+transports and freighters. Our first mission is to
+protect the mine-sweepers as far as possible, but
+we are also to keep a sharp lookout for German
+submarines; and especially submarines of the
+mine-laying kind."</p>
+
+<p>"I understand, sir," Fernald nodded. The tone
+of enthusiasm had faded from his voice. Now he
+displayed only the grave interest of the professional
+sea-fighter.</p>
+
+<p>"All officers and men will have to work twice
+as hard as usual," Darrin went on. "There will
+be some chance to sleep, but no other leisure.
+Meals will be taken in the least possible time.
+Our entire crew must be at all times ready for
+instant response to the call to quarters."</p>
+
+<p>"That will not be hard in such times, sir,"
+answered Fernald. "All officers and men laid in
+a good supply of sleep while in port. A few
+added waking hours in each day won't hurt any
+of us."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17"></a>[<a href="./images/17.png">17</a>]</span>
+"Direct all officers to see that they and their
+men are fully awake and alert at all times when
+they are on duty," continued Dave. "Otherwise,
+we are not likely to make port again. Dalzell and
+I have been intrusted with keeping down the
+mine-laying peril as close to zero as possible."</p>
+
+<p>"Very good, sir," replied Lieutenant Fernald.
+That capable executive officer had nothing more
+to say at present, for his quick mind was already
+devising methods for keeping the crew unusually
+alert.</p>
+
+<p>An hour and a half after sailing night had settled
+down. The English shore was but a vague,
+distant line. A short, choppy sea was running.
+In the sky was a new moon that would set early.</p>
+
+<p>The watch had changed, but Dave and his executive
+officer remained on the bridge. Down in
+the wardroom such officers as were off duty were
+stowing away food in record time.</p>
+
+<p>Half a mile off to the west steamed the "Reed."
+Suddenly the lookouts on both craft reported a
+vessel ahead. Orders quietly given sent the men
+to gun stations. All eyes were turned on the
+approaching craft. Then her identification signal
+shone forth in the night. The stranger was a
+British scout cruiser racing back to port from
+some errand.</p>
+
+<p>In almost the same instant Dave and Dan
+displayed recognition signals, yet the two Yankee<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18"></a>[<a href="./images/18.png">18</a>]</span>
+craft closely watched the stranger until she
+moved between them, when she was fully recognized
+as one of John Bull's friendly sea-racers.</p>
+
+<p>"Any enemy signs?" Dave signalled.</p>
+
+<p>"No," came the answer.</p>
+
+<p>Soon the British scout cruiser had passed on
+into the night and vanished, but the Yankee
+lookouts kept vigil even more zealously than
+before.</p>
+
+<p>Half an hour later an English patrol boat, after
+exchange of signals, passed near by on Dave's port
+side. Twenty minutes after that two British
+mine-sweepers were found at work combing the
+seas with their wire sweepers. If those wires
+should touch a hidden mine it would be quickly
+known to the seamen who operated the mine-detecting
+device, and the mine would be hauled
+up and taken aboard the mine-sweeping craft,
+provided it did not explode in the meantime.</p>
+
+<p>As these two mine-sweepers were under Darrin's
+command, at need, he steamed near one of the
+pair, and, ordering a navy launch over the side,
+went to visit one of the Britons.</p>
+
+<p>"There's not very much in the way of catches
+to-night, sir," reported the commander of the
+sweeper, a ruddy-faced, square-shouldered young
+Englishman in his twenties, who had been watch
+officer on a steamship at the outbreak of the war.
+"Sometimes the fishing is much better."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19"></a>[<a href="./images/19.png">19</a>]</span>
+"This is the area in which we have been ordered
+to make a strict search," Dave observed.</p>
+
+<p>"I know, sir. But, according to my experience,
+we may search for hours and find nothing at all,
+and then, of a sudden, run into a mine field and
+take up a score of the pests."</p>
+
+<p>"What is your present course?"</p>
+
+<p>The commander of the mine-sweeper named it,
+adding the distance he had been ordered to go.</p>
+
+<p>"And the other sweeper sticks near by you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir. In that way there's a much better
+chance of one of us striking a regular mine field.
+Then again, sir, if one of us gets into trouble, as
+sometimes happens, the other craft can stand by
+promptly."</p>
+
+<p>"What is the most common trouble?"</p>
+
+<p>"First," explained the Englishman, "being torpedoed
+by a submarine; second, touching off a
+mine by bad handling; third, being sunk by some
+raiding German destroyer."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you often hit mines?"</p>
+
+<p>"Since the war began, sir," replied the young
+Englishman, "we've lost&mdash;" He named the
+number of mine-sweepers that had disappeared
+without leaving a trace, and the number that were
+definitely known to have been torpedoed or to
+have hit floating mines.</p>
+
+<p>"As you see, sir," the Englishman went on,
+"it's no simple thing that we have to do. I lay<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20"></a>[<a href="./images/20.png">20</a>]</span>
+it to sheer luck that I've escaped so long, but my
+turn may come at any moment. I've lost a number
+of friends in this same branch of the service,
+sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you would call mine-sweeping the most
+dangerous kind of naval service performed to-day?"
+Dave suggested.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know that I'd say that, sir, but it's
+dangerous enough."</p>
+
+<p>Many more pointers did Darrin pick up from
+this young officer of long experience in mine-hunting.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going farther north," said Dave. "If you
+run into anything and need help, send up rocket
+signals and we'll steam back to you at top
+speed."</p>
+
+<p>Before ten o'clock that night Darrin had encountered
+and spoken with or signalled to the
+commanders of not less than a dozen mine-sweeping
+craft. What struck Dave as the most
+prominent feature of these small, unpretentious
+craft was the slow, systematic way in which they
+performed their duty.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a wonderful work," Dave explained to
+Fernald. "If it were not for these dingy, stub-nosed
+little craft, and the fine spirit of their crews,
+hundreds of steamships would probably be blown
+up in these waters in a month. The Hun sneaks
+through these waters, laying mines, mostly from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21"></a>[<a href="./images/21.png">21</a>]</span>
+submarines built for the purpose, and these
+patient mine-sweeper commanders go along after
+them, removing most of the mines from the paths
+of navigation.<ins class="err" title="Transcriber's Note: added missing quotation mark">"</ins></p>
+
+<p>Having cruised as far north as his instructions
+directed him to do, Darrin ordered the "Grigsby"
+and the "Reed" to turn about and nose their way
+back under bare headway.</p>
+
+<p>Every mine-sweeper carried a radio outfit for
+sending messages. Each craft was also supplied
+with the mast-head "blinkers" for flashing night
+signals. When the craft signalled to, however,
+was near enough, colored lights operated from the
+deck were used instead, that the messages might
+not be sent far enough into the night to be picked
+up by skulking enemy craft.</p>
+
+<p>"It looks like a night of tame sport, sir," said
+Fernald, just before he went below for a nap.</p>
+
+<p>"It has been quiet so far," Darrin agreed. "But
+the most striking thing in naval service is that
+whatever starts comes without warning. We
+might have a whole week as quiet as to-night
+has been, and then run into twenty-four hours
+of work that would give both of us gray hair."</p>
+
+<p>An hour after Fernald went below Dave had a
+steamer chair brought to the bridge, also a rug.
+The chair was placed where a canvas wind-shield
+would protect the sitter from the keen edge of
+the wind.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22"></a>[<a href="./images/22.png">22</a>]</span>
+"I'm going to doze right here, Mr. Ormsby,"
+Dave explained to the ensign who was on bridge
+watch. "I'm to be called the instant anything
+turns up."</p>
+
+<p>Accustomed to such sleeps Darrin had barely
+closed his eyes when he was off in the Land o'
+Nod. Some time afterwards the sharp orders of
+Ensign Andrews, new officer of the bridge watch,
+caused Darrin to open his eyes, cast aside the rug
+and spring to his feet all in the same instant.</p>
+
+<p>"Torpedo coming on our starboard bow, sir,"
+reported Mr. Andrews, turning and finding his
+chief at his post.</p>
+
+<p>At that instant the "Grigsby" gave a sharp
+turn to port and sprang ahead under quickened
+speed.</p>
+
+<p>Bump! Swift as the discovery had been made,
+quickly as the saving orders had been given, the
+oncoming torpedo bumped the hull of the "Grigsby"
+with a crash audible to those within a hundred
+feet of the point of impact. But it did not
+strike full on, the contact being only glancing, like
+that of a boat going alongside a landing stage.
+The watchers from the bridge saw the torpedo's
+wake as the deflected projectile continued on its
+harmless way.</p>
+
+<p>"We couldn't have had a much narrower
+squeak than that!" Dave ejaculated. "Andrews,
+I congratulate you."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23"></a>[<a href="./images/23.png">23</a>]</span>
+"I'm naturally interested in saving the ship,
+sir, and my own skin as well," replied Ensign
+Andrews with a grin.</p>
+
+<p>Dave, not having taken his eyes from the faint
+streak on the water, called for highest speed and
+a complete turn. Then, ordering the rays of the
+searchlight to play over the water, Darrin sent
+the "Grigsby" racing, bow-on, toward the spot
+from which he judged the torpedo to have been
+launched. In the meantime Dalzell's "Reed"
+had turned her prow in the same general direction,
+steaming slowly after the "Grigsby."</p>
+
+<p>"The Hun can't be located," Dave confessed,
+a few minutes later. "That chap is like most of
+the other Hun submarine commanders. He'll
+launch a torpedo by stealth, but as soon as he
+knows the destroyer is after him he hunts depth
+and runs away."</p>
+
+<p>Dave's next order was to send a wireless message,
+warning all mine-sweepers and other craft
+that an enemy submarine had been discovered in
+that location.</p>
+
+<p>Though no word had been passed for Lieutenant
+Fernald, that executive officer, awakened by
+the bump and the abrupt change in the destroyer's
+course, hurried to the bridge.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you get a good rest, Fernald?" Dave
+queried, half an hour later.</p>
+
+<p>"Fine, sir."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24"></a>[<a href="./images/24.png">24</a>]</span>
+"Then I am going to the chart-room to rest
+for a while. I got chilled dozing in that chair.
+Set the bell going in the chart-room if I'm
+wanted."</p>
+
+<p>Then Dave slept on, without call, for a few
+hours, well knowing that Lieutenant Fernald
+could well fill his place. The first signs of dawn
+awakened Darrin. He sprang up, reaching for the
+bridge telephone.</p>
+
+<p>"All secure, sir," reported Fernald, from the
+bridge.</p>
+
+<p>Dave therefore delayed long enough to make
+his toilet&mdash;a none too frequent luxury aboard a
+destroyer in the danger zone. Then, fully refreshed
+and ruddy, Darrin drew on his tunic and
+over that his sheepskin coat. Placing his uniform
+cap on his head he stepped out on deck before
+the sun had begun to rise up above the sea.</p>
+
+<p>In the distance, in three different directions, as
+many British mine-sweepers could be seen patiently
+combing the seas for mines.</p>
+
+<p>"What number recovered?" Dave signalled.</p>
+
+<p>"Three," replied one craft. "Five," said another.
+"One," came from the third sweeper.</p>
+
+<p>"Nine in all," Dave remarked to Fernald.
+"We're in a mine field, then. We shall need to be
+vigilant."</p>
+
+<p>The sun soon rose, strong and brilliant, only to
+pass behind a bank of clouds and leave the air<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25"></a>[<a href="./images/25.png">25</a>]</span>
+damp and chilly. An hour later a fog settled
+over the English Channel, soon becoming so dense
+that one could not see beyond about three hundred
+yards.</p>
+
+<p>Dave went below to a hurried breakfast. Returning,
+he sent Lieutenant Fernald to his meal
+and rest.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll remain on the bridge all day, unless this
+fog lifts," Darrin decided. He increased the number
+of lookouts and ordered slow speed, so that
+the long, narrow destroyer, capable of racing rapidly
+over the waves, now merely crept along.</p>
+
+<p>When the watch was changed Dave barely returned
+the salutes of the departing and oncoming
+watch officers, for his whole attention was centered
+on the sea. Half an hour after that he
+started slightly, then stared hard.</p>
+
+<p>Off the starboard bow he thought he made out
+something moving as slowly as the "Grigsby"
+herself was proceeding.</p>
+
+<p>"Pick that up, Mr. Ormsby, and see if it's
+anything more than a dream," ordered Dave,
+pointing.</p>
+
+<p>Instantly the course of the destroyer was
+changed several points to starboard and speed increased
+a trifle.</p>
+
+<p>Through the haze there soon developed the outlines
+of a steam craft, set low in the water, and of
+not more than two thousand tons. She was not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26"></a>[<a href="./images/26.png">26</a>]</span>
+a handsome craft, but, on the contrary, appeared
+ghostlike as she stood only half-revealed through
+the fog.</p>
+
+<p>Undoubtedly the stranger had a lookout up
+forward, but no sign of one could be made out as
+the "Grigsby" gained on her.</p>
+
+<p>Her markings indicated that she belonged to
+one of the neutral countries to the northward.
+The wet flag that she flew drooped so tightly
+around the staff that nothing could be learned
+from that bit of bunting.</p>
+
+<p>"One of the neutral traders," remarked Ensign
+Ormsby.</p>
+
+<p>"She must give an account of herself," Dave
+answered. "Whatever she is, or carries, she
+doesn't look like a craft to be entrusted with a
+valuable cargo."</p>
+
+<p>As the "Grigsby" ranged up alongside, an officer
+stepped out from the stranger's wheelhouse
+and came to the rail.</p>
+
+<p>"What craft is that?" Dave demanded.</p>
+
+<p>The skipper, if such he was, replied in broken
+English, naming a neutral country, and adding
+that the vessel was the "Olga," bound for an
+English port with a cargo of wood pulp.</p>
+
+<p>"I knew she couldn't carry a costly cargo,"
+Dave muttered, then commanded, through a
+megaphone:</p>
+
+<p>"Lie to and stand by to be inspected."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27"></a>[<a href="./images/27.png">27</a>]</span>
+"Vat?" demanded the foreign skipper, in evident
+amazement.</p>
+
+<p>Dave repeated the order.</p>
+
+<p>"But ve all right are," insisted the skipper, "vot
+I told you iss our cargo."</p>
+
+<p>"Lie to, just the same," Dave commanded.
+"We'll be aboard at once."</p>
+
+<p>That made the skipper angry, but he dared not
+resist. The muzzles of two of the "Grigsby's"
+three-inch guns were pointed straight at him
+now, so the clumsy craft stopped and lay tossing
+on the choppy sea.</p>
+
+<p>Ensign Burton and a boarding crew were told
+off for one of the power launches. At the last
+instant Dave decided to go with the party and
+took his place in the launch. He was first aboard
+the stranger when the launch had been made fast
+alongside.</p>
+
+<p>It was now a younger officer who met him at
+the rail.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is your skipper?" Darrin demanded.</p>
+
+<p>"He me has given der papers to you show," replied
+the younger officer. "Come mit me to der
+cabin, please."</p>
+
+<p>"I must see this craft's master, and at once,"
+Darrin insisted.</p>
+
+<p>"He here cannot be at dis minute," replied
+the foreign mate. "To de cabin mit me come,
+please."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28"></a>[<a href="./images/28.png">28</a>]</span>
+"Your cargo is wood pulp, you say?" Dave continued.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Where is it?"</p>
+
+<p>"In our hold, already, sir," answered the mate.</p>
+
+<p>"Throw off that hatch," Dave directed, pointing.
+"I am going to inspect your cargo."</p>
+
+<p>The hatch was promptly uncovered. Leaving
+Burton and his men on deck, Dave descended
+into the hold by a ladder, followed by the mate
+and two of the "Olga's" seamen. A brief inspection
+proved that the hold was well filled with a
+cargo of wood pulp.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, you vill go to de after hold, please?"
+asked the mate, as Darrin climbed up to the
+deck.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," Dave nodded, and went aft, followed by
+four of his men, while Burton and the others remained
+forward. Here in the after hold the same
+kind of cargo was found. The "Olga" looked like
+a straight enough craft, but there was something
+in the manner of the mate that made Darrin
+suspicious.</p>
+
+<p>Calling two of his seamen below Dave produced
+a tape measure.</p>
+
+<p>"Get the distance from the hatchway to the
+after end of this hold," he directed.</p>
+
+<p>Then, wheeling, he noted that the mate's face
+had turned to a greenish color.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29"></a>[<a href="./images/29.png">29</a>]</span>
+"What ails you, man?" Darrin demanded,
+eyeing the fellow sharply.</p>
+
+<p>"N-n-nutten, sir," stammered the mate.</p>
+
+<p>One of the seamen reported the measurement
+he had taken.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, go on deck and measure aft from the
+hatchway," Dave commanded.</p>
+
+<p>The instant that Darrin was left alone with
+the mate a pair of muscular arms encircled the
+throat of the young American naval commander
+from behind. In the same instant the mate sprang
+at him. The two assailants, taking him so by
+surprise, overcame Darrin with comparative ease.
+In the same moment they backed him through a
+small doorway opening into the hold forward.</p>
+
+<p>Down on his back Dave Darrin was thrown, the
+skipper sitting on his chest, while the mate
+swiftly drew the door to and securely bolted it.
+In this stuffy apartment, lighted only by two
+swinging lanterns, Darrin realized that he must
+fight promptly if he expected to escape.</p>
+
+<p>A steel tube was pressed against one of Dave's
+temples, while a hoarse, low voice proclaimed:</p>
+
+<p>"Say a vord, and you die shall!"</p>
+
+<p>It was the skipper who was holding a revolver
+to Darrin's head, and the returning mate bent
+over with an iron hatch bar in his right hand.</p>
+
+<p>"You do vill vat we tell you&mdash;yes!" insisted
+the skipper, his breath coming fast.</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30"></a>[<a href="./images/30.png">30</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2>
+
+<h4>"THE ACCURSED POWER OF GOLD!"</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Dave</span> made no struggle.</p>
+
+<p>"You're a pair of fools!" he declared,
+somewhat hoarsely, for the effects of the
+severe choking were still present.</p>
+
+<p>"Fools, maybe," assented the skipper of the
+"Olga." "But if ve must trouble have den you
+die shall."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you want me to do?" Darrin demanded.</p>
+
+<p>"You send your men to your ship back," declared
+the big fellow. "Den your ship it must
+out of sight go yet. Ve shall sail back vonce.
+If your ship, or any udder ship to stop us try, den
+you die shall already&mdash;on deck, in sight your
+friends of."</p>
+
+<p>"You big chump!" uttered Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>"Vy you call me dot?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because, no matter what you do or don't do
+to me, you are going to be taken and punished.
+Do you think my ship would sail without me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe, sooner dan see you killed vonce,"
+glowered the skipper of the "Olga."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31"></a>[<a href="./images/31.png">31</a>]</span>
+"You idiot, my subordinates, their suspicions
+aroused, are bound to take this craft, no matter
+what happens to me. They must do their duty
+without consideration for my safety."</p>
+
+<p>"So?" uttered the skipper, looking at Dave
+dully.</p>
+
+<p>"So!" Darrin assured him.</p>
+
+<p>"But den you die must vonce."</p>
+
+<p>"Go ahead and kill me," Darrin dared him.</p>
+
+<p>"But if you vill to reason yet listen&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"You're wasting time and breath," Darrin
+assured him, coolly.</p>
+
+<p>Just then something happened. Darrin, using
+a trick that he had learned on the wrestling mat
+and had since perfected, threw both his arms
+around the left arm of the "Olga's" skipper. Clasping
+his hands and pressing his arms against the
+skipper's left arm, Dave gave a great heave and
+rolled to his own left. The trick depended upon
+speed.</p>
+
+<p>The skipper crashed over on his head. The
+revolver was discharged in the overturn, but the
+bullet went wild.</p>
+
+<p>In the twinkling of an eye Dave had grabbed
+the weapon, and leaped to his feet just in time to
+dodge the hatch bar that the mate tried to smash
+down on his head.</p>
+
+<p>"Back, unless you want yours right now!" Darrin
+challenged. Swiftly he changed the revolver<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32"></a>[<a href="./images/32.png">32</a>]</span>
+into his left hand as he still covered the pair.
+Then he reached for his own automatic, throwing
+off the safety device.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, you, Mr. Mate, slip around and unbolt
+the door, throwing it open," Dave ordered. "Any
+sign of a trick will end your life on the spot!"</p>
+
+<p>Seemingly cowed, the mate obeyed.</p>
+
+<p>"Open the door&mdash;throw it wide open," Dave
+commanded.</p>
+
+<p>The door was thrust ajar just as the two seamen
+with the tape reached the bottom of the ladder
+coming from the deck. These two seamen
+stared in astonishment at the stuffy apartment off
+the after hold.</p>
+
+<p>"Men, take charge of these two rascals!" Darrin
+commanded, briskly. "Step lively, both of
+you!"&mdash;this last to skipper and mate, who
+obeyed as though dazed.</p>
+
+<p>"Pass them up on deck as prisoners," ordered
+Darrin, and this was done, the two seamen drawing
+their revolvers and standing by the "Olga's"
+discomfited officers.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, for your report," Darrin went on. One
+of the sailors reported the deck-length from hatchway
+to stern-post.</p>
+
+<p>"A difference of twenty-one feet," smiled Dave,
+darkly, pointing aft in the hold. "You see, men,
+there are a good many feet of length to be accounted
+for, which means that there is another<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33"></a>[<a href="./images/33.png">33</a>]</span>
+compartment aft of this hold. <ins class="err" title="Transcriber's Note: deleted superfluous quotation mark">You</ins>," turning
+to one of the sailors, "go forward and request Ensign
+Burton, with my compliments, to take
+charge of this steamer. He will round up the
+crew and place them under guard. Then the
+ensign will leave a petty officer in charge of deck
+and prisoners and report to me here."</p>
+
+<p>Within a very short time Mr. Burton had so
+reported. Dave, in the meantime, having worked
+his way over the cargo, had found a cleverly concealed
+door at the after end of the hold.</p>
+
+<p>"There should be a key to this door, sir," said
+Ensign Burton, "but if there is a key-hole we are
+unable to find it. If this really be a door it must
+be operated by a hidden spring."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps an axe will work as well as either key
+or spring," Darrin suggested. "Pass the word for
+one."</p>
+
+<p>The axe was brought by a heavily built seaman,
+who prepared to swing it against the door
+panelling.</p>
+
+<p>"Break away the boards as gently as possible,"
+continued Dave. "There may be an explosive
+device on the other side of the panelling. For
+that reason I'll stand by you, to take equal risk."</p>
+
+<p>"If there is any risk, I'd rather you wouldn't
+take it, sir," urged the sailor.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, but I'll stand by. Swing the axe,"
+ordered Dave.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34"></a>[<a href="./images/34.png">34</a>]</span>
+A few blows knocked in the panelling, revealing,
+beyond, a room of considerable size. Into
+this stepped the two officers, followed by the seamen
+with them. Unlike any part of the ship they
+had previously seen, this place was lighted by
+electricity. Burton found the switch, and turning
+it on, let in a flood of light.</p>
+
+<p>"Sir, did you ever!" gasped the ensign.</p>
+
+<p>The purpose of this room was all too plain. It
+was fitted with compressors, leading to a tube
+that left the ship under water. A small but powerful
+crane was in place over a closed hatchway.
+The latter, when opened, was found to lead down
+into a second hold, also electrically lighted. The
+two officers explored this second hold.</p>
+
+<p>"Mines were kept here," Dave nodded, "and
+were hoisted above as needed. They were
+dropped astern by means of a compressed air
+apparatus which, when the mine tube was open,
+kept the sea from entering. This ugly looking
+little steamer, outwardly a wood pulp carrier, is
+really a very capable mine-layer. She has been
+busy, too, on this cruise to England, but had
+sown all her mines before we overhauled her."</p>
+
+<p>"It's plain enough, sir," agreed Ensign Burton.</p>
+
+<p>"Confound this rascally skipper!" blazed Darrin,
+wrathfully. "While naval craft have been
+searching everywhere for submarine mine-layers,
+this skipper has been sailing openly on the seas<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35"></a>[<a href="./images/35.png">35</a>]</span>
+and sowing mines right under the eyes of our
+allies! The accursed power of gold! This skipper,
+his mate and crew have been selling their
+very souls to the Hun for a bit of his miserable
+money!"</p>
+
+<p>"They won't do it again, sir!" uttered Burton,
+grimly.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Burton, you will remain aboard as prize
+officer, and take the 'Olga' into the nearest British
+port and turn her over to the British Admiralty
+authorities. On receiving competent orders
+you will rejoin."</p>
+
+<p>"Very good, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"And now we'll hurry above and try to get
+hold of this ship's papers before any rascal has a
+chance to destroy them."</p>
+
+<p>Boatswain's Mate Runkle had kept the officers
+and crew of the "Olga" under such close guard
+that they were unable to get at their papers,
+which were quickly found by Darrin in the cabin
+to which he had first been invited on boarding
+the "Olga."</p>
+
+<p>Out on deck, herded forward, were master and
+mate, seamen, engineers and stokers, a motley-looking
+outfit of twenty-one men all told.</p>
+
+<p>"Bring that fellow here," Dave directed,
+coming on deck after having examined the ship's
+papers and then turning them over to Ensign
+Burton.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36"></a>[<a href="./images/36.png">36</a>]</span>
+The master, purple-faced and ugly-looking, his
+eyes cast down, was brought before Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, sir," announced Dave Darrin, eyeing the
+man grimly, "we have seen the cargo you have
+on board, and we have been able to judge the
+character of the cargo that you have dropped
+overboard."</p>
+
+<p>The skipper started, but did not make any
+reply in words.</p>
+
+<p>"How could you ever bring yourself to commit
+such villainy?" Darrin demanded, sternly. "You
+are not a German?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," assented the other, shifting his weight
+from his right foot to his left.</p>
+
+<p>"You are a subject of a neutral country."</p>
+
+<p>"Dot is true," admitted the skipper.</p>
+
+<p>"And yet, for hire, you and your men have been
+engaged in sowing mines, and have taken pay
+from Germany for your crimes."</p>
+
+<p>"Mines? No! Ve do it not any. Ve never
+any had," declared the skipper.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell that to an Admiralty court-martial,"
+Darrin retorted. "You will have difficulty in
+clearing yourself. Fellow, you will find that
+you and your men will be charged with piracy,
+for you have been sowing death and destruction
+in the seas. Indeed, there can be no estimating
+how many ships you have already helped send to
+the bottom, no guessing how many lives your in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37"></a>[<a href="./images/37.png">37</a>]</span>famous
+work has cost. And you a neutral!
+Piracy!"</p>
+
+<p>Skipper, mate and chief engineer turned pale
+at this significant speech. The rest of the crew
+looked on in stolid wonder, for they understood
+no word of English.</p>
+
+<p>"Vat? You proof it can't!" quivered the
+skipper.</p>
+
+<p>"Wait!"</p>
+
+<p>Dave gave Ensign Burton an order in an undertone.
+The ensign hurried to the bridge and
+almost immediately from the "Olga's" whistle a
+series of sharp blasts struck out on the air.</p>
+
+<p>From the distance came an answering whistle.
+The "Olga's" whistle sounded again, and continued
+at minute intervals, until the outlines of
+another craft came up out of the mist and proved
+to be one of the mine-sweepers.</p>
+
+<p>Dave had already reasoned out the probable
+course of the neutral country's freighter in the
+last hour before he had overhauled it. As the
+mine-sweeper slowly came abreast, Darrin, a megaphone
+at his lips, shouted an order for the
+course to be taken by his small helper, and added:</p>
+
+<p>"Sweep thoroughly, and try to find some mines
+near by."</p>
+
+<p>"Aye, aye, sir."</p>
+
+<p>Within fifteen minutes a distant whistle came
+up from the fog.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38"></a>[<a href="./images/38.png">38</a>]</span>
+"They've picked up one mine," Darrin announced.</p>
+
+<p>Ten minutes later the sweeper's signal whistle
+was repeated.</p>
+
+<p>"Two mines," he added, and the "Olga's" skipper
+shivered slightly.</p>
+
+<p>Twenty minutes later came a whistle that was
+barely heard.</p>
+
+<p>"Three mines," clicked Dave, and ordered the
+recall sounded, to be by direction signals at minute
+intervals.</p>
+
+<p>"You make dot noise too much den have us all
+torpedoed yet," protested the "Olga's" skipper.</p>
+
+<p>"If that happens, we have a rescue craft near
+at hand," retorted Darrin, meaning the "Grigsby,"
+though the destroyer was now hidden by the fog.
+"That was more than you knew when you planted
+mines to destroy vessels on the high seas."</p>
+
+<p>"I did noddings do," growled the skipper.</p>
+
+<p>In time the mine-sweeper came up into view,
+again reporting that she had picked up three
+mines by sweeping broadly over the course that
+the "Olga" was believed to have taken. Then a
+junior officer from the sweeper came aboard with
+the measurements of the captured mines. These
+dimensions were quickly found to correspond
+with those of the planting device installed in the
+secret compartment of the "Olga."</p>
+
+<p>"Which proves, or doesn't prove, that the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39"></a>[<a href="./images/39.png">39</a>]</span>
+'Olga' sowed the mines," Dave declared. "That
+remains for the court-martial to decide. But the
+three mines just swept up will be interesting evidence
+for the court to consider."</p>
+
+<p>Learning that the commander of the mine-sweeper
+would be glad to furnish some members
+for a prize crew, and to convoy the prize into
+port, Dave decided to leave Ensign Burton aboard
+with only three men from the "Grigsby," filling
+out the prize crew with English sailors. This
+was accordingly done. Dave's own ship was then
+signalled and located by whistle, and the launch
+started on its return.</p>
+
+<p>"Keep that captured crew under strict guard.
+Don't give them any chance to recapture their
+vessel!" was Dave's last warning to Ensign
+Burton.</p>
+
+<p>The "Olga" quickly faded away in the fog
+and then the "Grigsby" was picked up and
+boarded.</p>
+
+<p>"Great work, sir, I'd call it!" declared Lieutenant
+Fernald, when he heard the details of what
+had taken place.</p>
+
+<p>"The scoundrel, to sail as a neutral, and do
+such dirty work for the Huns for mere pay!"
+uttered Dave, indignantly. "Fernald, do you
+know that there were moments when I had to restrain
+myself to keep from kicking that scoundrel
+about his own deck?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40"></a>[<a href="./images/40.png">40</a>]</span>
+"I can understand the temptation," nodded
+the executive officer.</p>
+
+<p>"On second thought, though," Darrin continued,
+"the skipper is certainly being much worse
+punished by the suspense of mind in which his
+present plight places him. He knows that, if
+convicted, the finding of the court will be 'piracy,'
+and he knows the punishment for that
+crime."</p>
+
+<p>"It used to be hanging," nodded Fernald. "It
+seems almost a pity that this war has introduced
+the swifter and more merciful punishment of
+death by shooting."</p>
+
+<p>"And as he looks around at his crew he knows
+that they must face the same fate with him, and
+he knows, too, that they know that he has brought
+the penalty upon them."</p>
+
+<p>"But is it possible that the crew were ignorant,
+or most of them ignorant, of what he was
+doing in addition to really carrying wood pulp
+cargoes?" asked Fernald.</p>
+
+<p>"That will be another question for the court-martial
+to decide," Darrin answered. "It doesn't
+seem possible that any member of the crew could
+really be in ignorance of the mine-laying work."</p>
+
+<p>A long blast from either the invisible "Olga"
+or the equally invisible mine-sweeper now announced
+that the prize was proceeding on her
+way. The "Grigsby" did not answer, for on a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41"></a>[<a href="./images/41.png">41</a>]</span>
+sea infested by hidden enemies it was not wise
+to use too many whistle signals.</p>
+
+<p>The "Grigsby" now returned to her course and
+former speed, and again started on her way.
+Barely ten minutes had passed when from a
+bow lookout came the sharp hail:</p>
+
+<p>"'Ware submarine, dead ahead, sir!"</p>
+
+<p>Sharp eyes, indeed, that had made out the
+presence of the enemy craft by sighting the slender,
+almost pencil-like periscope that projected
+some few feet above the water.</p>
+
+<p>At the instant it was discovered the periscope
+sank down below the surface.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2>
+
+<h4>A FIGHT OF THE GOOD OLD KIND</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Full</span> speed ahead! Then ahead she leaped.
+Ere the destroyer had gained full momentum
+her bow struck something under the
+water. Men were thrown from their feet by
+force of the shock, and the destroyer lurched
+heavily.</p>
+
+<p>"Hope we haven't torn our bottom out," muttered
+Darrin as he joined the bow lookouts.</p>
+
+<p>On the water appeared a patch of oil which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42"></a>[<a href="./images/42.png">42</a>]</span>
+rapidly broadened. A wooden stool and other
+floating objects were visible.</p>
+
+<p>"That looks like a fair score," declared the
+young lieutenant-commander, at which the on-looking
+seamen grinned broadly.</p>
+
+<p>Over the spot the destroyer again steamed,
+but nothing passing under her keel was noticed.
+The sea was clear before her.</p>
+
+<p>It was hours later when Darrin received, in a
+special code of the British Admiralty, word that
+the "Olga" and her convoy had reached port,
+and the "Olga's" officers and crew had been
+turned over to the Admiralty officials.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime Dan Dalzell and the "Reed,"
+as learned by occasional wireless messages, had
+been separated at no time by more than two
+miles, though neither craft was visible from the
+other.</p>
+
+<p>Towards the end of the afternoon the fog began
+to lift. By nightfall it had disappeared. The
+stars came out and the crescent moon hung near
+the western horizon. Both destroyers had again
+turned north, the two craft having drawn in
+within half a mile of each other.</p>
+
+<p>Dave, after a two-hour nap, went to the bridge
+at about two bells&mdash;nine o'clock. He had been
+there some ten minutes, chatting with Ensign
+Ormsby in low tones, when of a sudden he broke
+off, listening intently.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43"></a>[<a href="./images/43.png">43</a>]</span>
+"Sounds like distant firing, sir, two points off
+the port bow," hailed one of the bow lookouts.</p>
+
+<p>In a silence, broken only by the wash of the
+waters and the jar of the engines, distant rumbling
+sounds were again heard.</p>
+
+<p>"That's gun-fire," Dave declared. "Mr. Ormsby,
+have the signals shown so that word may be
+conveyed to the 'Reed' to keep with us at full
+speed."</p>
+
+<p>In another moment both destroyers dashed forward
+with a great roaring of machinery and
+dense clouds of smoke trailing behind from the
+four stacks of each.</p>
+
+<p>When some miles had been covered, with the
+gun-fire sounding with much greater distinctness,
+Darrin felt that he could judge the distance properly.
+Turning on a screened light he consulted
+the chart.</p>
+
+<p>"It's just about there," Darrin declared, placing
+his finger on a spot on the map. "Ormsby, I believe
+that enemy craft are bombarding the little
+fishing village of Helston. It's an unfortified,
+small port."</p>
+
+<p>"That's the kind the Huns would prefer," returned
+the ensign, with a savage smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Ask the chief engineer if a bit more speed is
+obtainable; then sound the bell in Mr. Fernald's
+cabin."</p>
+
+<p>A knot an hour more was soon forced from the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44"></a>[<a href="./images/44.png">44</a>]</span>
+"Grigsby's" engines, though at that racing gait
+it would have been difficult for an amateur observer
+to have detected the fact that speed had been
+gained. The "Reed," too, leaped forward.</p>
+
+<p>Minute after minute of breathless racing followed.
+Presently the flashes of guns could be
+made out ahead against the darkness of the night.
+Helston showed no lights, but the sound of bursting
+shells located the fishing village to those on
+the bridges of the approaching destroyers.</p>
+
+<p>"The hounds!" blazed Dave, indignantly. "Up
+to their old and favorite game of killing defenseless
+people!"</p>
+
+<p>Long ago the crew had been called to quarters.
+Everything was in readiness to attack the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>"Three of them, and all destroyers, judging by
+the size of the flash of their guns," Darrin judged.</p>
+
+<p>Throughout the war it has been a favorite
+trick of the enemy, when the opportunity offered,
+to send these swift craft out on night attacks. No
+other craft on the seas, except Entente destroyers,
+are capable of pursuing and overtaking German
+destroyers when they flee.</p>
+
+<p>"Open fire when we do," was the signal flashed
+to the "Reed."</p>
+
+<p>"We're ready," came back the instant answer.</p>
+
+<p>Two minutes later one of Darrin's forward guns
+flashed out into the night. From the "Reed"
+there came a similar flash.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45"></a>[<a href="./images/45.png">45</a>]</span>
+"Let 'em have it, fast and hard!" ordered Dave.</p>
+
+<p>As the two destroyers sprang forward, firing at
+full capacity, the three German craft turned and
+steamed toward them.</p>
+
+<p>"They outnumber us, and think we'll turn
+tail!" exulted Dave. "They may sink us, but if
+we do go down at least we'll try to carry our own
+weight in enemy ships down with us!"</p>
+
+<p>Though he did not make an unnecessary movement,
+all of Darrin's calm had vanished. He
+watched every one of the "Grigsby's" shots, his
+eyes flashing, breath indrawn. When he saw a
+hit his glance was snapping. Many of the shells,
+however, splashed in the water only, for now the
+five engaged craft were circling about each other
+in a life-and-death struggle.</p>
+
+<p>As they circled and zigzagged the German craft
+did not offer a very certain mark. Darrin and
+Dalzell were maneuvering in similar fashion.</p>
+
+<p>"If we lose, we lose gamely," thought Fernald
+under his breath. "Was there ever a better or
+braver commander than Darry? He will ask no
+odds, but is ever willing to give them!"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!" The exclamation, half sigh, broke from
+Dave's lips as he saw the burst of flame and smoke
+as a shell landed on the superstructure of the leading
+German destroyer.</p>
+
+<p>Then another shell from the "Grigsby" struck
+the same enemy's mast, smashing the crow's-nest<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46"></a>[<a href="./images/46.png">46</a>]</span>
+and hurling German seamen, dead or crippled,
+into the sea.</p>
+
+<p>Three enemy shells landed on the "Grigsby,"
+causing no serious damage. But the fourth hit
+dismounted one of Darrin's forward guns, killing
+three men and wounding five. Hardly an instant
+later another German shell landed on the bridge,
+reducing some of the metal work to a mass of
+twisted junk and ripping out part of the deck.</p>
+
+<p>Shell fragments and flying splinters flew on all
+sides, yet out of this hurricane of destruction
+emerged Darrin, Fernald and the watch officer,
+all uninjured.</p>
+
+<p>An instant later Darrin shouted his orders in
+Fernald's ear, then gained the deck below in a
+series of leaps.</p>
+
+<p>With one of her forward guns dismounted,
+the "Grigsby" was to that extent out of business.
+Preferring not to trust to his torpedo tubes,
+at this juncture Darrin raced aft, just as the destroyer
+began to execute a swift turn.</p>
+
+<p>And now Dave's craft turned tail and ran for it,
+the young commander directing personally the
+service of the after guns as the foremost German
+destroyer gave chase.</p>
+
+<p>Two more hits were scored by the enemy, with
+the result that two more of Dave's hardy young
+seamen were killed and four wounded. Matters
+were beginning to look decidedly serious.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47"></a>[<a href="./images/47.png">47</a>]</span>
+As for Dan Dalzell, when he saw the "Grigsby"
+turn tail and flee, his heart gave a great bound.</p>
+
+<p>"Good old Darry didn't do that unless he had
+to," Dan told himself. "I must cover his retreat
+somehow."</p>
+
+<p>So, his guns barking, and men standing by at
+the torpedo tubes, Dalzell darted straight for the
+second of the German destroyers.</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately there was plenty of sea-room, for
+Dave Darrin was not in reality running away.
+He was still alert to win the fight, but he wanted
+to win with the smallest possible loss among his
+own men.</p>
+
+<p>The Hun craft pursuing him was the slowest of
+the three enemies. This Dave had already guessed.
+He allowed the other craft to gain for half a mile,
+then suddenly shot ahead. By this time several
+hits had been scored by both combatants, and
+the third enemy destroyer was maneuvering for a
+position from which she could render herself
+effective to send Darrin and his men to the
+bottom.</p>
+
+<p>Just when it happened Lieutenant Fernald
+hardly knew, but once more Darrin stood on
+the bridge at his side.</p>
+
+<p>"Circle!" Dave shouted. "The shortest circle
+we can make, so as not to show our broadside
+longer than we must."</p>
+
+<p>Running under full speed, and with a helm<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48"></a>[<a href="./images/48.png">48</a>]</span>
+that she minded, the "Grigsby" swung around.
+So unlooked for was this maneuver that the pursuing
+Hun craft did not succeed in making a direct
+hit on the Yankee ship during the turn.</p>
+
+<p>And then, just as the turn brought him where
+he wished to be, and at deadly close quarters,
+Darrin gave his next order.</p>
+
+<p>Forward leaped the American destroyer. Too
+late the astonished German commander saw the
+purpose of the maneuver.</p>
+
+<p>With knife-like prow the "Grigsby" crashed
+into the German vessel, the blow striking just
+forward of amidships.</p>
+
+<p>As the butcher's cleaver passes through the
+bone, so did the bow of the Yankee destroyer go
+through the Hun.</p>
+
+<p>Yet in the moment of impact Darrin rang the
+bridge signal to the engine-room for full speed
+astern. Nor was this command executed an
+instant too soon. Just in the nick of time Dave's
+gallant little ship drew back out of the fearful
+hole that she had torn in the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>Aboard the Hun craft the yells of dying men
+rose on the air, for the enemy destroyer had been
+all but cut in two.</p>
+
+<p>Listing before an irresistible inrush of water,
+the German destroyer almost turned turtle, then
+sank quickly beneath the waves.</p>
+
+<p>To the northward a muffled roar sounded, fol<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49"></a>[<a href="./images/49.png">49</a>]</span>lowed
+instantly by another. Dalzell had let go
+with both forward torpedo tubes, and both had
+scored. The second stricken enemy ship began
+to fill and sink slowly.</p>
+
+<p>"Shall we stop to pick up men?" called Fernald.</p>
+
+<p>"Too bad, but we cannot linger while one of
+the enemy craft still floats," Darrin replied,
+calmly. "Our first business is to sink enemy ships.
+We cannot be humane just yet. Give full chase,
+Mr. Fernald!"</p>
+
+<p>The German survivor had already turned tail,
+for these Yankee fighters were altogether too
+swift in their style of combat. Dalzell, whose
+craft was nearer the fugitive, was now first in
+pursuit.</p>
+
+<p>To avoid firing over his chum's craft Darrin
+steered obliquely to starboard, then joined in
+the chase, firing frequently with his remaining
+forward three-inch gun.</p>
+
+<p>As to speed it proved a losing race. The
+German craft that had survived proved to be a
+shade more speedy than either the "Grigsby" or
+the "Reed," so the two craft in chase endeavored
+to make up for the difference with active fire.</p>
+
+<p>Some direct hits were made. In a little more
+than half an hour, however, the Hun destroyer
+was out of range of the Yankee guns.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll drive her back to her base port, anyway,"
+Darrin signalled Dalzell.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50"></a>[<a href="./images/50.png">50</a>]</span>
+So two narrow ribbons of searchlight glow
+played over the sea, keeping the enemy in sight
+as long as possible.</p>
+
+<p>Presently the German's hull vanished below
+the horizon; then the lower parts of her masts and
+stacks went out of sight. Still the two Yankee
+destroyers hung on, in a race that they knew they
+could not win.</p>
+
+<p>Only when Darrin's knowledge of these waters
+told him that the fleeing destroyer was safe did
+he signal the "Reed" to "abandon chase."</p>
+
+<p>Reluctantly Dan Dalzell's little ship swung
+around, heading to keep the "Grigsby" company
+on the new course.</p>
+
+<p>"Tackled superior numbers, and sank two out
+of three," Dave commented, calmly. "Not what
+one would call a poor evening's work, gentlemen."</p>
+
+<p>"It was splendidly done, sir," glowed Lieutenant
+Fernald.</p>
+
+<p>"We won't take too much credit to ourselves,"
+Dave proposed. "Let us give some of the credit
+to luck."</p>
+
+<p>"Not with you in command, sir," protested the
+executive officer.</p>
+
+<p>"But we did have a lot of luck," Dave insisted.</p>
+
+<p>"The luck that you planned and schemed for,
+with your mind working like lightning," Fernald
+retorted.</p>
+
+<p>He was too much of a man to try to flatter his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51"></a>[<a href="./images/51.png">51</a>]</span>
+chief. Fernald spoke from the depths of complete
+conviction. He had known Dave Darrin's reputation
+at sea even before he had come to serve
+under this swift-thinking young officer.</p>
+
+<p>Dave's first care, now, was to inspect the dismounted
+gun. Only a few moments did he need
+to convince himself that the piece was a wreck
+that could never be put in use again.</p>
+
+<p>He then descended to the sick bay, where the
+surgeon and four baymen were giving tender attention
+to the wounded men.</p>
+
+<p>"It was a good fight, men," Dave said, as he
+passed through the bay.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I'm not kicking at what I found," cried
+one young sailor lad, cheerily.</p>
+
+<p>"Nor I," added another. "It was worth something,
+sir, to take part in a fight like that. Ouch!
+O-o-o-h!"</p>
+
+<p>Dave paused to bend over the sufferer, resting
+a hand on his nearer shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>"I beg pardon, sir," said the lad. "I didn't
+mean to make such a fuss. You'll think me a
+regular baby, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"No one is to be blamed for yelling, with a pair
+of shell fragment wounds like yours," broke in
+the surgeon, bending over and examining. "My
+boy, you have regular man's-size wounds."</p>
+
+<p>"Not going to croak me, are you, sir?" asked
+the young sailor, looking up into Medico's eyes.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52"></a>[<a href="./images/52.png">52</a>]</span>
+"Oh, no; not this trip, my lad."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I don't care," returned the young seaman.
+"Wouldn't care much, anyway, but there's
+a mother at home who would! Ouch! There I
+go again. My mother'd be ashamed of me."</p>
+
+<p>"No, she wouldn't," smiled the surgeon. "Look
+here, what I took out of that hole in your leg."</p>
+
+<p>He held up a jagged fragment of shell. It was
+somewhat oval-shaped, about an inch and a half
+in length and half as wide.</p>
+
+<p>"It hurt you more when I took that out than
+it would to pull a dozen of your teeth at once.
+Let's look at this other hole, the one on the other
+thigh. That's going to be a tougher job. I'll give
+you a few whiffs of chloroform, so you won't notice
+anything."</p>
+
+<p>"Do I have to have the chloroform, sir?" demanded
+the sailor lad, who was not more than
+eighteen.</p>
+
+<p>"You don't have to, Bassett, but it will be for
+your comfort," replied Medico.</p>
+
+<p>"Then don't ask me to smell the stuff, sir. When
+this war is over I want to look back and think
+of myself as a fighting man&mdash;not as a chap who
+had to be gassed every time the sawbones looked
+at him. Beg your pardon, sir."</p>
+
+<p>But Medico merely smiled at being called sawbones.</p>
+
+<p>"Chloroform or not, just as you like, lad," the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53"></a>[<a href="./images/53.png">53</a>]</span>
+surgeon went on. "Either way, you can always
+look back with satisfaction on your record as a
+fighting man, for your grit is all of the right
+kind."</p>
+
+<p>"Much obliged to you, sir, for saying that," replied
+the young sailor. "Ouch! Wait, please, sir.
+Let me get a grip on the cot frame with both
+hands. Now, I'm all ready, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Same old breed of Yankee sailor as always,"
+Darrin smiled down into the lad's face while the
+surgeon began the painful work of extracting
+another shell fragment. This one being more
+deeply imbedded, the surgeon was obliged to
+make a selection of scalpel and tissue scissors and
+do some nerve-racking cutting. But the seaman,
+his hands tightly gripped on the edges of the
+operating table, which he had termed a cot, did
+not once cry out, though ice-cold sweat beaded his
+forehead under Darrin's warm hand.</p>
+
+<p>Then a bayman washed down the enameled
+surface of the table, rinsing the blood away, and
+another attendant skilfully dressed and bandaged
+the second wound as he had done the first. Two
+baymen brought a stretcher and the lad was taken
+to a bunk. Here he was given a drink that, after
+five minutes, caused him to doze and dream fitfully
+of the battle through which he had lately
+passed.</p>
+
+<p>By this time nearly all of the wounded had re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54"></a>[<a href="./images/54.png">54</a>]</span>ceived
+first attention. Dave Darrin, followed by
+a junior officer, went forward to another, still
+smaller room, where he gazed down with heaving
+breast at the forms of the seamen who had given
+up their lives under the Stars and Stripes in the
+gallant work of that night.</p>
+
+<p>Over the face of each dead man lay a cloth.
+Each cloth was removed in turn by a sailor as
+Darrin passed along.</p>
+
+<p>"A good fighting man and a great romp on
+shore," said Dave, looking down at the face of
+one man. "One of the best fellows we ever had
+on any ship I've ever served on," he said, glancing
+at another face. "A new lad," he said, of a third,
+"but he joined on so recently that I know only
+that he was a brave young American!" And
+so on.</p>
+
+<p>It was just as the sailor was laying the cloth
+back over the features of the last one in the row
+that a seaman sprang into the room precipitately.</p>
+
+<p>"Beg pardon, sir," he called excitedly, "but
+telephone message, with compliments of executive
+officer, and commanding officer's presence is
+desired on the bridge&mdash;instantly!"</p>
+
+<p>That surely meant business!</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55"></a>[<a href="./images/55.png">55</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2>
+
+<h4>WHAT A FLOATING MINE DID</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">As</span> Dave reached the deck he caught a fleeting
+glimpse of a big steamship ahead, which
+was revealed in the glare of the destroyer's
+searchlight.</p>
+
+<p>But he did not stop to linger there. Up to the
+damaged bridge he ran as fast as he could go.</p>
+
+<p>Evidently putting on her best effort at speed
+the steamship was moving forward fast in a zig-zagging
+course.</p>
+
+<p>"She was working her radio and blowing her
+whistle, all in the same moment, sir," Lieutenant
+Fernald explained. "She must have seen a torpedo
+that passed by her. There must be a submarine
+somewhere, but we haven't picked up a
+sign of it as yet."</p>
+
+<p>The ship was nearly two miles away. Having
+seen the destroyer's searchlight the big craft's
+whistle was again blowing.</p>
+
+<p>"Her master hardly expects to get away from
+the submarine," Dave observed, and instantly
+turned his night glass on the dark waters to try
+to pick up some sign of the Hun pirate craft that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56"></a>[<a href="./images/56.png">56</a>]</span>
+was causing all this excitement aboard a respectable
+neutral liner.</p>
+
+<p>"She's a Dutch craft," Dave commented.
+"Head in, Mr. Fernald, as that will give us a better
+chance to try to find out on which side of her
+the pest is operating. Ask her which side."</p>
+
+<p>Promptly the signal flashed out from the
+blinkers of the "Grigsby." Plainly the excited
+skipper of the liner hadn't thought of offering
+that important bit of information.</p>
+
+<p>"Starboard side, probably eight hundred yards
+away," came back the Dutchman's blinker response.</p>
+
+<p>Dave accordingly ordered the "Grigsby" laid
+over to starboard and raced on to place the Yankee
+ship between the pirate and the intended
+victim.</p>
+
+<p>Hardly had the course been altered, however,
+in the roughening sea, when a dull lurid flash
+some twelve or fifteen feet high was seen just under
+the liner's starboard bow. A cloud of smoke
+rose, the lower half of which was promptly
+washed out by a rising wave.</p>
+
+<p>"That was a mine, no torpedo!" cried Dave,
+his eyes snapping. "Full speed ahead, Mr. Fernald,
+and prepare to clear away our launches.
+That ship cannot float long!"</p>
+
+<p>Through the night glass it could be seen that
+throngs of passengers were rushing about the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57"></a>[<a href="./images/57.png">57</a>]</span>
+deck of the Dutch vessel. Ship's officers were
+trying to quell the panic that was quite natural,
+for the mine, if it were such a thing, had torn a
+huge hole in the bow, and the liner was settling
+by the head.</p>
+
+<p>Up raced the "Grigsby," the "Reed" arriving
+less than a minute afterward. Both destroyers
+had manned their launches, and these were now
+lowered and cleared away.</p>
+
+<p>Even though the passengers appeared to have
+lost their heads, the Dutch skipper proved true
+to his trust. He was lowering his own boats and
+rafts as rapidly as he could, and making swift
+work of getting human beings away from the
+stricken ship.</p>
+
+<p>Fully two-score passengers of either sex
+jumped. Striking the water they bobbed up
+again, for they had not neglected their life-belts.</p>
+
+<p>In the hurry one lifeboat was overturned just
+before it reached the water. The "Grigsby's"
+leading launch raced to the spot. Half a dozen
+jackies promptly dove over into the icy water to
+give a hand to passengers too frightened to realize
+the importance of getting quickly away from
+the sinking liner.</p>
+
+<p>"No more men go overboard," sternly ordered
+Ensign Andrews, as he saw more of his men
+moving to the side of the launch. "Stand by to
+haul the rescued aboard!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58"></a>[<a href="./images/58.png">58</a>]</span>
+All care was needed, for the liner was a big one,
+and doomed soon to take her final plunge. The
+suction effect on small boats would be tremendous,
+if they were caught too close to the scene of
+the foundering.</p>
+
+<p>Lines were cast to jackies who were towing
+frightened passengers. Rescue moved along
+swiftly, the launches from both destroyers backing
+slowly away from the settling craft.</p>
+
+<p>"Here y'are, lady!" coaxed one seaman from
+the first launch, catching a line at twenty feet
+and placing it in the hands of a frightened woman
+whose teeth chattered and who was nearly dead
+from the cold that the icy water sent through to
+the marrow of her bones. "Think y' can hold
+on, lady? If y' can, I can go back and help some
+one else."</p>
+
+<p>The woman, though she spoke no English,
+guessed the meaning of the question, and shrieked
+with terror.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, all right, ma'am," the sailor went on, in
+a tone of good-humored resignation. "I'll make
+sure of you, and hope that some one else won't
+drown."</p>
+
+<p>With one arm around her, the other hand holding
+tight to the rope the jacky allowed himself to
+be hauled in alongside the launch.</p>
+
+<p>"Take this lady in, quick!" ordered Jacky.
+"She's about all in with the cold."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59"></a>[<a href="./images/59.png">59</a>]</span>
+"Better come on board, too, Streeter," advised
+a petty officer on the launch.</p>
+
+<p>"Too much to be done," replied Seaman
+Streeter, shoving off and starting to swim back.</p>
+
+<p>"Your teeth are chattering now," called the
+petty officer, but Seaman Streeter, with lusty
+strokes, was heading for a hatless, white-haired
+old man whom he made out, under the searchlight
+glare, a hundred yards away. This man, too
+chilled to swim for himself, though buoyed up by
+a belt, Streeter brought in.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on board, Streeter," insisted the same
+petty officer.</p>
+
+<p>But surely that jacky was deaf, for he turned
+and once more struck out. By the time that the
+liner had been down four minutes, and the last
+visible and living person in the water had been
+rescued, Seaman Streeter had brought in six men
+and women, five of whom would surely have died
+of the cold had he not gone to their aid. And he
+had turned to swim back after a possible seventh.</p>
+
+<p>Nearly six hundred passengers and members
+of the sunken liner's crew had been saved. Of
+these the greatest sufferers were taken aboard the
+"Grigsby" and the "Reed" and the remainder
+were left in the boats, which were towed astern.</p>
+
+<p>Dave decided that the rescued ones should be
+landed at an English port twenty-two miles away.
+This port had rail communication and prompt,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60"></a>[<a href="./images/60.png">60</a>]</span>
+effective care could be given to these hundreds of
+people.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the start had been made for port,
+roll-call was held of those who had put off in the
+launches. Seaman Streeter was not present, nor
+even accounted for. Promptly Darrin ordered
+the course changed and the two destroyers went
+back, making careful search under the searchlights
+of the surface of the sea near the scene of
+the foundering. No trace of the missing seaman
+was found.</p>
+
+<p>Seaman Streeter did not die in battle. He
+perished in the gentler but no less useful field
+of saving human life! An orphaned sister in
+Iowa, his only living near relative, gazes to-day
+at the appreciative letter she has received from
+the Navy Department at Washington. Then
+she turns to a longer and more glowing letter written
+by the, to her, strange hand of David Darrin,
+Lieutenant-Commander, United States Navy.</p>
+
+<p>In less than two hours the destroyers, with
+their respective strings of towed boats, arrived
+at the British port and the work of transferring
+the rescued to shore began. Dan's dead and
+wounded were also sent ashore.</p>
+
+<p>It was afterward reported that nine human
+beings were unaccounted for. Four more died in
+the boats on the way to land.</p>
+
+<p>While the transfers to shore were being made<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61"></a>[<a href="./images/61.png">61</a>]</span>
+Dan Dalzell came aboard the "Grigsby" to greet
+his chum. They chatted while the damaged
+bridge was being repaired.</p>
+
+<p>"Danny-boy," Dave remarked seriously, "that
+exploding mine showed us clearly what is expected
+of us. It is our task to see that all these
+near-by waters are cleared of such dangerous
+objects."</p>
+
+<p>"Surely we cannot get every mine that the
+Huns plant," objected Dalzell.</p>
+
+<p>"We must get as many of them as we can. I
+know that all the British mine-sweepers are constantly
+on the job, but if necessary we must have
+more mine-sweepers. We must keep the paths
+of navigation better cleared than proved to be
+the case to-night."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, say!" expostulated Dalzell, his eyes wide
+open, "we simply cannot, even with twice as
+many mine-sweepers, find every blooming mine
+that the Huns choose to sow in the Channel and
+North Sea."</p>
+
+<p>"To find and take up every mine should be our
+standard," Dave insisted, "and we must live as
+close to that standard as we possibly can."</p>
+
+<p>"Then we did wrong to go after the destroyers
+this night?" Dan demanded, curtly.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course not, for that bombardment of that
+defenseless little town, carried on longer, might
+have cost as many lives as are likely to be lost in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62"></a>[<a href="./images/62.png">62</a>]</span>
+the case of a steamship hitting a floating mine."</p>
+
+<p>"We can't do everything at the same time,"
+Dan contended.</p>
+
+<p>"Then we must strive to do ninety-nine per
+cent. of everything," Darrin urged, his jaws set.
+"Danny-boy, I feel as badly as you do when a
+single innocent life is lost in the area that we are
+held responsible for."</p>
+
+<p>"How soon do you put for sea?" Dalzell asked.</p>
+
+<p>"As soon as our boats return and are hoisted
+on board."</p>
+
+<p>Darrin was as good as his word. Twenty-one
+minutes later, while dawn was still invisible, the
+two Yankee destroyers turned seaward again.
+There was more work, and sterner, for them to
+do, and it lurked just beyond!</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63"></a>[<a href="./images/63.png">63</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2>
+
+<h4>EYES THAT LOOKED DOWN FROM THE AIR</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Dawn</span> found the two destroyers cruising
+slowly northward, a little more than a
+mile apart.</p>
+
+<p>Within sight of the bridges of the two craft
+were eight small, snub-nosed mine-sweepers.
+Frequently changing their course, these little
+craft were doing their utmost to pick up any mine
+that may have been planted just far enough under
+water to be struck below the water line by passing
+vessels.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose we're of the few who have ever seen
+the flash of an exploding floating mine," Dave
+remarked to Lieutenant Fernald. "The sea was
+so rough and choppy, last night, that the mine, at
+the instant of impact, happened to be in the
+trough of the sea and partly above water."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," nodded Fernald. "Had the waves been
+longer, the mine would have sunk to its usual
+depth. Had it not cost lives and a good ship, it
+would have been a sight worth seeing. As it was,
+since the lives and the ship had to be lost, I am
+glad that I was there to see it."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64"></a>[<a href="./images/64.png">64</a>]</span>
+It was broad daylight now. Red streaks off in
+the east indicated that the sun would soon appear.
+But from the southwest something of at
+least equal interest appeared in the sky.</p>
+
+<p>At the lookout's call Fernald turned to study
+the object in the sky through his glass.</p>
+
+<p>"It's an airship, a dirigible," announced the executive
+officer.</p>
+
+<p>"If an English dirigible, then it's all right,"
+Dave nodded. "But, if it happens to be a German
+Zeppelin returning from a raid over England,
+then it will become our solemn duty to get the
+anti-aircraft gun in position and pray for a chance
+to take a fair shot."</p>
+
+<p>"It's a craft of the smaller English dirigible
+pattern," Fernald announced, still studying the
+distant speck in the sky, which, of course, looked
+much larger in the field of his glass. "Yes, it's
+an unmistakable 'blimp'."</p>
+
+<p>This latter is the slang name given to the
+British dirigibles.</p>
+
+<p>"Better have the air-craft gun men at their station,"
+advised Dave, and this was done.</p>
+
+<p>Ten minutes later, however, the "blimp" was
+so close at hand that there could be no mistaking
+its identity. It belonged, beyond a question, to
+one of the squadrons of the Royal Naval Air
+Service.</p>
+
+<p>"Radio message from the 'blimp,' sir," called a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65"></a>[<a href="./images/65.png">65</a>]</span>
+messenger, darting from the doorway of the wireless
+room. "Do you wish a written copy, sir?"</p>
+
+<p>Lieutenant Fernald glanced at Dave, who shook
+his head.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's have the message orally," Fernald called
+down to the deck.</p>
+
+<p>"'Blimp' wants to know, sir, if these two craft
+are the 'Grigsby' and 'Reed.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Tell the operator to admit the fact," Fernald
+ordered.</p>
+
+<p>"Officer in charge of the 'blimp,' sir, says that
+he was to report and help you yesterday, but
+that the weather was too foggy."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell the operator to send back: 'Good morning.
+Glad to have you with us. Signature, Darrin,'"
+Dave directed.</p>
+
+<p>The seamen and petty officer at the anti-aircraft
+gun left their station. Straight onward came the
+"blimp," dropping much lower just as it passed
+over. From the car beneath the big gas-bag several
+men leaned over to wave friendly hands, a
+greeting that was instantly responded to by
+Dave's and Dan's jackies, for the dirigible, after
+sailing over the "Grigsby," turned and floated
+over the "Reed."</p>
+
+<p>"Message from the 'blimp,' sir," again iterated
+the messenger on the deck. "Message says:
+'We're to keep near you and try to spot submarines
+for you.'"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66"></a>[<a href="./images/66.png">66</a>]</span>
+"More power to your vision," was the message
+sent back by Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"You're working northward, toward the
+shoals?" asked "Blimp."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," Darrin acknowledged.</p>
+
+<p>"That's a likely place to find one or two of the
+Hun pirates resting," "Blimp" continued.</p>
+
+<p>"Always a good hunting ground," Dave assented,
+in a radio message.</p>
+
+<p>This took place while the dirigible was flying
+back and forth, ahead and astern, between the
+destroyers and to either side of their course.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a fine thing to be able to move at aircraft
+speed," said Lieutenant Fernald, rather enviously.
+"If we could only make such speed, sir!"</p>
+
+<p>"If we could build ships that would steam sixty
+to a hundred miles an hour, then the enemy could
+build them also," Dave returned. "There would
+be little, if any, net gain for us. But if we could
+find the secret of doubling the speed of aircraft,
+and keep said secret from the boches, that would
+be an achievement that would soon end the war."</p>
+
+<p>For ten miles the sweepers proceeded, with a
+total "catch" of only three mines, which must
+have been left-overs from other cruises. By
+this time the little fleet was approaching the nearest
+of the shoals, some three miles from shore.</p>
+
+<p>"Blimp" was now well ahead, presently signalling
+back.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67"></a>[<a href="./images/67.png">67</a>]</span>
+"Found a sea-hornet for you, resting in the
+mud."</p>
+
+<p>"Good enough! We'll draw his sting," the
+"Grigsby's" radio reply promised.</p>
+
+<p>Darrin caused a signal to be made to two of
+the mine-sweepers to come in close to him. The
+"Reed" still continued on her way further out.</p>
+
+<p>Aircraft are of the greatest help in discovering
+submerged submarines. Depending on the
+altitude at which they fly, air observers are able
+to see, in reasonably smooth water, submarines
+that are moving at from eighty to a hundred feet
+beneath the surface. A submarine that is "resting"
+with her nose in the mud close to shore has
+more to fear from aircraft than from all other
+possible foes.</p>
+
+<p>The aircraft men, though they can drop bombs
+upon such lurking craft, cannot do so with anything
+like the accuracy that is possible to the
+crews of vessels on the surface. Hence when aircraft
+and destroyers hunt together it is almost
+always left to the surface craft to give the "grace
+blow" to the resting submarine, as also to a submarine
+in motion beneath the waves.</p>
+
+<p>As the "blimp" moved over the shoal in question
+a smoke bomb left the car and hovered almost
+motionless in the air, though briefly. This indicated
+that the submarine lay on the bottom directly
+underneath the smoke bomb.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68"></a>[<a href="./images/68.png">68</a>]</span>
+"And the commander of that Hun craft knows
+that we are approaching," Darrin commented, as
+the "Grigsby" raced roaringly forward. "He can
+hear the noise of our propellers. If his engines
+are ready, he'll likely back off into deeper water."</p>
+
+<p>Thrice more the "blimp" passed over the submarine
+that was invisible to surface eyes, and each
+time let loose a smoke bomb.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, you're directly in line," came the radio
+message from above. "Move dead ahead. Will
+tell you when you are passing over. We'll signal
+the word 'drop'."</p>
+
+<p>The meaning of "drop" would be clear enough.
+It would mean that the "Grigsby" was instantly
+to release, over the stern, a depth bomb.</p>
+
+<p>As the "Grigsby" neared the spot speed was
+considerably reduced. Overhead hovered the
+"blimp," ready for instant signalling of one word.
+The command had already been passed to the
+men stationed by the depth bomb to let go as
+soon as the messenger gave the word from the
+operator.</p>
+
+<p>As Darrin glanced upward he saw the "blimp"
+nearly overhead.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly the messenger's startled voice roared
+out the message passed by the radio operator:</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Full speed astern!</i>"</p>
+
+<p>In the same instant Lieutenant Fernald repeated
+the order over the engine-room telegraph.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69"></a>[<a href="./images/69.png">69</a>]</span>
+There was a jolting jar as the "Grigsby" shivered,
+then glided back in her own wake.</p>
+
+<p>"Jove! That was a narrow squeak!" came
+down from the sky. "That hornet laid an egg in
+your path. It came within an ace of bumping
+your keel."</p>
+
+<p>"Never did speed pay a prompter profit, then,"
+uttered Darrin, his cheeks paling slightly.</p>
+
+<p>For the Englishman's laconic message meant
+that the submarine had just proved herself to be
+of the mine-laying variety. Further, the Hun
+craft, hearing the destroyer's propellers almost
+overhead, had judged the moment at which to let
+loose a mine, which, rising to its proper level
+under water, would have struck the hull of the
+advancing destroyer.</p>
+
+<p>Had that happened, the career of the "Grigsby"
+would have been over, and several officers'
+and seamen's names would have been added to
+the war's list of dead.</p>
+
+<p>"Going to try again, sir?" asked Lieutenant
+Fernald, quietly, as Dave himself changed the
+full-speed-astern order.</p>
+
+<p>"It's out of our line, I guess," Darrin confessed,
+with a smile. "Signal yonder mine-sweeper to
+close in on the job."</p>
+
+<p>As a result of the message, and aided by the
+"blimp" overhead, the snub-nosed mine-sweeper
+steamed into position. First, her wire sweeper<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70"></a>[<a href="./images/70.png">70</a>]</span>
+picked up the mine that had been sprung for the
+"Grigsby's" undoing, and backed away.</p>
+
+<p>Then, under Dave's further order, after the
+mine had been hoisted on board, the snub-nosed
+craft moved in with a different type of sweeper.
+To different wires of this implement were attached
+small but powerful contact bombs.
+Jauntily the snub-nosed craft moved over the
+lurking place of the submarine, and passed on
+ahead.</p>
+
+<p>From the depths came muffled sounds, followed
+by a big and growing spread of oil on the water.</p>
+
+<p>"Enemy done for!" signalled the "blimp."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, sir. We know it," the "Grigsby"
+wirelessed back.</p>
+
+<p>The mine-sweeper, having passed on ahead, now
+circled back, her crew grinning at sight of the
+mass of floating oil.</p>
+
+<p>The contact bombs dangling from the sweep
+wires had struck against the submarine's hull and
+exploded, letting in the water at several points.
+The Hun seamen were even now drowning, caught
+without a show for their lives, just as they had
+probably sent many souls to graves in the ocean.</p>
+
+<p>For some minutes more the dirigible moved
+back and forth through the air, her observers
+watching for the presence of hidden enemy craft.
+Then, without warning, came the message:</p>
+
+<p>"Sorry, but engine trouble threatens and will<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71"></a>[<a href="./images/71.png">71</a>]</span>
+compel our return to land, and to our base if
+possible."</p>
+
+<p>"The best of luck to you," Dave ordered wirelessed
+back to these British comrades. "We'll
+stand by until we're as close to shore as we can
+go."</p>
+
+<p>For he knew that, near shore, the shoals became
+dangerous shallows at this point on the
+coast.</p>
+
+<p>Away limped the "blimp," the "Grigsby" following,
+and standing ready to do rescue work
+should the dirigible need assistance.</p>
+
+<p>But the "blimp" not only made her way over
+to shore, but vanished slowly in the distance.</p>
+
+<p>All of the mine-sweepers that had come up
+were ordered by signal to continue sweeping over
+the shoals.</p>
+
+<p>"I want to see more of this work personally,"
+Dave told his executive officer, who was now to
+be left in command. "Clear away one of the
+power launches. I'll take Mr. Ormsby with me."</p>
+
+<p>So Dave was taken over to one of the mine-sweeping,
+snub-nosed craft that had formerly
+been a steam trawler on the Dogger Banks. The
+commanding officer, Hartley, proved most glad
+to welcome them.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll make you as comfortable as we can,"
+promised Hartley.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, please don't do anything of the sort,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72"></a>[<a href="./images/72.png">72</a>]</span>
+Darry protested. "Let us be mere spectators, or
+pupils, and have no fuss made over us. Instruct
+your men, if you'll be good enough, to omit
+salutes and to chat with us, if they have a chance,
+like comrades or pals. We want to see your real
+working ways, not a demonstration."</p>
+
+<p>"All right, then," sighed Mr. Hartley, and
+passed the orders.</p>
+
+<p>"When do you men sleep?" Dave inquired of a
+sailor who paused to light a pipe as he stood well
+up in the bow.</p>
+
+<p>"When the blooming ship is hin dry-dock, sir,"
+answered the British tar.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you have regular watches?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"How long are the watches?"</p>
+
+<p>"Usually twenty-four hours in each day, sir."</p>
+
+<p>Darry laughed, for he knew no living man could
+stand working twenty-four hours a day for any
+length of time.</p>
+
+<p>"You were a trawler before you came into this
+branch of the service?" Ormsby asked.</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir. Hi was a chimney sweep; that's wot
+made me good for this bally old business, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"You like this work?" Ormsby next asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, hit's the next best thing to being
+killed, sir," was the solemn response.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you seen any mine-sweepers destroyed
+while at work?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73"></a>[<a href="./images/73.png">73</a>]</span>
+Instantly the sailor dropped his bantering tone,
+his face becoming solemn in his expression.</p>
+
+<p>"You may well say that, sir," he answered.
+"More mine-sweepers are lost than any other kind
+of naval craft."</p>
+
+<p>"Why is that?"</p>
+
+<p>"Principally, sir, because we 'ave only a
+trawler's speed, and everything else that floats,
+including the National Debt, can overtake us."</p>
+
+<p>"Is there any scarcity of men for this sort of
+work?" Ormsby queried.</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir, it's the 'eight hof a British sailorman's
+ambition, sir, to die early and be buried, sir, in
+water a mile deep. We fairly long for hit, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Hedgeby!" came, indignantly, from Mr. Hartley,
+who had approached unnoticed. "What do
+you mean by chaffing these American officers so
+outrageously."</p>
+
+<p>"Must 'ave mistook my horders, sir," returned
+Hedgeby, saluting his commander. "Some blooming
+bloke told as 'ow these gentlemen wanted to
+be treated like pals."</p>
+
+<p>"The fault is mine, I guess," admitted Mr.
+Hartley, turning to Darrin and Ormsby. "These
+men are always chaffing each other, and they
+thought you wanted some of the same thing."</p>
+
+<p>"We don't object," Dave smiled. "If hot air
+is the motive power that drives these men, then
+we want to sample it."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74"></a>[<a href="./images/74.png">74</a>]</span>
+Hedgeby regarded this last speaker with a puzzled
+expression.</p>
+
+<p>"If you're talking about fuel, sir," he went on,
+as Mr. Hartley moved away, "Hi'll say that 'ot
+air engines wouldn't be no good wotever on these
+'ere craft. Gasoline is what we use, mostly, for
+our engines, sir, though some of the biggest use
+petroleum."</p>
+
+<p>"Hot air is furnished by the men themselves,"
+Dave explained. "It's a favorite fuel at sea."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe, sir, maybe," admitted Hedgeby,
+slowly, looking as solemn as an owl. "Of course
+you know, sir, wot's used on the Yankee boats,
+anyway, sir, and if your Admiralty recommends
+'ot air then no doubt hit's because you Yankees
+know 'ow to use it better than other fuel."</p>
+
+<p>"And the joke of it is," muttered Ormsby, as
+Hedgeby sprang to obey an order, "one can't tell
+whether a chap like that is laughing at us, or
+trying to sympathize with our ignorance."</p>
+
+<p>Dave laughed, then soon forgot the chaffing,
+for he was greatly interested in what he saw of
+the work that was being carried on. Certainly,
+for such a comparatively slow craft, a large area
+of sea surface could be covered in a forenoon.</p>
+
+<p>Presently Hedgeby came back to them, and
+Ormsby tried once more to extract some real information.</p>
+
+<p>"With the amount of speed you can command,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75"></a>[<a href="./images/75.png">75</a>]</span>
+he resumed, "what does a craft like this do,
+Hedgeby, if a German destroyer comes racing
+along after you?"</p>
+
+<p>"We just shut off speed, sir, and the blooming
+destroyer goes by so fast that nine times hout of
+ten she doesn't see us at all."</p>
+
+<p>"But if the destroyer sees you and stops to engage,
+what then?"</p>
+
+<p>Once more the quizzical expression faded from
+the British sailorman's eyes. He stepped back,
+resting one hand on a light gun mounted on a
+swivel pedestal.</p>
+
+<p>"We do hour best with this piece, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"An unequal combat, Hedgeby!"</p>
+
+<p>"You may well say it, sir, but hat least we come
+hout of the fracas as well as does the submarine
+that our sweep locates on the bottom."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you known of any case in which a mine-sweeper
+had any show at all against a German
+destroyer?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; this very craft was the boat, sir. The
+destroyer 'eld 'er fire and come hup close, sir, to
+'ave fun teasing us. Only one shot we fired, sir,
+from our after gun, at the houtset, sir, but that
+one shot carried away the destroyer's rudder just
+below the water line. It was hall a piece of luck,
+sir."</p>
+
+<p>"And then?" pressed Ormsby, for at last Hedgeby
+seemed to be imparting real information.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76"></a>[<a href="./images/76.png">76</a>]</span>
+"Well, of course, sir, the 'Uns started hin at
+once to rig a jury rudder with timbers and canvas."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes?"</p>
+
+<p>"Naturally, sir, we didn't give 'em any time or
+chance we could 'elp, sir. We sailed round and
+round 'er, taking position so that we could play
+both guns on 'er at the same time. She couldn't
+steer, sir, to back 'er aim, that 'ere 'Un, so we
+banged away at 'er stacks and her water line
+until she was worse than 'elpless."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you sink her?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir. She was captured."</p>
+
+<p>"By whom?"</p>
+
+<p>"By two of 'is majesty's destroyers, sir, that
+came up. And maybe you think Hi'm joking, sir,
+w'en Hi tell you that the destroyers were credited
+with the capture because they made the 'Un
+strike 'is colors and take a prize crew."</p>
+
+<p>Subsequently Dave and Ormsby learned from
+Mr. Hartley that this account was a true one.</p>
+
+<p>"But we got a bit of credit in the public press,"
+Hartley added, modestly.</p>
+
+<p>Right after that it was reported that one of
+the wire sweeps had located a bomb. Instantly
+several men were rushed to aid in landing the
+prize. Dave and Ormsby hurried to join the
+group and watch a mine being taken aboard.</p>
+
+<p>On account of its weight the deadly thing was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77"></a>[<a href="./images/77.png">77</a>]</span>
+handled by tackle. Carefully the men proceeded
+to hoist the mine aboard.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll note the little horns standing out from
+the top of the mine," explained Mr. Hartley,
+pointing to the circular mine. "These horns are
+usually called studs. Hit one of these studs even
+a light blow with a tack hammer, gentlemen, and
+the mine would explode. A mine like this is
+more deadly than the biggest shell carried by a
+super-dreadnaught. Let this mine explode, for
+instance, under our hull forward, and it would
+tear us to pieces in a way that would leave us
+afloat for hardly sixty seconds. Moreover, it
+would kill any man standing at or near the rail
+over the point of contact."</p>
+
+<p>He had no more than finished speaking, while
+the mine was being hoisted aboard, than a terrified
+gasp escaped the workers.</p>
+
+<p>For the mine slipped from its tackle, and
+slipped back toward the water, striking the side
+hull in its downward course!</p>
+
+<p>Dave Darrin did not move. He knew there
+would not be time to escape!</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78"></a>[<a href="./images/78.png">78</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2>
+
+<h4>IN THE TEETH OF THE CHANNEL GALE</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Splash!</span></p>
+
+<p>The mine sank below the surface.</p>
+
+<p>A quick turn by the helmsman at the
+wheel, and the course changed violently on the
+instant.</p>
+
+<p>"No stud struck or scraped the side as the mine
+went down!" exclaimed Mr. Hartley, in a voice
+as cool as though he were discussing the weather.
+"That was what saved us."</p>
+
+<p>"That, and the presence of mind displayed by
+your man at the wheel," Dave calmly supplemented.
+"That quick turn of the wheel saved
+your hull under the water line from striking
+against the infernal thing."</p>
+
+<p>"I thought we were goners!" exclaimed
+Ormsby.</p>
+
+<p>"So did I," Dave nodded, "until I saw the thing
+sink and then realized how prompt the helmsman
+had been to act without orders."</p>
+
+<p>"The helmsman's act was almost routine,"
+Hartley continued. "On a craft like this every
+man instinctively knows what should be done in
+any moment of escapable peril."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79"></a>[<a href="./images/79.png">79</a>]</span>
+Dave now withdrew the elbow which, up to
+now, he had leaned against the rail. He knew
+that he had been within a hair's breadth of instant
+death, but there was nothing in his bearing
+to betray the fact.</p>
+
+<p>Hartley quickly gave the order to put about.</p>
+
+<p>"Another try for that slippery customer, eh?"
+queried Ormsby.</p>
+
+<p>"I'd feel like a murderer, if I knowingly left
+that thing in the sea, to destroy some fine craft,"
+declared Mr. Hartley, gravely. "Once we've located
+a mine we never leave it. We'll make the
+'catch' again, but we'll inspect our tackle before
+we try to take it aboard. I think you gentlemen
+had better step back well out of the way."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course we will, sir, if we are really in the
+way," Darrin smiled.</p>
+
+<p>"You're not in our way," Hartley promptly
+denied. "But you will hardly care, should the
+tackle still be defective, to be loitering at the
+point of danger."</p>
+
+<p>"I want to see you repair the tackle," Dave
+replied. "Then I want to see you make the
+grapple again and bring the mine safely on
+board."</p>
+
+<p>"All right, gentlemen, if you love danger well
+enough to take the risk twice when you're only
+spectators," Hartley answered, with a shrug of his
+shoulders.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80"></a>[<a href="./images/80.png">80</a>]</span>
+Again the mine was caught, grappled, and this
+time successfully hoisted on board.</p>
+
+<p>All of this Darrin and his junior officer noted
+carefully, even giving a hand at the work.</p>
+
+<p>Through the day at least one of the mine-sweepers
+continued over this line of shoal, trying
+constantly with the sweeps. Farther out to sea
+Dalzell and the "Reed" accompanied others
+of the craft. By nightfall it was reported that
+more than sixty mines had been picked up.</p>
+
+<p>"The mine-layers must be actively at work in
+these waters," said Dave. "Undoubtedly they
+plant the mines at night, then toward daylight
+move in toward the shoal and hide there during
+the day. We'll try that shoal again after daylight
+to-morrow morning&mdash;weather permitting."</p>
+
+<p>This last Darrin said because there were now
+lurking indications of a coming storm. Dave returned
+to his own craft in time.</p>
+
+<p>By nine o'clock that night, or an hour after the
+new watch had gone on, the wind was howling
+through the rigging in a way that made conversation
+difficult on the bridge.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Fernald, at the rate the weather is thickening
+I shall be on the bridge all night. I shall
+be glad, therefore, if after your last rounds of
+the ship, and after you have turned in your report,
+you will seek your berth and get all the
+sleep you can until you're called."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81"></a>[<a href="./images/81.png">81</a>]</span>
+"Very good, sir," agreed the executive officer.</p>
+
+<p>He would have liked to stand watch in Darrin's
+place, but he knew that, with a gale coming,
+Darrin would not consent.</p>
+
+<p>By this time the destroyer was rolling at such
+an angle that the order was passed for the life-lines.
+Soon after that a second order was issued
+that all men on outside duty must don life-belts.
+Even up on the bridge, with an abundance of
+hand-holds, Dave and Ensign Andrews wore the
+belts.</p>
+
+<p>With a nearly head wind from the northeast
+the "Grigsby" labored in the running seas, spray
+dashing over the bridge and against the rubber
+coats and sou'westers of the two officers. Below,
+on the deck, the water was sometimes several
+inches deep, gorging the scuppers in its flow overboard.
+Officers and men alike wore rubber boots.</p>
+
+<p>"All secure, sir," reported Lieutenant Fernald,
+returning after his last rounds. "A nasty time
+you'll have of it, sir, to-night."</p>
+
+<p>"Like some other times that I've known since
+I took to the sea," Dave shouted back through
+the gale.</p>
+
+<p>Wild, indeed, was the night, yet the stars remained
+visible. The wind had increased still
+more by eight bells (midnight), when the watch
+again changed.</p>
+
+<p>"Is the weather bad enough for you to have to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82"></a>[<a href="./images/82.png">82</a>]</span>
+remain here, sir?" asked Ensign Ormsby, respectfully.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," Darrin nodded. "I am charged with the
+safety of this craft."</p>
+
+<p>Having gone the limit of her northerly patrol,
+the "Grigsby" had now headed about, dipping and
+lunging ahead of the wind and rolling as though
+the narrow craft would like nothing better than
+to turn turtle.</p>
+
+<p>Owing to the fact that neither craft carried
+lights in these dangerous waters Dalzell had
+pulled far off. At this moment Danny Grin and
+the "Reed" were four miles nearer the mainland
+of Europe than the "Grigsby" was.</p>
+
+<p>After an especially heady plunge, followed by
+some wild rolling from side to side, Dave shouted
+in his watch officer's ear:</p>
+
+<p>"Ormsby, I'm going to make the round of the
+deck, to make sure that the life lines are all up
+and secure."</p>
+
+<p>The ensign nodded. He would have preferred
+to go himself, but his place as watch officer was
+on the bridge.</p>
+
+<p>As Dave went down the steps from the bridge
+a seaman on watch sprang to seize his arm and
+steady him.</p>
+
+<p>"I've my sea-legs on," Darrin smiled at the
+sailor.</p>
+
+<p>Then, holding the brim of his sou'-wester down<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83"></a>[<a href="./images/83.png">83</a>]</span>
+before his face, the other hand on a life-line, Darrin
+cautiously made his way aft. The lines along
+the starboard side were secure.</p>
+
+<p>At the stern stood two men, gripping the sturdy
+lines with both hands. Here the decks were
+flooded with seas coming over constantly.</p>
+
+<p>Dave stood with the men for a few minutes, observing
+the combers that rolled against the stern,
+the tops breaking over the side.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll have the stern watch changed every hour,"
+he shouted at the seamen above the gale. "It's
+too wet to stand a full trick here. Remember, on
+coming off, or just before going on, to go to the
+galley and get your coffee."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, sir," replied one of the men, touching
+the brim of his headgear.</p>
+
+<p>Dave released the sternmost life-line to take a
+quick, oblique step toward the port lines. At
+that very instant a huge comber climbed aboard
+over the stern, the great bulk of water lifting
+Dave as though he were but a chip.</p>
+
+<p>As he struggled for his footing he had a brief
+glimpse of one of the sailors battling toward him.
+Then a continuation of the wave carried him
+obliquely forward, lifting him clear of the port
+rail at the quarter and driving him over into
+the sea.</p>
+
+<p>Instantly a hoarse yell rose and was repeated:
+"Commanding officer overboard astern, sir!"</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84"></a>[<a href="./images/84.png">84</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2>
+
+<h4>IN THE HOUR OF DESPAIR</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Dave</span> did not hear the wild, hoarse alarm.
+A mass of water pounded in his ears. He
+felt himself going down as though headed
+for the bottom of the sea.</p>
+
+<p>During what seemed an interminable interval
+Darrin kept his mouth tightly shut. He did not
+struggle to rise to the surface, for he knew that
+as soon as the driving force of the water over him
+had expended itself his belt would carry him up
+to air.</p>
+
+<p>And so it did. As Darrin shook the spray from
+his eyes he made out the "Grigsby" only as a dark
+mass far ahead. Then a wave blotted her out.
+When next he looked he saw nothing. The third
+time he made out a still more indistinct mass,
+which, he judged, was turning to come back and
+look for him.</p>
+
+<p>"Steady, boy!" he urged himself. "The outfit
+aboard that craft will make every possible
+effort to find me. Ah, I knew it!"</p>
+
+<p>For now the ray of the searchlight streamed
+out, trying to pierce the murkiness of the night.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85"></a>[<a href="./images/85.jpg">85</a>]</span></p>
+<p class="figcenter"><a href="./images/85.jpg"><img src="./images/85_th.jpg" alt="&quot;Commanding officer overboard!&quot;" title="&quot;Commanding officer overboard!&quot;" /></a></p>
+<p class="figcenter">"Commanding officer overboard!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86"></a>[<a href="./images/86.png">86</a>]</span>
+By the shifting of the ray, too, he saw that the
+"Grigsby" was putting about.</p>
+
+<p>"They'll pick me up soon with that light," he
+told himself.</p>
+
+<p>He did not permit himself to reflect that, if
+the startled officers and men on the destroyer located
+him it would be by the sheerest good luck.
+A human head rolling among waves on a black
+night is a difficult object to pick up with the
+searchlight.</p>
+
+<p>Dave now struck out enough to keep his
+face turned toward the light. He did not attempt
+to swim toward the destroyer. That long, narrow
+craft circled about, bringing a second searchlight
+to bear.</p>
+
+<p>Then Dave saw the blinkers at the foremast
+head gleam out dully. He even read the signal:</p>
+
+<p>"Lieutenant Commander Darrin overboard.
+Not yet located."</p>
+
+<p>"That's for Dalzell's benefit," Dave told himself.
+"Poor old Danny-boy will be wild, and will
+come steaming over here at full speed. But&mdash;confound
+it! The 'Grigsby' is circling farther
+south. Evidently Fernald thinks he came back
+too far on his wake."</p>
+
+<p>Farther and farther south went the destroyer,
+still sweeping the sea with her two searchlights.</p>
+
+<p>Then Dave beheld, after minutes, another
+searchlight beam crossing the others, and knew<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87"></a>[<a href="./images/87.png">87</a>]</span>
+that Dan Dalzell, aboard the "Reed," was making
+anxious quest for his floating chum.</p>
+
+<p>Both craft, after the "Reed" had once come
+within a quarter of a mile, began operating further
+away. There was nothing on the black,
+roaring waters by which to locate the spot where
+the "Grigsby" had been when her commander
+was hurled overboard.</p>
+
+<p>Twenty minutes passed after the "Reed" had
+come up. There was more talking with the
+blinkers between the two craft. The destroyers
+moved in ever widening, and then contracting,
+circles, but not once did either come near enough
+to pick up a glimpse of that one face that held
+occasionally above the rolling waves.</p>
+
+<p>After an hour of searching there was a sorrowful
+conference between the officers directing the
+signals on the two destroyers. They decided that
+every possible effort had been made, and that
+Lieutenant Commander Darrin was surely lost.</p>
+
+<p>Indeed, at about that time Dave, though he
+was too far away and dashed with too much spray
+to read the signals, had about given up hope.</p>
+
+<p>Chilled to the bone by the icy waters, he had
+at first striven to keep himself warm by such
+exercise as he could apply. But now he was
+weakening.</p>
+
+<p>Had it not been for the unusual vigor of his constitution
+he would have been dead by this time.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88"></a>[<a href="./images/88.png">88</a>]</span>
+It was now only a question of a little more time
+when he must freeze to death.</p>
+
+<p>"All right, Davy-boy," he reflected, almost
+drowsily. "While you were alive you managed
+to do a few things! But poor Belle! I hope
+this isn't going to upset her too much!"</p>
+
+<p>Even the thought of his loved young wife did
+not stir him much, which showed, indeed, that
+Darrin was near the end of his vital resources
+and that he must soon give up his struggle.</p>
+
+<p>After a while the instinct of desperation seized
+him. With a last summoning of his strength he
+began fighting for his life.</p>
+
+<p>"I won't freeze!" he cried, between grinding
+teeth. "I can keep moving a good while yet. I
+won't allow myself to die here. That would be
+no better than suicide!"</p>
+
+<p>For a few minutes more he continued to use
+arms and feet in a determined effort to warm his
+blood against the numbing cold.</p>
+
+<p>"Ha, here comes one of the destroyers, right
+now," Dave laughed, hysterically, as a form
+loomed up in the night and came toward him.</p>
+
+<p>Indeed, that dark mass, which presently resolved
+itself into the hull of a steamship battling
+with the gale, seemed bent on running him down.</p>
+
+<p>Nearer and nearer it came. Dave tried to
+shout, but found his voice too weak to be heard
+above the roar of wind and wave. Though he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89"></a>[<a href="./images/89.png">89</a>]</span>
+fought desperately to get out of the course of the
+oncoming hull, the rolling waters washed him
+back.</p>
+
+<p>His efforts, however, had availed him somewhat,
+for, though he was so close that he could
+almost touch the hull as the bow passed him,
+Darrin felt that he could avoid being run down by
+the ship.</p>
+
+<p>He tried to shout again, but only hoarse noises
+came from his throat. Then something splashed
+close to him as it struck the water. A wave
+washed Darrin against a rope. With all the
+force left in his hands he twined his fingers
+around the strands.</p>
+
+<p>Then, though Dave did not see it, a face peered
+over the rail above. There came a tug at the
+rope, but Dave would not let go. He found himself
+being dragged slowly along with the hull of
+this craft that was battling a head wind.</p>
+
+<p>When the man above found that he could not
+haul up the rope he peered down at the water,
+then set up a yell in some strange jargon.</p>
+
+<p>An instant later a second face appeared behind
+the first. The bright gleam of a pocket flash-lamp
+cut the blackness to the water. There was
+a second exclamation, quickly followed by a command.</p>
+
+<p>A third man joined the other two at the rail.
+Dave blinked upward at the pocket flash-lamp.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90"></a>[<a href="./images/90.png">90</a>]</span>
+He saw something descending, heard a faint whish
+above the noise of the gale, and felt a noose drop
+down over his head and shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>Just how he did it Darrin cannot remember,
+even now, but he managed to slip that noose first
+under one arm pit, then the other, all the time
+keeping a desperate hold of the trailing rope.</p>
+
+<p>A pull from above, then a dull throb of hope
+sent the blood through Darrin's frame as he felt
+the noose gather tightly under his arms. Slowly,
+his body bumping against the rolling hull, he felt
+himself moving upward.</p>
+
+<p>Ready hands seized and hauled him in over the
+rail. At that instant Dave's senses forsook him.
+He collapsed on the deck, a limp, huddled,
+drenched human form.</p>
+
+<p>Nor could he judge how much later it was
+when he opened his eyes again. But cold? Not
+a bit of it! He felt as though he were in a furnace
+room. Stripped, he lay in a berth, two stalwart
+sailors rubbing him under the direction of a third
+person, while a fourth was slowly forcing a hot
+drink down his throat. It was a strangling cough,
+on account of some of the fluid entering his wind-pipe,
+that had brought him back to consciousness.</p>
+
+<p>Opening his eyes, Dave lay quietly, enjoying
+the warmth after his bitter experience. He noticed
+that the sailors who were rubbing him were
+dripping with perspiration. Indeed, they had a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91"></a>[<a href="./images/91.png">91</a>]</span>
+right to drip, for the steam in this little cabin had
+been turned on through two separate services.</p>
+
+<p>Dave tried to speak, but all he could say was:</p>
+
+<p>"Ugh!"</p>
+
+<p>"Good! You don't feel chilled, now?" questioned
+the man who held the hot drink to his lips.</p>
+
+<p>"Gracious, no!" Darrin whispered, hoarsely.
+"I'm roasting."</p>
+
+<p>The man spoke to the sailors, who stopped their
+rubbing and spread a few thicknesses of blanket
+over him.</p>
+
+<p>Dave's next realization was that this unknown
+craft did not roll so heavily as might be expected.
+He reasoned that the ship must be a freighter of
+broad beam.</p>
+
+<p>Languor was stealing over him as the questioner
+asked:</p>
+
+<p>"How do you feel?"</p>
+
+<p>"Like having a big sleep," Dave whispered
+drowsily. His eyes closed and he dozed even before
+he could think to wonder if his brother officers
+on the "Grigsby" and "Reed" knew that he
+was all right.</p>
+
+<p>Putting down the cup of hot drink, the man
+who had done the talking dismissed the three
+others, seated himself on the edge of the berth
+and placed a finger on one of Dave's unresisting
+wrists.</p>
+
+<p>The same man was there, seated on a locker<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92"></a>[<a href="./images/92.png">92</a>]</span>
+and smoking a pipe, when Dave Darrin again
+opened his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>This time Dave sat up rather nimbly, then
+turned, supporting his head on one hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Hullo, there!" Dave hailed, cheerily.</p>
+
+<p>"Getting your strength back, aren't you?"
+queried the stranger.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir! But tell me. Is this the same night
+I was picked up and introduced on board, so to
+speak?"</p>
+
+<p>"The same night."</p>
+
+<p>"About how many hours ago?"</p>
+
+<p>"Five, I guess."</p>
+
+<p>"Then it must be near daylight."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"Any American destroyers sighted hereabouts,
+do you know?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not at last accounts. We have been keeping
+a lookout, too, for your uniform proclaimed you
+to be a Yankee naval officer."</p>
+
+<p>"What ship is this?"</p>
+
+<p>"The 'Rigsdak.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Norwegian?" Dave inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"Danish freighter, homebound from Hartlepool."</p>
+
+<p>"And you're the ship's doctor?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. Unless we meet one of your own country's
+ships you'll be ashore in Denmark before
+noon today. But the sea is so rough that I do not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93"></a>[<a href="./images/93.png">93</a>]</span>
+believe we could transfer you, even if we met one
+of your own craft."</p>
+
+<p>"Denmark isn't such a bad country," Dave
+laughed, pleasantly. "I've been there. And
+you're mighty quick people. It didn't take you
+long to rope and haul me on board."</p>
+
+<p>"Because our second officer had a man in his
+watch who used to be a cowboy in your country,
+and he can handle a lariat well. Travelling
+through these dangerous waters we always carry
+a line forward with a noose at one end. You're
+the third man we've roped out of the water in
+six months."</p>
+
+<p>"But what was that first line that was thrown
+overboard&mdash;I mean the one I grabbed and held
+on to?"</p>
+
+<p>"There was a bucket at the end of that rope,"
+the ship's surgeon informed Dave. "The deck-hose
+is out of order, and a sailor threw the bucket
+over to haul up water with which to wash down
+the passageway."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm thankful he made the cast just at that
+instant," Dave murmured.</p>
+
+<p>"Providence must have directed the cast," replied
+the doctor. "And it wasn't your time to
+die."</p>
+
+<p>"I've no right to die, if I can possibly prevent
+it!" Dave rejoined warmly. "I'm only a small-fry
+officer, to be sure, but even at that I'm needed,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94"></a>[<a href="./images/94.png">94</a>]</span>
+like every other trained American officer, until
+Germany has been taught the great lesson of law
+and morality."</p>
+
+<p>"Amen to that!" agreed the doctor, fervently.</p>
+
+<p>"You're not pro-German, then, like so many of
+your countrymen?" Dave asked, with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>"There are few of us who are pro-German in
+Denmark," replied the ship's surgeon. "Though,
+until your Entente allies can protect us against
+powerful Germany's wrath it is not prudent for
+us to be too outspoken in favor of England,
+France and America."</p>
+
+<p>"From your accent you've been in our country?"
+Dave hinted.</p>
+
+<p>"I took my degree in an American medical
+school, but I am a Dane. And now, sir, your
+name?"</p>
+
+<p>"David Darrin, lieutenant-commander, United
+States Navy."</p>
+
+<p>"And I am Dr. Valpak. And now, Mr. Darrin,
+I advise that you rest your mind, eat what I am
+going to order sent here, and then take another
+nap."</p>
+
+<p>Dave gladly ate of the sea biscuit and soup that
+were brought to him, after which Dr. Valpak felt
+his pulse, administered a drink of something with
+an unfamiliar taste, then uttered the professional
+command:</p>
+
+<p>"Sleep!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95"></a>[<a href="./images/95.png">95</a>]</span>
+Dr. Valpak closed the door from outside. Dave
+closed his eyes, and enjoyed the luxury of another
+nap.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2>
+
+<h4>DAVE MEETS THE FATE OF THE SEA</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was almost nine o'clock in the morning when
+Darrin awoke. He at once realized how refreshed
+he was. His had been a close call,
+but fortunate accident and his own strong body
+had pulled him through.</p>
+
+<p>There on the floor were his rubber boots, on
+the locker his underclothing, while on knobs
+against the cabin wall hung the garments that
+comprised his uniform.</p>
+
+<p>Rising, Dave was delighted to find himself
+still strong. Without ado he drew off and tossed
+across the berth the coarse nightgown that some
+one had put on him. Then he began to dress.</p>
+
+<p>Everything was dry&mdash;indeed, laundered.
+These new Danes of the sea knew how to be hospitable.
+So Darrin dressed, and, when he rang
+for hot water, a steward appeared with the ship's
+barber, who aided in Darrin's toilet. Before this
+had been finished Dr. Valpak thrust his head in to
+inquire:</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96"></a>[<a href="./images/96.png">96</a>]</span>
+"Do I intrude?"</p>
+
+<p>"Only as a personage from the pages of 'Arabian
+Nights,' Doctor," Darrin laughed. "Come in."</p>
+
+<p>Not only did the doctor come in, but soon, also,
+a waiter, who set up a small table made fast to the
+wall, and on it spread such a breakfast as made
+Dave's heart rejoice.</p>
+
+<p>Wind and sea had abated much. The broad
+"Rigsdak" now rode the water with comparatively
+little roll. Dave sat down to enjoy his
+breakfast, and Dr. Valpak soon withdrew.</p>
+
+<p>Just after the finish of the meal the surgeon
+returned, bringing with him this time the ship's
+master, one Kennor, who spoke with a strong
+accent. Dave expressed his thanks for the fine
+care that had been given him.</p>
+
+<p>"And you muss der mate meet," declared Captain
+Kennor, beaming. "He it vass who show
+der light in your face, und den der noose was over
+you drop."</p>
+
+<p>So presently Dave followed these new friends to
+the deck, where he was introduced to the mate.
+He also, through Dr. Valpak, thanked the sailor
+who had cast the bucket-line overboard. The
+seaman who had dropped the noose around him
+spoke English fluently. Dave shook hands with
+both sailors. He then followed Captain Kennor
+and the mate to the bridge.</p>
+
+<p>"You carry only freight?" Dave asked.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97"></a>[<a href="./images/97.png">97</a>]</span>
+"Somedimes passengers," replied Captain Kennor.
+"Two we have dis time. An English lawyer
+und hiss young vife."</p>
+
+<p>The pair just mentioned were seen walking on
+the spar deck forward. The man was well past
+middle age, of fine, rather sharp features and with
+thick gray hair. The woman did not appear to
+be above the age of twenty-five.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Kennor escorted Dave down and introduced
+him to Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Launce.</p>
+
+<p>"One doesn't often hear a story like that of
+your rescue," said Mr. Launce.</p>
+
+<p>"It would have killed you, had you been an
+ordinary man," shivered Mrs. Launce.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you for the inference," Darrin laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"But I have met several of your American
+naval officers," Mrs. Launce continued. "You
+are splendidly big, enduring men."</p>
+
+<p>"Again I must thank you."</p>
+
+<p>"A man accustomed to indoor life could not
+have lived half as long as you did before you were
+picked up," added the lawyer.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you feel your full strength yet?" asked his
+wife.</p>
+
+<p>"Not&mdash;quite, I'll admit," Dave answered.</p>
+
+<p>"Then it will be well if you find a seat, inside,
+too, I should think," continued the Englishwoman.
+"Shall we all go inside? The air is
+cold out here."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98"></a>[<a href="./images/98.png">98</a>]</span>
+Truth to tell, though he was not by any means
+in a fainting condition, Dave Darrin did feel that
+a seat inside, where it was warm, would be much
+to his liking.</p>
+
+<p>So Captain Kennor led them to a small dining
+cabin, where the white cloths had been removed
+from the tables and homely red ones substituted.</p>
+
+<p>"Dr. Valpak told me you expected to make
+port by noon," said Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"Dot vass der hope, but last night's vinds held
+us back more dan ve knew," replied Captain
+Kennor. "Id vill be two dis afternoon before ve
+make&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>He was interrupted by a shattering jar that
+made the ship stagger. It was accompanied by
+a crashing explosion.</p>
+
+<p>Uttering a cry of fright Mrs. Launce sprang to
+her feet.</p>
+
+<p>"Can that be&mdash;" she began.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, madam, a torpedo," Dave replied, rising
+more slowly. "It was evidently a hard hit, but
+this twenty-eight-hundred-ton ship should remain
+afloat at least half an hour, unless another
+torpedo be launched. There is plenty of time.
+Will you permit me?"</p>
+
+<p>There were life-belts at hand. Dave quickly
+and deftly fastened Mrs. Launce's life-belt about
+her, then performed a similar office for her husband.
+This done he went to his recent cabin,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99"></a>[<a href="./images/99.png">99</a>]</span>
+where he donned his own belt and stepped out
+on the deck, joining his fellow passengers.</p>
+
+<p>Struck on the port side, just forward of her
+boilers, the "Rigsdak" was already listing considerably
+to that side.</p>
+
+<p>"The captain and the first officer are below,"
+hailed Dr. Valpak. "They will examine the ship's
+injuries and decide. It may not be necessary to
+abandon ship."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Launce turned to Darrin, who had just
+turned back from the port rail. She looked at
+him so imperatively that he nodded and replied:</p>
+
+<p>"We shall have to take to the boats. This ship
+is not going to float. Her pumps will not save
+her, for the hole in the side is beyond temporary
+repairs."</p>
+
+<p>Within two or three minutes Captain Kennor
+and his mate appeared, confirming Dave's verdict.</p>
+
+<p>Darrin had already looked out over the sea,
+but he had been unable to make out any sign of
+the presence of a submarine.</p>
+
+<p>"Could it have been a mine?" demanded Mr.
+Launce.</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir," Dave answered, promptly. "Had
+we struck a mine the explosion would have been
+much more violent."</p>
+
+<p>"Then a torpedo provides sufficient experience
+of this sort of thing," cried Mrs. Launce, making
+a face.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100"></a>[<a href="./images/100.png">100</a>]</span>
+"Der passengers vill my boat go in!" called
+Captain Kennor. "Dere vill time be."</p>
+
+<p>Again Mrs. Launce glanced inquiringly at Darrin,
+who nodded his confirmation.</p>
+
+<p>Three boats were cleared away, carrying most
+of the crew and all the officers except the master.
+The boats were safely launched, and fortunately
+the sea was not too rough for them.</p>
+
+<p>Then Captain Kennor appeared, carrying a
+bag and his navigating instruments.</p>
+
+<p>"Are your ship's papers and instruments intended
+for the Germans, sir?" Dave inquired,
+significantly.</p>
+
+<p>"No; you be right," admitted Captain Kennor,
+opening his eyes wide, after a brief moment's
+thought.</p>
+
+<p>Going to the rail he tossed bag and instruments
+over into the sea.</p>
+
+<p>Then the last boat was lowered, the seamen
+who remained behind jumping as soon as their
+work was completed, and being picked up from
+the water.</p>
+
+<p>"Ve shall but a few hours of rowing haff," declared
+Captain Kennor. "It vill not so hard be
+upon uss."</p>
+
+<p>Dave was thinking of another prospect, but
+did not voice his thought. The men in the captain's
+boat gave way at the oars, Kennor steering.
+The other boats had already pulled well clear of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101"></a>[<a href="./images/101.png">101</a>]</span>
+the coming foundering, and now the captain's
+boat followed. The "Rigsdak" was likely to remain
+afloat for some minutes yet.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought so," muttered Darrin, pointing to
+where a gray conning tower was emerging from
+the sea.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Kennor gave an order in his native
+tongue, and the men in his boat ceased rowing.</p>
+
+<p>"Dey vill uss hail, so ve need not be too far
+avay," he explained to his passengers.</p>
+
+<p>After the conning tower the gray back of the
+sea pest rose into view. The manhole of the
+tower was opened and an officer appeared, followed
+to the deck by a few seamen, two of whom
+stationed themselves by a gun that popped up
+into view.</p>
+
+<p>"Come alongside!" shouted the officer, in
+English, through a megaphone.</p>
+
+<p>Again Captain Kennor's oarsmen gave way,
+their skipper heading for the submarine.</p>
+
+<p>"That will do. Cease rowing," commanded the
+German officer. "What ship is that yonder?"</p>
+
+<p>"Der Danish freighter, 'Rigsdak,'" replied
+Captain Kennor.</p>
+
+<p>"And its master?"</p>
+
+<p>"Dat iss me."</p>
+
+<p>"Come aboard."</p>
+
+<p>At the order Dave, who had quietly loosened
+his belt and holster containing his automatic re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102"></a>[<a href="./images/102.png">102</a>]</span>volver,
+quickly dropped them overboard on the
+side farthest from the German craft.</p>
+
+<p>There was sufficient sea running to make the
+task of getting close alongside a difficult one.
+A German sailor reached out to catch Kennor's
+arm and aid him aboard the submarine.</p>
+
+<p>"And your instruments and papers," ordered
+the German officer, sharply.</p>
+
+<p>"I did not dem with me bring," replied Kennor.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps that will be so much the worse for
+you," was the scowling reply. "We want the
+papers, and we have need, especially, of ship's
+instruments."</p>
+
+<p>The German eyed Dave Darrin curiously. The
+American officer's uniform was concealed under
+his sou'-wester, rubber coat and boots, but after
+a moment's inspection, the German said curtly:</p>
+
+<p>"You, too, will come aboard."</p>
+
+<p>As refusal would have been absurd under the
+circumstances Darrin promptly obeyed. Instantly
+the German officer snatched a fold of
+Darrin's rubber coat, pulling it aside and thus
+revealing a glimpse of the uniform beneath.</p>
+
+<p>"Take off that rubber coat!" the Hun ordered,
+brusquely.</p>
+
+<p>Flushing slightly, Dave obeyed, his uniform
+now being fully revealed.</p>
+
+<p>"Ha!" snarled the Hun. "I suspected something
+of the sort. <ins class="err" title="Transcriber's Note: deleted superfluous quotation mark">You</ins> two will go down through<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103"></a>[<a href="./images/103.png">103</a>]</span>
+the manhole. And this man and woman are
+passengers? They will come aboard."</p>
+
+<p>Captain Kennor led the way below, Mr. and
+Mrs. Launce following. Dave, as he reached the
+manhole, turned to see the "Rigsdak" vanish beneath
+the waters.</p>
+
+<p>Then Dave Darrin stepped inside the conning
+tower and began to descend the ladder&mdash;a German
+prisoner at last!</p>
+
+
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2>
+
+<h4>THREATS TO A PRISONER</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">As</span> for the seamen in the boat, the officer,
+after a scowling stare in their direction, ordered
+them also on board, where he had
+them lined up forward.</p>
+
+<p>"Take off those life-belts," he ordered, still in
+English, and a seaman who understood interpreted
+to his fellow-Danes.</p>
+
+<p>Off came the life-belts, which were dropped to
+the deck. German sailors then kicked them all
+overboard.</p>
+
+<p>Now the submarine began to move slowly.
+A shot was fired from the forward gun into the
+lifeboat, wrecking and sinking her. This done,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104"></a>[<a href="./images/104.png">104</a>]</span>
+the German seamen followed their officer in
+through the manhole, which was closed.</p>
+
+<p>For at least two miles the submarine moved
+along on the surface, then, slowly, began to submerge.
+One of the Danish sailors on deck set up
+a howl of fright when he found his shoes six
+inches under water. The cry was taken up by
+the other sailors with him.</p>
+
+<p>The water rose to their knees&mdash;higher. The
+conning tower settled down into the sea, and the
+wretched sailors of the captain's boat were left
+floundering in the water, without life-belts or
+anything buoyant to keep them afloat.</p>
+
+<p>The last vestige of the submarine vanished,
+leaving more than a dozen despairing men to
+flounder and to die, for the "Rigsdak's" other
+boats were now too far distant to see what had
+happened.</p>
+
+<p>Going below, Dave and his friends from the
+"Rigsdak" were conducted into a tiny wardroom
+behind the mess table at which sat a frowning,
+leering German ober-lieutenant.</p>
+
+<p>"A ship's master who did not like us well
+enough to bring his papers and his instruments,"
+barked this commanding officer of the sea-hornet.
+"An Englishman and his young wife, eh? But we
+have here&mdash;?"</p>
+
+<p>"An American naval officer," replied the
+younger German officer.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105"></a>[<a href="./images/105.png">105</a>]</span>
+For some reason the ober-lieutenant's manner
+changed. He looked Dave over curiously, but
+without the same ferocity.</p>
+
+<p>"Be good enough to be seated," he said, with a
+wave of the hand toward a chair. "Let these
+swine stand!"</p>
+
+<p>But Dave chose to remain on his feet. Again
+the ober-lieutenant turned to him, though with
+comparative courtesy.</p>
+
+<p>"I offered you a seat, sir. I trust you will avail
+yourself of the invitation."</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot seat myself, sir," Darrin answered,
+stiffly, "while a lady is forced to stand."</p>
+
+<p>"Then the woman will have a seat too," replied
+the ober-lieutenant, with a contemptuous glance
+in Mrs. Launce's direction. But that young
+Englishwoman met his look of contempt with a
+glance that beat the German at his own game,
+and remained on her feet.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, very well," said the German commander,
+carelessly. "Now, I will enter in my log the name
+and other particulars concerning the master of
+the 'Rigsdak.'"</p>
+
+<p>Captain Kennor accordingly supplied the particulars,
+which were written down.</p>
+
+<p>"The English cattle next!" ordered the ober-lieutenant,
+gruffly.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Launce therefore stated the names, ages
+and residence of himself and wife.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106"></a>[<a href="./images/106.png">106</a>]</span>
+"Your reason for travelling?" rasped the German
+commander, looking up from his record.</p>
+
+<p>"Health," replied the Englishman, stiffly.</p>
+
+<p>"Whose?"&mdash;sneeringly.</p>
+
+<p>"Mine."</p>
+
+<p>"You do not look ill."</p>
+
+<p>"That cannot be helped," replied Mr. Launce,
+as stiffly as ever.</p>
+
+<p>"You must have passports, since you are travelling,"
+suggested the ober-lieutenant.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; we have," admitted Mr. Launce.</p>
+
+<p>"Turn them over to me."</p>
+
+<p>Receiving the documents in question, the German
+commander looked them over carefully.
+Without comment, he handed them to a younger
+officer, who left the room with them, but soon returned.</p>
+
+<p>"Take these people away," ordered the ober-lieutenant.
+"And see that you obey all orders
+without question," he added, to Kennor and the
+English couple.</p>
+
+<p>When they had been left alone the ober-lieutenant
+rose to his feet, holding out his hand to
+Darrin though a bit stiffly.</p>
+
+<p>"We are brothers in arms, it seems, though just
+now we are enemies," said the German.</p>
+
+<p>"We are enemies, yes," Dave admitted, ignoring
+the outstretched hand. At this the German
+flushed, allowing his proffered hand to fall.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107"></a>[<a href="./images/107.png">107</a>]</span>
+"You shall have all permissible courtesy while
+you are my prisoner, and I trust you will show the
+same," said the ober-lieutenant.</p>
+
+<p>"I bespeak no courtesy, sir," Dave replied
+coolly, though without direct affront. "I quite
+understand that I am a prisoner of war, and, as
+I cannot help the fact, I will not resent it. You
+are going to confine me, I take it?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," said the ober-lieutenant, again seating
+himself and picking up his pen. "You will be
+given quarters, and allowed some freedom as
+long as you do not forfeit it. You may even eat
+at table with us."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," said Darrin, bowing stiffly.</p>
+
+<p>"I have not yet entered your name. Be good
+enough to supply me with it."</p>
+
+<p>"David Darrin."</p>
+
+<p>"Rank?"</p>
+
+<p>"Lieutenant commander."</p>
+
+<p>"Yankee Navy?"</p>
+
+<p>"United States Navy, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Present detail?"</p>
+
+<p>"Commanding officer of a torpedo boat destroyer."</p>
+
+<p>"Her name?" demanded the ober-lieutenant,
+writing.</p>
+
+<p>"I decline to state."</p>
+
+<p>"Name of the destroyer?" insisted the German.</p>
+
+<p>"You heard my answer to that," Darrin re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108"></a>[<a href="./images/108.png">108</a>]</span>turned,
+his lips tightening. "I refuse to reveal
+the name of the destroyer."</p>
+
+<p>"Her present station?"</p>
+
+<p>"I decline to answer."</p>
+
+<p>"Your reason for being away from your craft
+and being aboard the 'Rigsdak'?" queried the
+German, glancing up.</p>
+
+<p>"I was washed overboard in a gale, and rescued
+by the crew of the 'Rigsdak'," Dave answered,
+truthfully, without going into details.</p>
+
+<p>"Were you washed overboard from the craft of
+which you are commanding officer?" pressed the
+German.</p>
+
+<p>"Again I must decline to answer."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, very good," said the ober-lieutenant, carelessly.
+"I shall find that out presently."</p>
+
+<p>Then, as he scanned the information he had
+written down, the German asked:</p>
+
+<p>"Darrin? Darrin? Where have I heard that
+name before?"</p>
+
+<p>Picking up another book from the table, the
+ober-lieutenant turned rapidly through some indexed
+pages. Suddenly a gleam came into his
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, here I have it. Darrin, David. Responsible
+for the capture and recognition of Ober-Lieutenant
+von Bechtold. Witness against von
+Bechtold, who was executed in England as a
+spy. Ha! So you are the Darrin, eh?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109"></a>[<a href="./images/109.png">109</a>]</span>
+"I may be," half-assented Dave, feeling the
+other's burning gaze.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I am glad to have you here, Lieutenant-Commander
+Darrin!" cried the German officer,
+"but I am afraid things will go badly indeed with
+you when you arrive in Germany!"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2>
+
+<h4>LIKE THE FRENCH AND ENGLISH</h4>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Indeed?</span>" asked Dave, raising his eyebrows
+slightly.</p>
+
+<p>"You cannot expect that the people of the
+Fatherland will feel any great kindness toward
+you," pursued the ober-lieutenant.</p>
+
+<p>"Why should they dislike me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because you brought about the death of von
+Bechtold, and he was an officer most valuable to
+our government."</p>
+
+<p>"If you caught an American spy in Germany
+would you arrest him?"</p>
+
+<p>"Assuredly," admitted the German officer.</p>
+
+<p>"And do your best to prove your charge against
+him and have him executed."</p>
+
+<p>"Again, assuredly."</p>
+
+<p>"That was what I did, in the case of von
+Bechtold."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110"></a>[<a href="./images/110.png">110</a>]</span>
+"Bah, you are like the French and English!"
+snapped the ober-lieutenant. "You can never
+get it through your heads that a German is more
+important than one of your kinds of people."</p>
+
+<p>"No," Dave agreed, "I am afraid that we cannot
+appreciate that fact, or even admit it to be a
+fact."</p>
+
+<p>"And now, before you leave me," broke in the
+German officer, quickly, "tell me the name of your
+destroyer and the station on which you last
+served."</p>
+
+<p>Dave smiled, but did not answer in words.
+The ober-lieutenant regarded him frowningly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, very good," said the German, at last.
+"There are those in Germany who know how and
+possess the means to make you talk. Your record
+shall be completed there. And now&mdash;!"</p>
+
+<p>Going to the wardroom door the ober-lieutenant
+called:</p>
+
+<p>"Lieutenant von Schellen!"</p>
+
+<p>The same younger officer came to the door.</p>
+
+<p>"Be good enough to show Lieutenant Commander
+Darrin to his quarters and extend to him
+any courtesies that you properly may. It is not
+fitting that a man of his rank should have to receive
+orders from a seaman."</p>
+
+<p>"This way," directed von Schellen, briefly. He
+led the way down the narrow passage to a curtained
+doorway.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111"></a>[<a href="./images/111.png">111</a>]</span>
+"In here you will find your home until we
+reach Germany," said von Schellen. "If you wish
+exercise you may leave your sleeping cabin and
+walk back and forth in this passage-way. If the
+ober-lieutenant should decide to be gracious
+enough to invite you to the wardroom, then you
+will also have the freedom of that room&mdash;at
+meal hours only. You will not go to any other
+part of this craft."</p>
+
+<p>With a curt nod the young lieutenant left
+Dave. Perhaps von Schellen had done his best
+to be courteous.</p>
+
+<p>Pulling back the curtain Dave looked in. It
+was a stuffy little place, just long enough to hold
+two berths, one above the other, against the
+outer shell of the submarine. In the upper berth
+Captain Kennor lay at full length, a hand over
+his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"We are cabin-mates, then?" Dave asked,
+gently.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, so I been told," the Dane answered
+gloomily.</p>
+
+<p>"And you in the upper berth? Why did you
+not take the lower one? It is more comfortable."</p>
+
+<p>"I vould no so presume!" protested the Dane.
+"Not wid a man of your rank."</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't rank enough in our naval service to
+feel conceited about it," Darry smiled, "and you
+are considerably older than I. Any difference<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112"></a>[<a href="./images/112.png">112</a>]</span>
+there may be in comfort is your due. Will you
+kindly exchange?"</p>
+
+<p>Not without some difficulty did Dave succeed
+in inducing Captain Kennor to change to the
+lower, broader berth of the two. Dave, after removing
+his boots and some of his clothing,
+climbed to the upper berth, spreading a blanket
+over himself and lying down, for he felt that rest
+was absolutely needed.</p>
+
+<p>At the noon-meal hour the ober-lieutenant
+sent an orderly to invite Darrin to the table,
+though the same invitation was not to be extended
+to Captain Kennor, who would be expected
+to eat with the German petty officers.
+But, as Dave and Captain Kennor were asleep
+at the time, the orderly departed without waking
+them.</p>
+
+<p>It was past the middle of the afternoon when
+Dave Darrin at last awoke sufficiently to decide
+upon rising. Getting to the floor, and noting
+that Captain Kennor was still asleep, Dave
+dressed almost by stealth.</p>
+
+<p>While he was still so engaged there came a
+slight knock at the door. A German petty officer
+looked in.</p>
+
+<p>"The ober-lieutenant sends his compliments,"
+announced the fellow, in English. "He will be
+pleased to have you join him. I will lead the
+way."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113"></a>[<a href="./images/113.png">113</a>]</span>
+Dave followed, down the passage and out into
+the main cabin. There, at a table under the conning
+tower, sat the ober-lieutenant and the same
+younger officer.</p>
+
+<p>"We will raise the periscope and show you
+what we are about to do," said the ober-lieutenant,
+with a half-malicious smile.</p>
+
+<p>Von Schellen, his hand on the wheel of the
+periscope mechanism, awaited a nod from his
+chief. Receiving it, the younger officer turned the
+wheel, sending the periscope up a foot above
+water.</p>
+
+<p>On the white surface of the shaded table beneath
+Dave saw the image of a vessel.</p>
+
+<p>"The fellow yonder has not yet sighted us,"
+said the ober-lieutenant, grimly. "We are about
+to send him a torpedo. Yonder craft is to be our
+game&mdash;Yankee steel and Yankee meat!"</p>
+
+<p>As for Dave, as he stared in horror at the image
+on the table he recognized in the ship mirrored
+there Dan Dalzell's own command, the "Reed."</p>
+
+<p>Forcing himself to speak calmly, and to act a
+part Dave begged:</p>
+
+<p>"One moment longer, please! Let me see
+whether I can recognize the doomed craft."</p>
+
+<p>"Doomed, indeed," chuckled the ober-lieutenant.
+"We are in position and I am about to
+fire. Be ready to drop the 'scope, von Schellen!"</p>
+
+<p>But Dave Darrin, knocking von Schellen's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114"></a>[<a href="./images/114.png">114</a>]</span>
+hand away, seized the lever, forcing the periscope
+to rise to its full height above the conning tower.
+Nor did he stop there. With the mightiest twist
+and wrench of which he was capable he jammed
+the lever so that it could not be promptly operated
+to lower the periscope.</p>
+
+<p>"Stop!" thundered von Schellen, leaping to his
+feet, his face purple with rage.</p>
+
+<p>"I've stopped," assented Darry, smilingly, as he
+stepped back.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you realize what you have
+done, scoundrelly Yankee?" hissed the ober-lieutenant,
+also rising and drawing his revolver.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I do," Dave smilingly assented.</p>
+
+<p>"You have jammed the periscope. But at least
+we can dive when we need, for&mdash;there!"</p>
+
+<p>With deft manipulation of a small device the
+German commander added:</p>
+
+<p>"I have closed the valves of the 'scope, which
+will now admit no water if we dive. You did not
+succeed, Herr Darrin. But you will draw upon
+us the Yankee fire if yonder commander is now
+able to sight our scope."</p>
+
+<p>As if to verify the statement a muffled sound
+came to them through the water. Glancing down
+swiftly at the table von Schellen saw that reflected
+which caused him to exclaim:</p>
+
+<p>"The Yankee destroyer has opened upon us
+with her forward port gun. And there goes the
+starboard gun!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115"></a>[<a href="./images/115.png">115</a>]</span>
+Von Schellen, at a nod from his chief, signalled
+the orders for diving. The ober-lieutenant saw
+the "Reed," as pictured on the white table, come
+steaming toward the submarine at full speed.</p>
+
+<p>"You idiot!" raged the German commander.
+"Your treachery has betrayed us, and now the
+Yankee will do his best to sink us and drown all
+on board here."</p>
+
+<p>"That's what I'm praying right now he'll do!"
+cried Dave Darrin, his face radiant with the glory
+of the thought.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2>
+
+<h4>A VICTIM OF COURTESY</h4>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">And</span> what about the woman we have on
+board?" demanded the ober-lieutenant,
+hurriedly. "Would you destroy her,
+too&mdash;cause her, if you could, to die the death of
+drowning helplessly?"</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;I had forgotten her," Dave confessed.</p>
+
+<p>But from the passageway came a prompt response.</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind me," called Mrs. Launce. "I
+have heard, and I, also, pray to see this pirate
+craft destroyed before it can accomplish any more<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116"></a>[<a href="./images/116.png">116</a>]</span>
+wickedness and destruction. My own death does
+not matter!"</p>
+
+<p>"Silence, woman!" cried the ober-lieutenant,
+glaring at Mrs. Launce.</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Launce has spoken, and has no more to
+say," broke in the unruffled voice of Caleb
+Launce.</p>
+
+<p>"Is that the way you address women when they
+are helpless?" Dave demanded, tauntingly.</p>
+
+<p>"When they take part in conversations without
+being asked," the German answered, curtly.</p>
+
+<p>"I have heard it was a way with the naval men
+of your country," Dave drove back, tauntingly.</p>
+
+<p>Von Schellen reported:</p>
+
+<p>"We are now sixty feet below the surface, and
+headed west by southwest. Any further orders?"</p>
+
+<p>"None," replied the commander. "Keep to the
+course until I direct it to be changed."</p>
+
+<p>With a stiff salute von Schellen turned and
+vanished.</p>
+
+<p>"Your Yankee friend shall not catch us this
+time," jeered the ober-lieutenant. "Listen! Can
+you hear his propellers? We are going directly
+away from him."</p>
+
+<p>"He will catch you, in the end," Darrin retorted,
+"or some other comrade will. I know how
+many of your craft our Navy has put out of commission,
+and I know how many our Allies have
+destroyed."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117"></a>[<a href="./images/117.png">117</a>]</span>
+"But you do not know how many submarines
+we have left, nor how fast we are building them,"
+mocked the German commander.</p>
+
+<p>"Do not be too sure of that," Dave retorted.
+"It may be that our information is more exact
+than you suspect."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you anything definite to say on that
+subject?" demanded the ober-lieutenant, regarding
+his prisoner attentively.</p>
+
+<p>"Naturally not."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, as I shall be busy, will you be good
+enough to return to the bounds set for you?"</p>
+
+<p>Dave bowed, turned and re-entered the passage-way.
+The German naval officer's manner
+toward him had not been insulting. There was
+an evident effort to treat Darrin with the outward
+show of respect that should be accorded to a
+prisoner of his rank. Yet Dave knew that his
+enemy hated him.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. and Mrs. Launce were in the passage-way,
+and Captain Kennor could be heard stirring in
+his cabin.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Darrin, we are now at good depth under
+water?" inquired Mr. Launce.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; I believe so. We are not to be caught
+and destroyed just yet."</p>
+
+<p>"That I am sorry to hear," replied the lawyer,
+gravely.</p>
+
+<p>"And, I, too, am sorry," spoke up Mrs. Launce.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118"></a>[<a href="./images/118.png">118</a>]</span>
+"Life has been sweet to me, but I would much
+rather be dead than a captive in Germany. I
+condole with you, Mr. Darrin, that it was not
+possible for you to bring about the destruction
+of this wretched craft."</p>
+
+<p>"It will, before long, go the way of the other
+German submarines," Dave assured her, hoping
+that there were enemy eavesdroppers who would
+overhear and understand.</p>
+
+<p>At best exercise in this narrow short passage
+was a farce, though it was often more agreeable
+to be out here than sitting in the cramped space
+of one of the tiny sleeping cabins. The four
+prisoners rested, or moved listlessly about, until
+the evening meal was ready. Then Captain Kennor
+was summoned to eat with the petty officers,
+while Dave and his English companions received
+word to join the craft's officers in the tiny wardroom.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Launce glanced at Dave with a questioning
+look.</p>
+
+<p>"Really, Mr. Darrin, I would as soon starve as
+eat with those German officer fellows, and my
+wife feels as I do about it."</p>
+
+<p>"And my idea is the same," Dave answered.</p>
+
+<p>So Mr. Launce turned to the German mess
+servant, delivering in German a message to the
+effect that the three prisoners did not care to join
+the officers at mess.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119"></a>[<a href="./images/119.png">119</a>]</span>
+Thereupon von Schellen came out.</p>
+
+<p>"What is the matter?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"We don't care to eat with you, sir," Mr.
+Launce replied, bluntly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, very well," replied the junior officer, carelessly.
+"You three, then, may eat at second table
+after we are pleased to be through."</p>
+
+<p>Clicking his heels and wheeling, the junior
+officer went back to the wardroom. The three
+prisoners waited more than an hour before the
+same mess attendant came and beckoned them
+to enter.</p>
+
+<p>They were alone, now, save for the presence of
+the ober-lieutenant, who was seated at one end
+of the table writing. He did not look up as they
+entered and seated themselves.</p>
+
+<p>The meal set out was a coarse one, in quality
+of food, but there was plenty of it. The three
+prisoners ate slowly, almost in silence, nor did
+they address their host.</p>
+
+<p>Before the meal was over the German commander
+left the room without word or sign to his
+guests.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, the boat has stopped!" exclaimed Mrs.
+Launce, in a low voice, some three minutes later.
+"Are we resting on the bottom?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think I shall soon be able to answer you,"
+Darrin replied.</p>
+
+<p>Soon machinery began to rumble.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120"></a>[<a href="./images/120.png">120</a>]</span>
+"We are on the surface," said Dave, laying
+down knife and fork. "We are recharging batteries."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Launce leaned forward to whisper:</p>
+
+<p>"Then surely there is some chance that one of
+our own craft will hear the racket. We may be
+fired upon and sunk, do you not think?"</p>
+
+<p>"You are eager for death?" Dave asked, studying
+her face.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. I prefer death to being taken to Germany."</p>
+
+<p>"And I, too," Dave nodded.</p>
+
+<p>"Have they anything against you there?" Mrs.
+Launce whispered, after glancing about her.</p>
+
+<p>"Only, I believe, that I brought about the capture
+and execution of one of their most valuable
+spies."</p>
+
+<p>"That would be enough," whispered Mr.
+Launce. "For that the Germans would not
+openly try and execute you, but they will find
+other ways to bring about your death."</p>
+
+<p>Instantly it occurred to Darrin that, evidently,
+some one in official Germany knew of something
+to bring against Mrs. Launce, for her question
+to Darrin had indicated as much.</p>
+
+<p>As they sat there at the table the young American
+officer noted that the submarine rolled hardly
+at all. It was plain that the recent gale had
+subsided, for the slight rocking of the boat indi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121"></a>[<a href="./images/121.png">121</a>]</span>cated
+only a gentle swell on the surface of the sea.</p>
+
+<p>In the doorway appeared Lieutenant von
+Schellen. In his right hand, steadied by his left,
+was what looked like an album. Glancing up
+from a page the junior officer remarked, with
+quick speech and decided emphasis:</p>
+
+<p>"You are the Countess of Denby."</p>
+
+<p>By a great effort the Englishwoman turned
+slowly, glancing at the German.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!" she exclaimed. "You have another
+woman prisoner? You are bringing her here. I
+am sorry that she is in your hands."</p>
+
+<p>"<i>You</i> are the Countess of Denby!" von Schellen
+charged again, once more levelling his accusing
+finger at her. "And you, sir," shifting the
+direction of his finger to point at the supposed
+Mr. Launce, "are the Earl of Denby!"</p>
+
+<p>"I have risen in the world since I went to sea!"
+jested the Englishman.</p>
+
+<p>"We know who you are, now," von Schellen
+continued, with brutal bluntness, "and we know
+as much more about you as we need. We know
+of the Admiralty office that you visited, and we
+know the information that you two were expected
+to gather along the Kiel Canal when you should
+have entered Germany! Oh, you will soon understand
+that we have most excellent information
+from England! You journeyed to Denmark
+on a poor old tramp steamer, under assumed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122"></a>[<a href="./images/122.png">122</a>]</span>
+names and with fraudulent passports furnished
+by your government. From Denmark you were
+to work your way to Holland, and thence into
+Germany, which country you would enter with
+still other passports furnished you in Holland.
+We know all about the noble pair of Denby! Of
+course you will deny this, but save your denials
+for use before a German court!"</p>
+
+<p>Having said which von Schellen turned and
+left them. The Englishman and woman gave
+each other a swift, horrified glance, then lowered
+their eyes. As they looked up again Dave sent
+them a swift glance of sympathy, but there was
+a look of defiant pride on the Englishwoman's
+face.</p>
+
+<p>The same thought was in the minds of all three.
+Von Schellen or some other German had been
+eavesdropping near enough to hear the whispered
+conversation that had taken place.</p>
+
+<p>That was a fair ruse for use in war-time. Darrin,
+as he looked at the English pair, felt sure
+that they really were the Earl and Countess of
+Denby.</p>
+
+<p>From the cabin under the conning tower came
+a chorus of hoarse laughter. The Englishwoman's
+swift look said plainly:</p>
+
+<p>"They are laughing over the discovery that
+they have made."</p>
+
+<p>After that, gloom fell upon the trio. Darrin<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123"></a>[<a href="./images/123.png">123</a>]</span>
+had never heard, before, of the Earl of Denby.
+Later he learned that the Earl had led a recluse's
+life among books until the war began. About
+that time he had married a young noblewoman,
+and the pair had gone promptly into effective
+war work, though not in ways that caused their
+portraits to be published in the illustrated
+weeklies.</p>
+
+<p>Von Schellen re-appeared five minutes later,
+casting first a look of triumph at the English
+couple, next turning to Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"The American officer may take the air briefly
+on deck if he so desires," said the German. "It is
+by gracious permission of the commanding
+officer."</p>
+
+<p>Darrin's first impulse was to decline, unless his
+companions were included. He changed his mind,
+however, for he had an intense desire to find out,
+if possible, in what waters the craft now was. So
+he rose, bowing to his table companions, and
+followed von Schellen to the conning tower ladder.
+Here he passed Herr Ober-Lieutenant and
+bowed stiffly.</p>
+
+<p>"I am trusting you on deck," said the latter,
+with a frown. "It is a courtesy. Do not abuse
+it by any untoward conduct."</p>
+
+<p>Then Dave followed his conductor up into the
+tower, von Schellen all the while keeping sharp
+lookout to see that Darrin did not attempt to do<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124"></a>[<a href="./images/124.png">124</a>]</span>
+any damage to the levers on the indicator board.</p>
+
+<p>Von Schellen, preceding him to the deck,
+turned to say, as Darrin reached the platform:</p>
+
+<p>"Observe. Your desperate trick did not harm
+us for long. You will note that the periscope is
+again lowered. In fact, a new one has been put
+in its place. We have tested the new periscope
+and its bearings, and have found that they work
+perfectly. Your treachery, with which you repaid
+the commanding officer's courtesy, did not
+avail you much."</p>
+
+<p>Darrin did not reply. Instead, he turned to
+survey the night on all sides. Overhead were
+heavy clouds, obscuring the light of the moon,
+which, in its present phase, would have furnished
+considerable light over the waters. There was a
+fine mist in the air, but the sixth sense of the
+sailor warned Dave not to expect rain tonight.</p>
+
+<p>Despite the cloudiness, however, one could see
+for a considerable distance over the slightly rolling
+sea. There was no other craft in sight.</p>
+
+<p>"You do not see much hope," mocked von
+Schellen. "We have chosen a quiet part of the
+sea, as you will notice."</p>
+
+<p>"You usually try to do that, don't you?" Dave
+asked, in a tone of ordinary curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>"You must know," laughed the junior officer.
+"You have spent months pursuing our submarines."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125"></a>[<a href="./images/125.png">125</a>]</span>
+"And have had some success in catching them,"
+Dave answered.</p>
+
+<p>Von Schellen's laugh was bitter as he rejoined:</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! You are a good boaster! But do not
+go too far, Herr Darrin! Do not make me wish
+to strike you!"</p>
+
+<p>"I wouldn't care how soon you struck me,"
+Darrin smiled, "provided I could be assured of a
+fair field and no favor in defending myself. But
+I think we are going too far in our talk, are we
+not, when one considers the consideration that a
+captor must show to a prisoner of war. As a
+gentleman you cannot strike me; nor, as a gentleman,
+can I seek to provoke you to do so. The
+situation is one calling for tact, Herr Lieutenant."</p>
+
+<p>"And I cannot forget that you are taking occasion
+to remind me of the fact," retorted von Schellen,
+a dark look coming into his face.</p>
+
+<p>"Then may I, as the prisoner of war, ask that
+the subject be changed?" Dave Darrin suggested.</p>
+
+<p>"By all means," von Schellen returned, quickly,
+though he was able to perceive that the American
+had again succeeded in putting him in the
+wrong.</p>
+
+<p>Just a moment later a petty officer appeared
+on deck. Taking two or three steps toward the
+junior officer he halted, saluted, and then remained
+standing at attention, as though waiting.</p>
+
+<p>Von Schellen stepped over to the man, and a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126"></a>[<a href="./images/126.png">126</a>]</span>
+conversation followed in low tones, but did not
+last long.</p>
+
+<p>"If you care to remain on deck and watch,"
+said the junior lieutenant, "you will see something
+that may interest you."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2>
+
+<h4>GERMAN BRUTALITY AT ITS WORST</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Just</span> behind the conning tower a jointed steel
+mast was raised and stepped by three seamen
+who came at the petty officer's order.</p>
+
+<p>Farther astern a narrow, ledge-like trapdoor
+of steel was raised, and from this was taken and
+stepped another steel jointed mast. The seamen
+now worked quickly in rigging aerial wires in
+place. In a very short time the work was completed,
+and the petty officer saluted von Schellen.</p>
+
+<p>"You cannot fail to understand what we are
+doing," hinted the young German officer.</p>
+
+<p>"You are about to send or receive radio messages,
+I take it," Dave replied.</p>
+
+<p>"You have been told, of course, that we always
+report our whereabouts after dark?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it is common knowledge with the Allies,"
+Dave admitted. "And also that you receive in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127"></a>[<a href="./images/127.png">127</a>]</span>structions
+from the home offices of your Admiralty."</p>
+
+<p>There was a crackling sound on the aerials, followed
+by others, some short, some long.</p>
+
+<p>"A wonderful invention, is it not?" asked von
+Schellen, with satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and first developed outside of Germany,"
+Dave bantered, good-humoredly.</p>
+
+<p>"True enough, but we have known how to take
+the radio and adapt it to all our needs," retorted
+von Schellen.</p>
+
+<p>"Your operator is now reporting your whereabouts,
+of course."</p>
+
+<p>"That would seem likely, wouldn't it?" the
+other demanded.</p>
+
+<p>"And then you will receive information."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; and sometimes we have even messages
+for our men from their homes," laughed von
+Schellen. "More! I have even had tender messages
+from my sweetheart! And have answered
+them in kind!"</p>
+
+<p>For a moment Dave stared in astonishment.
+He knew von Schellen for a truly heartless brute.
+The idea that any woman could love this fellow
+came almost as a shock. And that Schellen could
+have any tender feelings! Wonders would never
+cease.</p>
+
+<p>"Of what are you thinking, if I may ask?" the
+German went on.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128"></a>[<a href="./images/128.png">128</a>]</span>
+"After information coming to you," Darrin
+hinted, "it almost goes without saying that you
+receive your orders."</p>
+
+<p>"Surely we receive them," nodded the German,
+"if we happen to need any. But in our line
+of professional work, after we have received information
+we do not often need orders. We know
+how to use our information."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course," Dave went on, "any other radio
+operator who is within hearing distance can pick
+up your messages, so you do not send them in
+open German but use a code, or rather, a series of
+codes."</p>
+
+<p>"If your radio men have ever picked up any of
+our messages," retorted the young German, "you
+must know that you were not able to decipher
+their meaning."</p>
+
+<p>"We could not always decipher them," Darrin
+admitted.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean by that?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, it is possible, of course, that sometimes
+we and our Allies have some keys to the German
+use of code messages."</p>
+
+<p>"You assert that?" questioned von Schellen,
+rather eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"No, and I do not deny it, either," Dave smiled.</p>
+
+<p>"You are interesting, but discreet," complained
+the German, banteringly.</p>
+
+<p>"And I may say as much of you," Dave con<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129"></a>[<a href="./images/129.png">129</a>]</span>tinued.
+"Naturally, you know some things that
+you would not tell me, and I know a few things
+that I would not dream of telling you."</p>
+
+<p>"And, instead, you hint at things that are not
+so, and perhaps I do about the same thing," returned
+von Schellen.</p>
+
+<p>After that silence fell for some minutes. Dave
+walked back and forth, the junior officer watching
+him keenly.</p>
+
+<p>Overhead the crackling at the aerials continued,
+with occasional intervals of silence when
+the operator below was busy receiving messages.</p>
+
+<p>Again a petty officer approached von Schellen,
+saluting and reporting in an undertone.</p>
+
+<p>"It is time for you to go below," announced
+von Schellen, turning to Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"I appreciate very much this opportunity to
+take the fresh air," Dave said, politely, as he
+turned toward the conning tower.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I guess you're welcome," said the lieutenant,
+shortly, and with a meaning smile, "though
+sometimes there is such a thing as too much
+outdoor life."</p>
+
+<p>To Darrin's mild astonishment, as he stepped
+below, a folding table had been set up, and around
+this were seated the ober-lieutenant and two other
+officers, one of them an engineer. Von Schellen,
+at a nod from his chief, made the fourth at the
+table.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130"></a>[<a href="./images/130.png">130</a>]</span>
+Into this cabin were brought the English couple
+and the Danish master. Several sailors stood
+about. The occasion began to take on a formal
+look, which was heightened when the ober-lieutenant
+laid on the table a small sheaf of papers.</p>
+
+<p>"First of all, you, Herr Darrin," began the ober-lieutenant.
+"There can be no doubt that you are
+Darrin?"</p>
+
+<p>Dave thrust a hand in under his sheepskin,
+bringing to light a card-case. From it he withdrew
+a pasteboard which he laid on the table.</p>
+
+<p>"That is my card," he said.</p>
+
+<p>The ober-lieutenant studied it deliberately, then
+passed it to another officer as he continued:</p>
+
+<p>"And you do not deny that it was you who captured
+Ober-Lieutenant von Bechtold of the Imperial
+German Navy. You were the principal
+witness against him when he was tried in Britain
+for being a spy?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do not deny it, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"That is all. You may step back."</p>
+
+<p>As Darrin drew back he could not escape the
+feeling that two of the seamen near him regarded
+him as being their especial prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>"And now, the Earl and Countess of Denby,"
+called the ober-lieutenant.</p>
+
+<p>The English couple remained as motionless and
+appeared as unconcerned as though they had not
+heard.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131"></a>[<a href="./images/131.png">131</a>]</span>
+"You two, I mean," insisted the ober-lieutenant,
+turning to them.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh," said the man, and stepped forward, his
+wife following him.</p>
+
+<p>The ober-lieutenant eyed the pair impressively
+before he asked them:</p>
+
+<p>"You do not deny that you are the Earl and
+Countess of Denby?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," replied the man.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! Then you admit it?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," he said, promptly.</p>
+
+<p>"But either you must be, or you cannot be, the
+noble couple whom I have named. Which is it?"</p>
+
+<p>"That is for you to determine," replied the man.</p>
+
+<p>"But what do you say yourselves?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing."</p>
+
+<p>"But you must answer my question!" the commanding
+officer insisted angrily.</p>
+
+<p>"You fatigue me," declared the man.</p>
+
+<p>"You have not answered my question, and
+won't?"</p>
+
+<p>"We have nothing to say."</p>
+
+<p>Frowning, the ober-lieutenant whispered to a
+petty officer, who had placed on the table the same
+album that von Schellen had brought to the wardroom
+door. The commanding officer opened the
+album, pointing to two photographs that adorned
+a page.</p>
+
+<p>"These are your photographs, are they not?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132"></a>[<a href="./images/132.png">132</a>]</span>
+he demanded, glancing up at the pair. But no
+reply came from them.</p>
+
+<p>"At least," said the ober-lieutenant, stiffly, "you
+have been given abundant opportunity to deny,
+and have declined to do so. Our imperial government
+has had sufficient information that you
+two have recently entered the British secret service.
+It is even known to the imperial government
+that you two recently undertook to penetrate
+into Germany, under even another assumed
+name than Launce, and that you planned to spy
+upon what was to be learned along the Kiel Canal.
+You even had some of your arrangements made
+for performing that seemingly very difficult piece
+of spy work. You have been charged, and you
+refuse to deny. It is the same as a confession
+on your parts. The Earl and Countess of Denby
+will stand aside."</p>
+
+<p>Two sailors, at a sign from the ober-lieutenant,
+drew the English pair back.</p>
+
+<p>"Martin Kennor, once master of the Danish
+freight steamer 'Rigsdak!'" called the commander.</p>
+
+<p>Promptly the Danish skipper stood forward.</p>
+
+<p>"There can be no doubt at all that you answer
+the description just given?" demanded the ober-lieutenant.</p>
+
+<p>"None vatever," agreed Kennor.</p>
+
+<p>"The only fault to be found with you," con<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133"></a>[<a href="./images/133.png">133</a>]</span>tinued
+the ober-lieutenant, "is that you had the
+misfortune to be found in such company, and that
+later on your tongue might prove too long and
+ready. That is all!"</p>
+
+<p>Von Schellen, again on his feet, signalled to
+some of the seamen, then said:</p>
+
+<p>"The prisoners will follow me."</p>
+
+<p>To the amazement of all he led the way to the
+conning tower. After him the sailors herded the
+four prisoners of war. They ascended the ladder,
+the Englishwoman being the last of the four. Her
+husband and Captain Kennor assisted her as she
+stepped through the manhole to the deck outside.</p>
+
+<p>"But this is unkind," she declared, with a shiver.
+"My husband and I have not our outer wraps, and
+the night is chilly."</p>
+
+<p>"I will mention the matter," replied von
+Schellen, stiffly.</p>
+
+<p>The wireless masts and aerials had disappeared.
+As the four passengers stood on the deck and wondered,
+the seamen entered the submarine through
+the manhole in the wake of von Schellen. When
+the last of them had gone into the conning tower
+the junior lieutenant re-appeared at the manhole
+to call:</p>
+
+<p>"A pleasant evening for four!"</p>
+
+<p>Then the manhole cover was closed and there
+came to those on deck a muffled sound connected
+with fastening it on the inside.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134"></a>[<a href="./images/134.png">134</a>]</span>
+"What does this new insolence mean?" cried the
+Englishwoman.</p>
+
+<p>"If you do not guess, you must soon know," replied
+her husband, throwing an arm about her.
+It was then that Mrs. Launce understood. She
+turned pale, but did not cry out.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps a full minute passed before the submarine
+began to move forward. Dave Darrin,
+familiar with the sounds from below, knew that
+the rumble of machinery coming to his ears was
+caused, not by the engines used in surface running,
+but by the electric motors employed when running
+under water.</p>
+
+<p>"The brutes are going to drown us, as they did
+the hapless sailors they took from our boat!"
+gasped the Englishwoman.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, my dear," replied her husband, "and you
+have said that you would prefer drowning to being
+a prisoner in Germany."</p>
+
+<p>"I still say it," she answered quietly.</p>
+
+<p>"We are to have our wish," said her husband.</p>
+
+<p>Dave Darrin remained immobile; Captain Kennor
+shrugged his shoulders without speaking.</p>
+
+<p>The prow of the craft dipped into the water,
+which soon came creeping up around their ankles.
+The forward deck was now out of sight, the water
+in which they stood rising toward their knees.</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135"></a>[<a href="./images/135.png">135</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2>
+
+<h4>FACING THE PLANNED DEATH</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Turning</span> to Darrin the Englishman held
+out his hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-bye" he said, simply. "You have
+been a good comrade. I trust you have not been
+disappointed in us, either."</p>
+
+<p>"Let's not say good-bye yet," urged Dave cheerfully.
+"Surely we are not going to give up and
+drown, merely because a lot of German rascals so
+will it."</p>
+
+<p>"But we cannot last long in the water," protested
+the Englishman, mildly.</p>
+
+<p>"At least, sir," Dave suggested, "we shall not
+die until we have to. You swim?"</p>
+
+<p>"Once I did."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you can swim now. The sea is nearly
+smooth. Let us try to keep together. And you,
+Captain Kennor? You swim?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"Good. We'll keep together as long as we can."</p>
+
+<p>At this moment the Englishwoman, the shortest
+of the quartette, gave a little cry as she found her
+footing giving way beneath her.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136"></a>[<a href="./images/136.png">136</a>]</span>
+"All together!" cried Darrin, with a cheeriness
+he did not feel, as he gripped the woman's left
+arm.</p>
+
+<p>Another drop of the deck sent them all adrift.
+The Englishman supported his wife on her right.
+Captain Kennor, nearly silent, but undaunted,
+swam slightly behind the others that he might
+offer aid wherever needed.</p>
+
+<p>Strangely enough, though the swimmers spoke
+to each other occasionally, none now referred to
+the dastardly conduct of the enemy in setting
+them thus adrift to drown.</p>
+
+<p>"You are cold, my dear, I know," said the
+Englishman to his wife. "Are you suffering otherwise?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; but though I would not willingly drown
+myself, I shall not be sorry when we give up and
+go down."</p>
+
+<p>"Had I felt that way the last time I found myself
+in the water," spoke up Dave, "I would not
+be here now."</p>
+
+<p>"You had on a life belt. Now none of us has,"
+answered the Englishwoman, her teeth chattering.
+"We cannot last long."</p>
+
+<p>"After my last experience, madam," Dave assured
+her, "I shall never dare say that as long as
+life lasts."</p>
+
+<p>"Why not face facts calmly?" she asked.
+"Probably I shall last a quarter of an hour before<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137"></a>[<a href="./images/137.png">137</a>]</span>
+I die of cold. I may survive for twenty minutes
+or a little longer. You are strong, and may keep
+up for an hour or more. What can possibly come
+to our aid in that short time?"</p>
+
+<p>"Who can say?" was Dave's counter-question.</p>
+
+<p>For some time, they swam in silence. They did
+not attempt to make progress. Motion enough to
+keep afloat was all that was called for.</p>
+
+<p>All at once Dave wondered whether his eyes
+were playing him tricks, or whether he really saw
+the top of a conning tower approaching him. It
+was not likely that the enemy would remain
+about, and come back to see how it fared with the
+victims of their cruelty.</p>
+
+<p>Then the something in the water took on another
+vague shape. Darrin shook his head in an
+effort to get the water out of his eyes. He peered
+again. The shape, whatever it was, and if it really
+existed, was beginning to get on his nerves. It
+seemed to come nearer.</p>
+
+<p>"Captain Kennor!" called Darrin, sharply.</p>
+
+<p>"Aye!" responded the Dane.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you still swimming strongly?"</p>
+
+<p>"Aye!"</p>
+
+<p>"Then will you swim ahead and see what it is
+that my eyes show me on the water?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, aye!"</p>
+
+<p>With lusty strokes the Dane swam around him,
+and then ahead.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138"></a>[<a href="./images/138.png">138</a>]</span>
+"A little more to the left!" called Dave.</p>
+
+<p>Then Captain Kennor believed that he saw it,
+too, and headed straight for the object. Getting
+nearer he sent back a real cheer.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" Darrin called.</p>
+
+<p>"A spar!"</p>
+
+<p>"Any size?"</p>
+
+<p>"Large enough us to hold all up! Swim dis vay!
+Alone, can I hardly push it to you."</p>
+
+<p>Neither Dave nor the Englishman needed
+urging. They swam, still bearing the woman between
+them. The sight of the Dane ahead of them
+holding to the spar with one arm, and holding up
+the other hand, heartened them wonderfully.</p>
+
+<p>Soon all three had gained the spar, and Captain
+Kennor, drawing a cord from his pocket, soon succeeded
+in lashing the Englishwoman so securely
+to the spar that she could not slip away and perish.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, you will remember what I said about not
+giving up," Dave reminded his companions.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, yes, I am buoyed up, and perhaps you
+men can manage to hold on, also," admitted the
+woman. "Yet we must freeze to death."</p>
+
+<p>"We will still dare to hope," Darrin replied,
+calmly.</p>
+
+<p>"You are a splendid inspiration, Mr. Darrin!"
+declared the Englishman, heartily. "I wish I
+could believe that you are a true prophet, as well."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139"></a>[<a href="./images/139.png">139</a>]</span>
+"Oh, well," spoke Dave, with a lightness that
+was deceptive, "I've really been in several worse
+scrapes than the present one."</p>
+
+<p>But to himself he added:</p>
+
+<p>"May I be forgiven for uttering what seems to
+me to be a possibly helpful lie!"</p>
+
+<p>Though they were now safely afloat for some
+time to come, their situation rapidly became
+worse, owing to the increasing cold. Especially
+was this noticeable in the case of the Englishwoman.</p>
+
+<p>From time to time her eyes closed. When
+spoken to she had to exert considerable effort to
+shake off her languor before she could reply. She
+became still more drowsy; evidently she was on
+the verge of freezing to death. From speaking
+kindly her husband dropped into sharp tones for
+the sole purpose of keeping her awake. Presently
+he was forced to resort to light blows in order to
+bully her into wakefulness. Once she fell soundly
+asleep she would not again awake.</p>
+
+<p>As for Captain Kennor, he held on almost
+dumbly. He seldom spoke, his eyes mournfully
+regarding the woman whose battle for life was
+slowly being lost.</p>
+
+<p>"This is awful!" cried the Englishman, hoarsely,
+after another effort to rouse his wife from slumber.</p>
+
+<p>"For all of us," Darrin admitted, "though there
+is still hope."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140"></a>[<a href="./images/140.png">140</a>]</span>
+"Where?" inquired Captain Kennor.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not know," Dave confessed. "Yes, I do,
+too, though! Look yonder! No, in that direction!"</p>
+
+<p>At first the others could not make it out. Captain
+Kennor was the first to see what Dave had
+found. It was only a low, dark cloud on the
+horizon, and it looked as though smaller clouds
+detached themselves and sailed away on the low-hanging
+sky.</p>
+
+<p>"I see it, too!" cried the Englishman, at last.
+"But what is it?"</p>
+
+<p>"A ship," Dave answered. "To be more exact,
+it looks like a destroyer, and it looks too as though
+it might pass within a quarter of a mile of us."</p>
+
+<p>"Look, my dear&mdash;look!" the Englishman
+urged his wife, shaking her in his eagerness to
+have her realize the thread of hope that dangled
+before their eyes. "A ship coming! We are to be
+saved."</p>
+
+<p>Her eyes opened at last; the woman struggled
+bravely to show interest in the sight that half-cheered
+the others, but she could not. She was
+too far gone, and her eyes closed again.</p>
+
+<p>"Keep your wife awake, sir, if you have to begin
+to pull her hair from her head!!" It was a
+command. "See how near that craft is getting.
+Jove, sir! I believe it is one of our own Yankee
+ships!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141"></a>[<a href="./images/141.png">141</a>]</span>
+"But they will not come close enough to see us,"
+objected Captain Kennor, with the practiced eyes
+of the veteran seaman. "They are not using their
+searchlight, and we have no way of signalling to
+them."</p>
+
+<p>Without speaking Darrin tried a desperate hope.
+In one of his hands something gleamed out into
+the night.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" demanded the Dane. "Himmel!
+Der flashlight! Vere or ven did you by dat
+come?"</p>
+
+<p>"I found it in the locker of our sleeping cabin,
+and hid it in my clothes," Dave answered, as he
+again tested the light. "I did not want to speak
+of it unless there should come some hope to us.
+This light was evidently left by some German who
+had used that cabin. It's waterproof, too. When
+I found it I had a hope that it might come in
+handy before I got through with this adventure.
+And now!"</p>
+
+<p>Waiting only a minute or two longer, Dave,
+clinging to the spar with one arm, held the other
+hand as high aloft as he could.</p>
+
+<p>"Help!" he signalled by flashes in the Morse
+code. "Help!"</p>
+
+<p>"It is such a tiny glow, to carry so far!" sighed
+the Englishman.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe id vill seen be," said Captain Kennor.</p>
+
+<p>Dave continued to signal until, to his great joy,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142"></a>[<a href="./images/142.png">142</a>]</span>
+there came an answering signal from a blinker
+light which asked:</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Four castaways, clinging to a spar. Help before
+we freeze!" Dave flashed back, desperately.</p>
+
+<p>"If only the commander of that boat does not
+suspect us of being a German submarine springing
+a trap!" cried the Englishwoman.</p>
+
+<p>A searchlight flashed up, then its broad beam
+stretched across the waters as the operator tried
+to pick up the floating ones.</p>
+
+<p>Dave threw the flash into a continuous light
+while the searchlight beam continued groping.
+Then, in a blessed instant, the beam struck almost
+blindingly across the spar and the four human
+beings held up by it.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, they've spotted us," Dave cried, exultingly.
+"They won't run away and leave us without
+a look-in."</p>
+
+<p>Holding the spar with the searchlight beam, the
+destroyer changed its course, bearing down rapidly
+upon them. Then it stopped and a motor
+launch was lowered from davits.</p>
+
+<p>With a burst of speed the launch came alongside
+the spar. Busy hands were outstretched.
+The Englishwoman was the first to be taken
+aboard, after a few quick slashes had freed her
+from the binding cord.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, here's Lieutenant Commander Darrin!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143"></a>[<a href="./images/143.jpg">143</a>]</span></p>
+<p class="figcenter"><a href="./images/143.jpg"><img src="./images/143_th.jpg" alt="&quot;Help!&quot;" title="&quot;Help!&quot;" /></a></p>
+<p class="figcenter">"Help!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144"></a>[<a href="./images/144.png">144</a>]</span>
+exclaimed a voice. Dave, almost too weak to
+speak, was hustled into the boat, then the other
+two men were taken over.</p>
+
+<p>Blankets were wrapped about the rescued ones,
+and the launch dashed back to her ship.</p>
+
+<p>"A woman, Lieutenant Commander Darrin
+and two other men!" the officer in charge of the
+launch hailed the destroyer.</p>
+
+<p>"Darrin!" cried a voice. There was even greater
+bustle at the top of the gangway that had been
+lowered as the launch ran alongside. As swiftly
+as possible the four rescued ones were rushed up
+the side.</p>
+
+<p>"Old Darry himself, eh?" cried a joyous voice,
+as Danny Grin hurried up. "Has the woman any
+relative in the party?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; her husband," Dave answered weakly,
+then collapsed.</p>
+
+<p>"Take the woman and her husband to my
+quarters," Dalzell directed. "Have a cot put in
+and lashed for the husband, and put the woman in
+the berth. Mr. Darrin and the other man will go
+to the sick bay."</p>
+
+<p>Willing hands bore the rescued ones as ordered.
+Dan himself followed Dave's bearers down to the
+sick bay and there supervised the treatment given
+Dave and Captain Kennor, while the medical
+officer went to Dan's quarters, the best on the
+craft.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145"></a>[<a href="./images/145.png">145</a>]</span>
+The Englishman was soon more comfortable.
+His wife, however, required serious attention.
+Dalzell shook his head over Dave, who appeared
+all in and not able to talk.</p>
+
+<p>"Was he in the water longer than the rest of
+you?" asked Dalzell, as soon as Captain Kennor
+was able to talk.</p>
+
+<p>"No; but he vas der water in vonce before,"
+was the reply. "Der second time he could stand
+not so well."</p>
+
+<p>That gave Dan the clue. As soon as the medical
+officer could be spared from the care of the
+Englishwoman for a few moments he was ordered
+to the sick bay.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Darrin may pull through, but I won't
+guarantee anything," said the surgeon, after an
+examination. "The chances are all against him.
+I am afraid the woman is going to die also."</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146"></a>[<a href="./images/146.png">146</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2>
+
+<h4>DAVE PLEDGES HIS WORD FOR RESULTS</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">That</span> double report helped Dan Dalzell to
+make up his mind.</p>
+
+<p>"Run straight for port," he ordered the
+executive officer, naming the nearest British haven
+that offered rail connection.</p>
+
+<p>In an hour and a half the destroyer had dropped
+anchor at the port.</p>
+
+<p>More medical aid was brought aboard, including
+a trained nurse for the Englishwoman.</p>
+
+<p>A few hours after daylight the woman had recovered
+sufficiently to warrant her removal to a
+hospital on shore. No strong hopes were yet entertained
+of keeping her alive for more than a day
+or two. Her husband had stood the watery ordeal
+much better.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Kennor, who, with Dave, was taken to
+the hospital later in the day, had nearly recovered
+by the day following.</p>
+
+<p>But for Dave Darrin there followed black
+hours. According to the doctors a severe case of
+pneumonia was about the best that could be predicted
+for him.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147"></a>[<a href="./images/147.png">147</a>]</span>
+On the day after he was taken ashore Darrin
+opened his eyes with a light of recognition in
+them. At the foot of the cot, in a chair, sat a
+stalwart, youthful figure. Dan Dalzell, whose
+orders took him to sea again that night, was waiting
+to the last for better news.</p>
+
+<p>"Dan," Dave called, softly, and Dalzell was instantly
+bending over him.</p>
+
+<p>"David, little giant, did you know that the
+'Reed' had the good luck to pick you up?" asked
+Dan, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"I had a notion of it, but I was too dazed to
+know really," Darrin answered.</p>
+
+<p>"I've been here about all the time ever since,"
+Dan went on. "I wanted to know the news of
+you as soon as it could be had. But you're going
+to be all right, now."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I am," agreed Dave, feebly.</p>
+
+<p>Unseen by the man on the hospital cot, Dan
+signalled with one hand. Down the ward came a
+doctor, followed by a young woman wearing the
+blue cape ulster of the Red Cross. There was a
+quick, glad cry; soft lips touched Dave's face.</p>
+
+<p>"Belle!" gasped Dave, delightedly.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going to be allowed to sit by you quite a
+bit, dear, if you don't try to talk to me," replied
+the steady voice of Belle Darrin. Summoned by
+cable sent by Dan, Belle had journeyed swiftly
+from France.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148"></a>[<a href="./images/148.png">148</a>]</span>
+"And now I'm off and back to my ship, Belle,"
+said Dan. "But I know you'll find a way to get a
+radio message through to me when Dave is improved
+enough to warrant it. Good-bye, Darry,
+old chap!"</p>
+
+<p>And Dan was off, not because he didn't want to
+stay, but because he knew his chum would want
+to see the most of Belle. As for that young woman,
+who held none too positive hopes of Darrin's
+recovery after what the doctors had told her, she
+forced herself to be calm and smiling and sat close
+by, her hand on Dave's forehead when he dropped
+off into a feverish, troubled sleep.</p>
+
+<p>The next day Belle chatted with her husband a
+little, in a cool, steady voice. Two days after that
+Dave was actually permitted to sit up.</p>
+
+<p>On the sixth day after he had been taken to
+the hospital Dave was mending so rapidly that
+Belle, who was obliged to leave that afternoon for
+her Red Cross post in France, felt wholly easy
+in mind as to his condition.</p>
+
+<p>"It was a lucky chain of events, my two swims
+in the channel," Darrin told her before they
+parted.</p>
+
+<p>"Lucky, when the experience nearly cost you
+your life?" exclaimed Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"It gave you an excuse for coming to me, and
+gave me the time and leisure to be with you."</p>
+
+<p>"Dave Darrin, you don't mean any such thing!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149"></a>[<a href="./images/149.png">149</a>]</span>
+You are needed aboard your ship, and I am needed
+for my work in France, and nothing can be called
+really good luck that takes either of us away from
+his post of duty in war-time."</p>
+
+<p>"You little patriot!" Dave laughed, jestingly.</p>
+
+<p>"You believe it just as much as I do," Belle
+maintained stoutly. "I'm glad to have been here
+with you, dear, but I shall be glad to find myself
+back at my post. And you know you are glad
+that you will return to your ship tomorrow."</p>
+
+<p>"If she comes in," Darrin amended.</p>
+
+<p>"Dave, aren't you nearly wild to get back to
+duty?" she persisted.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I am, for as you say, dear, we are all
+needed at the posts assigned to us. There is another
+reason why I must get back. The work
+that has been cut out for us is not proceeding as
+it should. We have made some good 'catches' in
+the way of mines, yet the fact is that mines are
+being planted much faster than we have been
+taking them up. I must get back to duty and see
+if I can find out what is wrong."</p>
+
+<p>Buttoning his overcoat tightly Dave Darrin
+walked with Belle to the railway station. The
+train left so soon after their arrival that there
+were not many moments left the young couple
+for leave-taking. After the train had started Dave
+watched it out of sight. There had been something
+uncomfortable in his throat, but as he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150"></a>[<a href="./images/150.png">150</a>]</span>
+turned away the lump vanished and his jaws set
+squarely.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, my work is cut out for me," he told himself.
+"I can do only one man's part in this war,
+but I must do that to the limit and try to make
+the world a safe place of residence for that little
+woman and all others like her!"</p>
+
+<p>No sooner was the "Grigsby" in port, the next
+forenoon, than Lieutenant Fernald came ashore
+and straight to the hospital.</p>
+
+<p>"Going on board today, sir?" was Fernald's
+greeting.</p>
+
+<p>"You couldn't keep me ashore any longer,"
+Darrin declared.</p>
+
+<p>"Good enough!" said the executive officer,
+heartily. "We need you, sir! We've been doing
+our best, but the enemy has been gaining on us.
+Last night two ships struck mines and went down
+before rescue could reach them. The Germans
+are beating us at this mine game, and something
+must be done, which, of course, sir, is another way
+of saying that a way must be found to do the
+right and necessary thing."</p>
+
+<p>"I've been thinking that over for twenty-four
+hours," Darrin went on. "As soon as we are
+aboard I want to talk the whole situation over
+with you. Will Dalzell be in today?"</p>
+
+<p>"In about an hour, sir, I think. He needs fuel
+and some food supplies."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151"></a>[<a href="./images/151.png">151</a>]</span>
+"Then we'll hold a council of war in the chart-room,"
+Dave decided, as he buttoned up his coat.
+"I'm ready, Fernald."</p>
+
+<p>Dave had already thanked the hospital authorities,
+and taken leave of them, so the two young
+naval officers passed outside, made their way down
+to the water front, and soon thereafter stepped
+aboard the "Grigsby," reporting their arrival on
+board to the watch officer. Dave also saw that the
+forward gun damaged in the fight with the German
+destroyers had been replaced by a new one.
+From the gangway they went direct to the chart-room.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll hear the reports on the work now, Fernald,"
+Dave announced.</p>
+
+<p>Two of the papers that came under Dave's
+hand especially interested him. One was a detailed
+list of the ships that had struck mines
+during the last week in the waters in which he
+and Dalzell had been operating. The other document
+contained a report on the discovery and
+sinking of one fighting submarine and one submarine
+mine-layer.</p>
+
+<p>From these reports Dave turned to the charts
+of the local waters. When Fernald came back
+with Dan Dalzell, Dave was still poring over the
+charts.</p>
+
+<p>"From the rapid way in which German mines
+are being planted in these waters," Dave told his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152"></a>[<a href="./images/152.png">152</a>]</span>
+brother officers, "I am satisfied that the enemy
+submarines do not usually go all the way back to
+the base port. I believe that the mine-layers are
+often met by other craft that supply them with
+mines, and that the submarine mine-layers return
+quickly to the job of planting mines. Now, the
+sea area in which the mines are planted leads me
+to feel certain that the mine-layers rest frequently
+on these three shoals."</p>
+
+<p>Dave pointed on the chart to the shoals in
+question.</p>
+
+<p>"How many mine-sweeping craft have we now
+under our orders?" he inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"Nine," said Dan, promptly.</p>
+
+<p>"How many of them can we spare from mine-sweeping?"</p>
+
+<p>"None," Dalzell replied, positively.</p>
+
+<p>"Either we must spare some, or we must have
+some sweeper craft added to our fleet," Dave went
+on. "There are three of these shoals, and hereafter
+I want two mine-sweepers to spend their
+time dragging their wires over each shoal. That
+will take six craft, and these will not have time
+to do any sweeping in the open sea. We cannot
+clean up the mines themselves with three craft,
+can we?"</p>
+
+<p>"Plainly not," Dan agreed, "since, with all nine,
+we have not been able to find and take up all the
+mines we should have located."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153"></a>[<a href="./images/153.png">153</a>]</span>
+"Then we shall have to have more craft," Dave
+nodded. "Yet if we cannot have more craft assigned
+to this work, we must go ahead with what
+we have and do more work. But I believe that the
+hunt over the shoals should be kept up day and
+night, without rest, for I am satisfied that the
+enemy mine-layers rest on these shoals more frequently
+than we have supposed."</p>
+
+<p>After some further conversation Dave had his
+launch cleared away and went over to a British
+battleship for a conference with the British
+admiral in command in those waters. The best
+the admiral could do was to supply him with
+three of the hundred-and-ten-foot patrol boats.
+These, however, were provided with sweepers and
+possessed good speed.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you're right, Mr. Darrin," said the admiral,
+at the close of the interview. "To be frank
+with you, your predecessor in the work of cleaning
+up enemy mines in this area was a British naval
+officer, considerably older than yourself. He is a
+very capable man in many ways, but we felt that
+he had been so long on coast work that he was
+growing much too stale. So, when I decided to
+transfer him to other duties I thought of trying
+one of your American officers, a young man, full
+of spirit, and fresh for this work. So I asked your
+admiral for some one, and he sent Dalzell and
+yourself."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154"></a>[<a href="./images/154.png">154</a>]</span>
+"So far," said Dave, "I have not done any better
+than my English predecessor, sir?"</p>
+
+<p>"Frankly you have not, yet we must remember
+to deduct your very necessary week in hospital.
+However, you have done some other excellent
+things. The capture of the mine-laying neutral,
+the 'Olga,' for instance, was a splendid bit of work.
+The fight that you and Mr. Dalzell had with
+the three enemy destroyers was a fine job. But
+the mines in these waters continue to be as much
+of a menace as before."</p>
+
+<p>"They won't be, by this time next week, sir. I
+promise that," said Dave, rising. "How soon can
+the commanders of the three patrol boats report
+to me?"</p>
+
+<p>"At once. All three are here in the harbor, and,
+I am told, they are ready to put to sea."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, sir, I propose, within a week, to hand
+you a wholly satisfactory report," Darrin went on.
+"I had to put in some time on the ground, and it
+was necessary to study a new problem. Then came
+a series of adventures that took me out of the
+work for a while. But now, sir, I hope to show
+you something new&mdash;results!"</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155"></a>[<a href="./images/155.png">155</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2>
+
+<h4>DARRIN SUSPECTS THE GERMAN PLAN</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The</span> three shoals selected by Darrin extended
+over a length of about thirty miles along the
+coast. It was the center one of these shoals
+on which he had had <ins class="err" title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'prevous'">previous</ins> experience.</p>
+
+<p>Further, it was arranged that Dalzell should, in
+general, cruise along the lower fifteen miles of this
+stretch, while the "Grigsby" should cover the
+upper half. From time to time the two destroyers
+would meet.</p>
+
+<p>After sending three mine-sweepers and the three
+patrol boats to the shoals, two craft to each shoal,
+Darrin saw to it that the other six were assigned
+to duty in the deeper waters off shore.</p>
+
+<p>Then, with a hearty signal to the "Reed," the
+"Grigsby" started northward. She steamed by
+the southernmost shoal, and was passing the
+second when Darrin was called to the bridge by
+Ensign Ormsby.</p>
+
+<p>"That patrol boat in there signals that she has
+made a find, sir, so I have changed the course and
+am heading in."</p>
+
+<p>Dave's eyes gleamed as he made out the next
+signal from the patrol, which was:</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156"></a>[<a href="./images/156.png">156</a>]</span>
+"Soundings show her to be a big craft. Shall
+we rig the small bombs on the sweep wires?"</p>
+
+<p>"Wait until we arrive," was the answering signal
+from the "Grigsby."</p>
+
+<p>In a few minutes the destroyer was within hailing
+distance of the patrol boat, which was lying
+to in the neighborhood of the find.</p>
+
+<p>"The enemy submarine appears to be at least
+275 feet long, sir," reported the patrol boat commander.</p>
+
+<p>"Then a depth bomb should do the business
+better," Dave shouted back through the megaphone.
+"Sail over the craft with your sweep, and
+I'll follow. Signal when you judge us to be
+squarely over her."</p>
+
+<p>Under bare headway the "Grigsby" fell in behind
+the now slow-moving patrol boat. Almost
+at once the wire sweeps discovered the hull of the
+hiding monster.</p>
+
+<p>Ahead steamed the patrol boat, the destroyer
+following. Aft two men stood by the depth bomb
+apparatus. Down came the white flag of the
+British signalman on the smaller craft.</p>
+
+<p>Dave's hand rested on the telegraph lever to the
+engine-room. He signalled for full speed ahead,
+then at the proper moment he shouted:</p>
+
+<p>"Let her go!"</p>
+
+<p>An instant later the bomb splashed into the
+water.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157"></a>[<a href="./images/157.png">157</a>]</span>
+Immediately following the splash there came a
+sullen, rending roar under water. A great column
+of water leaped up from the sea, a heavy volume
+of it landing on the after deck of the destroyer, all
+but washing overboard one of the lookouts. The
+pressure of water fairly lifted the stern of the
+"Grigsby" until her bow dipped far in.</p>
+
+<p>Ensign Ormsby was thrown flat, almost rolling
+from the bridge. Dave, fortunately, had taken a
+grip that saved him from falling.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed as though the destroyer herself had
+been blown up, but she quickly settled and scooted
+ahead at a furious rate.</p>
+
+<p>"Half speed ahead," Darrin signalled, as soon as
+he could let go his grip, and the "Grigsby" slowed
+down. At the same time she swung around.</p>
+
+<p>Even at that distance the huge spread of oil
+on the surface could be seen. A wild Yankee
+cheer rose, which was promptly echoed by the
+British tars of the patrol boat.</p>
+
+<p>"No depth bomb ever made that upheaval,"
+Dave gasped, as soon as he could speak, and Mr.
+Ormsby, much shaken, had picked himself up.
+"The bombs are ugly affairs, but that felt like the
+explosion of about ten of them."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you notice, sir, that the explosion lasted
+more than twice as long as we've ever known one
+to last before?" the watch officer asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158"></a>[<a href="./images/158.png">158</a>]</span>
+"Then what happened, sir?"</p>
+
+<p>"Either our explosion touched off a torpedo,
+which does not seem likely, or else&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>For an instant what he was about to say
+sounded so absurd that Darrin hesitated.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, sir&mdash;?" queried Ormsby.</p>
+
+<p>"Or else that was a mine-layer, with a full cargo
+of mines aboard, all ready for business, and&mdash;But
+you'll think I've gone daffy."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I won't, sir; not after the way this ship
+rose out of the water," the watch officer declared.
+"You mean, sir, that our bomb went off right over
+that craft's cargo of mines, and that the shock
+must have set off the mines."</p>
+
+<p>"That's certainly the way it looks to me," Darrin
+nodded.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe it, sir."</p>
+
+<p>Just a few moments later the patrol boat came
+within hail. Through his megaphone Darrin
+stated what he believed had taken place.</p>
+
+<p>"It's the only thing to account, sir, for such a
+tremendous explosion," replied the commander of
+the patrol. "I've been on hand to see a lot of
+depth bombs go off, and I never saw an upheaval
+like the one you produced, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Have soundings taken, Mr. Ormsby," Darrin
+directed. The depth of the water was quickly reported.
+Dave glanced at the sky.</p>
+
+<p>"The light will be strong enough for another<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159"></a>[<a href="./images/159.png">159</a>]</span>
+hour," he decided. "Have our two divers prepare
+to go down at once."</p>
+
+<p>A launch, cleared away with the divers on
+board, was anchored in the middle of the oil spot.
+Two divers went over the side. Presently they
+signalled for extra cables. When these were let
+down they attached pieces of metal and gave the
+signal to haul away.</p>
+
+<p>By the time that the hour was up Darrin had
+abundant evidence to prove that he had destroyed
+a mine-layer, and that his bomb had blown up
+several mines stored on the craft. This evidence
+took the form of fragments of mines.</p>
+
+<p>"Some of these pieces must even have been
+driven up against our hull," Darrin declared. "It
+is a wonder that we were not sunk."</p>
+
+<p>"The counter pressure of the water would lessen
+the force of these fragments, especially after they
+had been blown out through the shell of the submarine,"
+Lieutenant Fernald argued. "But I
+agree with you, sir, that it's a wonder the
+'Grigsby' suffered nothing worse than a shaking."</p>
+
+<p>Other evidence, too, the divers sent up. The
+destroyed craft had surely been a mine-laying submarine.
+The divers measured the length of the
+wrecked hull, finding it to be close to three hundred
+feet. They reported, too, that scores of German
+dead lay in the wreckage.</p>
+
+<p>For hours nothing more happened. Just before<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160"></a>[<a href="./images/160.png">160</a>]</span>
+ten o'clock that night the mine-sweeper's blinkers
+signalled a call to the "Grigsby," then about four
+miles distant.</p>
+
+<p>"They've found something," Darrin chuckled,
+when he reached the bridge on a call from Lieutenant
+Fernald.</p>
+
+<p>As the "Grigsby" was heading in toward the
+shoal, and had some minutes still to go, Darrin
+asked:</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Fernald, you had a second and even more
+thorough inspection of the hull made, as I directed?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir; and found the hull so secure that I did
+not wake you to tell you, sir. There has been no
+strain of the plates sufficient to start any of them."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm thankful to hear that," Darrin acknowledged.
+"Even with the big, elastic cushion of
+water between us and that awful explosion, it
+seems almost incredible that we did not wreck ourselves
+as well as the enemy."</p>
+
+<p>"You've found another submarine?" Dave
+shouted through the megaphone, as he rang for
+slow speed and ran parallel with the waiting snub-nosed
+craft.</p>
+
+<p>"We've found two somethings, sir," came back
+the reply. "They lie about four hundred feet apart
+and heading in the same direction. I can find
+them again, sir, but I didn't go back over them
+for fear they'd take the alarm and run for it."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161"></a>[<a href="./images/161.png">161</a>]</span>
+"Perhaps they have," Darrin suggested.</p>
+
+<p>"I've dropped small buoys, sir, and can lead you
+over them."</p>
+
+<p>"Then do so, and travel at full speed. Be prepared
+to get out of our way if we come fast after
+dropping."</p>
+
+<p>Even the two cool-headed sailors who stood by
+the depth bomb apparatus stiffened themselves as
+they found the "Grigsby" following in the wake of
+the mine-sweeper. The after lookouts lashed
+themselves fast against injury by any such surprise
+as that of the afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>As the signal flashed from the mine-sweeper
+ahead Dave passed the order for the bomb instantly
+after ordering full speed.</p>
+
+<p>There was an explosion, but an ordinary one,
+such as this crew of the destroyer was accustomed
+to.</p>
+
+<p>At full speed, too, Dave tried for the second
+hidden enemy boat. There was barely time to
+have the second bomb in place when signal and
+order came.</p>
+
+<p>Another terrific explosion, like that of the afternoon!
+It seemed as though the waters must
+divide! Yet the "Grigsby," moving fast all the
+time, felt the shock severely, but not like the one
+of the afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>About the destroyer came, playing her searchlight
+on the waters. The tell-tale oil patches were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162"></a>[<a href="./images/162.png">162</a>]</span>
+there, showing only too plainly that two submarine
+craft had been destroyed.</p>
+
+<p>"Apparently one craft carried no mines, while
+the other was loaded with them," said Dave to
+his executive officer. "Fernald, I think I'm beginning
+to get an idea of the way the enemy are
+working their mine-laying game. If I'm right we'll
+make a record along this patch of shoals while the
+hunting lasts."</p>
+
+<p>Patiently Fernald listened and waited, but did
+not speak. He hoped to hear what his chief's idea
+was, but it was not the executive officer's place to
+ask for it.</p>
+
+<p>"I may even be able to figure out when the best
+time would be for hunting these lazy rascals resting
+on the bottom," Darrin continued.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Fernald began to show signs of a more
+active curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>"But I won't say much about it," Darrin
+smiled, "until I've more data to work on and have
+proved some part of my theory."</p>
+
+<p>Lieutenant Fernald looked so much like a man
+who wished to speak that Dave laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"Out with it, Fernald," he urged good-humoredly.
+"You've an idea, too. You may tell
+me if you wish."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, sir," replied the executive officer, "I've
+about concluded that the enemy mine-laying submarines
+do not go back to base port for more<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163"></a>[<a href="./images/163.png">163</a>]</span>
+mines. They have some method for delivering
+them near here, and thus the mine-layers are able
+to keep more steadily at work."</p>
+
+<p>"That fits in excellently with my idea," Darrin
+nodded.</p>
+
+<p>"And that would account for the great numbers
+of mines that the enemy is able to lay hereabouts,
+and yet not have many of the craft caught by us,"
+Lieutenant Fernald continued.</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly," Dave agreed. "Moreover, the mine-layers
+take on their new supplies at night, and do
+their resting here at night, and get away from
+these shoals just before daylight."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course," Fernald agreed. "If they rested
+here much in the daytime the aircraft would discover
+and destroy them."</p>
+
+<p>"We'll both keep at work on our ideas, Fernald,"
+Dave proposed. "Besides, we can take time to
+find facts to support our theories. Then we can
+get together and start in the biggest smashing of
+mine-laying craft on record."</p>
+
+<p>Both paused in their talk to listen to the sudden
+boom of guns. Judged by the sound and the wind,
+the firing was some six miles away.</p>
+
+<p>"Lookout there!" Darrin sang out. "Do you
+see anything?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," came the reply from aloft. "It must
+be the 'Reed,' sir. She must have gotten into
+something stiff, for she's moving shoreward at slow<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164"></a>[<a href="./images/164.png">164</a>]</span>
+speed and firing as fast as she can serve her guns.
+She's firing in shoreward, sir."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2>
+
+<h4>HITTING CLOSE TO THE SALT TRAIL</h4>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Give</span> us a rocket signal if you need help,"
+Dave signalled the attendant mine-sweeper.</p>
+
+<p>Then to the officer of the watch:</p>
+
+<p>"Give us full speed, and we'll run down to see if
+the 'Reed' has work enough for two of our kind."</p>
+
+<p>A little further south he signalled same orders
+to the patrol boat that he had given to the mine-sweeper.</p>
+
+<p>Then the "Grigsby" rushed onward as if she
+scented something of which she did not wish her
+crew to be deprived.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as Darrin discovered that Dalzell was
+using his searchlight he ordered the "Grigsby's"
+also to be used. Over the waters the bar of light
+swept until it picked up a sight that made the
+officers on the bridge gasp for sheer astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>Two submarines, some five hundred yards apart,
+lay on the surface of the sea.</p>
+
+<p>Strangest part of all, neither craft was serving<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165"></a>[<a href="./images/165.png">165</a>]</span>
+its guns. Why they neither fought nor dived puzzled
+the "Grigsby's" officers until the "Reed's"
+guns ceased firing and her blinkers signalled to
+Dave:</p>
+
+<p>"Don't fire on them unless I do. They're helpless."</p>
+
+<p>The "Reed," first to approach the submarines,
+steamed in between them. Then as the "Grigsby"
+raced up, she received this message from Dalzell:</p>
+
+<p>"Wish you would take charge of the nearer submarine.
+I'll handle the other."</p>
+
+<p>On both enemy craft, as seen under the searchlight,
+the German crews had come out on deck.
+It was clear that they wished to surrender without
+further loss of life.</p>
+
+<p>So Dave ordered a launch cleared away, with a
+prize crew armed to the teeth, Ensign Andrews in
+command.</p>
+
+<p>"You men get as far forward as possible,"
+Andrews shouted to the huddled enemy. "Be
+careful not to have any weapons about you. We'll
+accept you as prisoners of war, but any attempt at
+treachery will be sternly punished!"</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke the ensign rested one hand on the
+barrel of a machine gun in the launch's bow. Instantly
+the Germans began to move forward, only
+their four officers remaining near the conning
+tower.</p>
+
+<p>"Stand by to catch a line and make fast," called<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166"></a>[<a href="./images/166.png">166</a>]</span>
+the ensign, as the launch, under headway, lay in
+close.</p>
+
+<p>Though they plainly understood, not one of the
+German officers made a move to catch a rope. Instead,
+one of them called to the huddled seamen,
+two of whom came back to take the line.</p>
+
+<p>Making fast, Andrews stepped aboard, followed
+by some of his armed crew.</p>
+
+<p>"You are the only officers of this craft?" Andrews
+demanded.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," sullenly replied the ober-lieutenant.</p>
+
+<p>"Be good enough to hold up your hands while
+we search you."</p>
+
+<p>Though their eyes flashed their rage, the German
+officers raised their hands while a petty officer
+"frisked" them one after the other.</p>
+
+<p>"None of them armed, sir," was the report.</p>
+
+<p>"Then into the launch with them. Next, order
+the seamen and engine-tenders aft and search
+them. The launch will carry about twenty prisoners
+on the first trip."</p>
+
+<p>Soon the score of prisoners had been delivered
+aboard the "Grigsby." A second lot was sent
+over, after which Andrews decided that he could
+take charge of the remainder on their own craft.
+He now had force enough with him to keep this
+unarmed remainder in subjection.</p>
+
+<p>Heading an armed party the ensign went below
+in the submarine to make an inspection. He had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167"></a>[<a href="./images/167.png">167</a>]</span>
+already noted a shell-hole through the hull which
+had made it impossible for this submarine to dive
+without drowning the crew. But he found other
+matters to interest him. This was a mine-layer
+craft, and at the present moment she had more
+than twenty mines on board.</p>
+
+<p>One of Dalzell's junior officers, searching the
+other submarine, found her to be a mine-layer,
+too, but with only two mines on board. This
+second craft, also, had been pierced through the
+hull in such fashion that there had been no chance
+for her to escape by submerging.</p>
+
+<p>On each craft forward a crane had been set up,
+and still stood. Dan Dalzell's report, when made,
+shed a good deal of light on German methods.</p>
+
+<p>The "Reed" had been barely drifting when two
+submarines had come up within two miles of the
+destroyer. It was the noise of erecting the cranes
+that had warned Dalzell's watch officer of their
+presence there on the dark sea.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly, through night glasses, Dan, who had
+been called to the bridge, discovered what was taking
+place. On the quiet waters of this night the
+two craft had managed to get near enough to each
+other to attempt to transfer mines from one to the
+other.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that the "Reed" had opened fire
+with her guns, had turned on her searchlight and
+had rushed in.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168"></a>[<a href="./images/168.png">168</a>]</span>
+As soon as the German commanders found their
+boats punctured into helplessness they had signalled
+their surrender.</p>
+
+<p>"But I was glad indeed when I saw you bearing
+down on us," Dan announced, when he visited
+his chum a little later. "The enemy had surrendered,
+but I know enough of German treachery
+to realize that they might let me drive in close and
+then try to torpedo me. I needn't have worried,
+but of course I could not afford to take chances."</p>
+
+<p>Sending for Boatswain's Mate Runkle, Dave inquired:</p>
+
+<p>"Do you speak German?"</p>
+
+<p>"I know about six words, sir; not as many as
+eight."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you are the man for the job, Runkle.
+Go down among the prisoners that have been sent
+on board, the seamen, I mean, not the officers. Act
+as though you were there on duty, but not very
+busy. Use your six words of German and make
+English do for the rest. The German sailors won't
+understand you, unless some of them speak English.
+That will be all the better, for as soon as you
+discover that some of the men don't know what
+you are saying you will be able to judge which of
+those who speak no English are the most stupid,
+or the most likely to talk and tell us the truth.
+Spot three or four of these stupid ones, and then
+bring one of them here to the chart-room."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169"></a>[<a href="./images/169.png">169</a>]</span>
+"Now, what on earth does the 'Old Man' want?"
+wondered Runkle, as he started away on this
+errand. "But never mind. Even if I can't guess
+what he wants it's a cinch that he knows. The
+stupidest one, eh? I wonder why any Fritz
+wouldn't do, then!"</p>
+
+<p>Runkle found his man within five minutes, detached
+him from the other prisoners, and led him
+to the chart-room. Darrin tried his own German
+on the fellow, asking:</p>
+
+<p>"Your craft had just arrived from the base
+port?"</p>
+
+<p>The man stared, then slowly nodded.</p>
+
+<p>"How many mines did you have on board when
+you left the base port?"</p>
+
+<p>"Thirty, I heard."</p>
+
+<p>"You planted some on the way?"</p>
+
+<p>"A few, so I heard."</p>
+
+<p>"Most of the mines you were to deliver here
+tonight?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"How many trips a week has your craft been
+making between here and the base port?"</p>
+
+<p>"Usually about four."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you always deliver, here, to the same mine-layer?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; that was as it happened. Sometimes to
+one boat, sometimes to another."</p>
+
+<p>"How many mines could your craft carry?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170"></a>[<a href="./images/170.png">170</a>]</span>
+"Thirty."</p>
+
+<p>As this agreed with the information supplied by
+Ensign Andrews, Dave believed that the seaman
+was telling the truth.</p>
+
+<p>"Did your craft always come to these same
+waters to deliver mines to mine-layers?"</p>
+
+<p>"Always, since I have been aboard, to some one
+of the shoals in this stretch of them," replied the
+sailor.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know how many mine-layers wait over
+here on the English side to have mines delivered
+to them?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, but they are not so many."</p>
+
+<p>"A few, supplied four times a week, can plant
+a lot of mines," quizzed Darrin.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes."</p>
+
+<p>"And the craft you were aboard was one of the
+smaller ones that brought cargoes of mines. Your
+people have some that carry much larger numbers
+of mines?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and the larger boats that bring mines over
+to the real mine-layers travel faster under water
+than our boat did."</p>
+
+<p>"So that these larger boats can make at least
+five round trips a week?" Dave asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes."</p>
+
+<p>"You have not told me the name of your base
+port," Darrin went on.</p>
+
+<p>"And I don't intend to," retorted the seaman.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171"></a>[<a href="./images/171.png">171</a>]</span>
+"You are asking me too many questions. I should
+not have said as much as I did, and I shall not
+answer any more questions."</p>
+
+<p>"You do not need to," Dave assured him. "I
+already know the answers to a lot of questions
+that I might have asked you. But you look like
+a reasonable fellow, and also like a fellow fond of
+some of the good things of life. Had I found you
+more ready to talk I might have arranged for you
+to have a pleasanter time in the English prison
+than your mates will have."</p>
+
+<p>"A pleasanter time until the hangman called
+for us?" demanded the German, a cunning look
+coming into his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"The hangman?" Darrin repeated.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes! I know! We all know. The English
+hang the crews of German submarines. Our officers
+have told us all about it. You are wrong, too,
+to hang us, for it is the knowledge that the English
+will hang us that makes us fight more desperately
+when we are attacked."</p>
+
+<p>"But the English will not hang you. You and
+your mates will be treated as prisoners of war,"
+Darrin assured him. "You will be well fed. You
+will have some amusements. When spring comes
+you will have gardens to work in and the flowers
+or vegetables that you raise will belong to you.
+It is a stupid lie to tell you that the English hang
+you all. You will soon be on shore, and in an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172"></a>[<a href="./images/172.png">172</a>]</span>
+English prison camp, and then you will know that
+you have been lied to. You will enjoy finding
+yourself on shore, for you were not often allowed
+to go ashore when you got back from these trips to
+take on your next mine cargo at&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>It was a simple trap, but as Darrin paused, the
+seaman replied:</p>
+
+<p>"No, we were not often allowed ashore in &mdash;&mdash;," naming
+the port.</p>
+
+<p>The port that the seaman mentioned was the
+one Darrin had been trying to get him to name.
+The German had unwittingly allowed himself to
+name the base port from which the mines were
+shipped. As soon as the German realized his
+blunder he used some bad language.</p>
+
+<p>"That is all," said Dave Darrin. "You may
+go back to your mates, and by daylight you will
+know that an English military prison is not at all
+a bad place."</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173"></a>[<a href="./images/173.png">173</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2>
+
+<h4>TRYING OUT THE BIG, NEW PLAN</h4>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">You</span> see," Dave nodded to his brother officers,
+"the theory we had worked out about
+the method of supplying mines to the submarine
+layers was the right one. I think that we
+shall be able to show some results to the admiral."</p>
+
+<p>Dan was then instructed to remain to keep
+watch over the shoals, while the "Grigsby" soon
+afterwards started for port, escorting the two
+prizes.</p>
+
+<p>Before daylight the captured under-sea boats
+were duly turned over to the British authorities.
+Darrin then sought the admiral, and, despite the
+lateness of the hour, he was soon admitted.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you need for your enterprise?" inquired
+the admiral after listening attentively to
+the plan Dave had unfolded to him.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing but a dirigible, commanded by the
+right man," Dave explained.</p>
+
+<p>"That ought not to be difficult," declared the
+British officer. "You shall have what you want.
+Now, suppose we go over the chart, to make sure
+that I understand just what you propose to do."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174"></a>[<a href="./images/174.png">174</a>]</span>
+On the map Darrin traced the course that he
+felt sure the German underseas craft pursued
+when bringing cargoes of mines to the other submarines
+that were laying mines in British waters.</p>
+
+<p>"That would be the natural course for such
+craft to take," agreed Admiral Wheatleigh. "I
+trust that you are right in your surmises. If you
+are, we should have some excellent results within
+the next few days."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall know, sir, within forty-eight hours, and
+I think it likely that the enemy will also hear
+something about it within the next few days. At
+least, sir, the German admiralty should be able to
+guess."</p>
+
+<p>Dave took his leave, hastening back to the
+"Grigsby," which, an hour later, weighed anchor
+and stood out to sea. By that time Dave was
+sound asleep, for he had been through a great deal
+and was sorely in need of rest before he reached
+the scene of his intended activities.</p>
+
+<p>Some hours later he was called, and was soon
+on the bridge.</p>
+
+<p>"You are at the point at which you wished to be
+called," said Fernald when Dave reached the
+bridge.</p>
+
+<p>"And you will do well to seek your own rest
+now, Mr. Fernald," Darrin answered. "You can
+be called, if needed."</p>
+
+<p>Half an hour later Darrin made out, in the sky<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175"></a>[<a href="./images/175.png">175</a>]</span>
+astern, a tiny speck that rapidly came closer, and
+proved to be the dirigible sent at his request.</p>
+
+<p>As the dirigible came nearer signals were rapidly
+exchanged. The course for the aircraft was made
+plain. As for the "Grigsby," her speed was slowed
+down to mere headway and she loafed over the
+waters.</p>
+
+<p>Two hours passed during which the "blimp"
+aloft sailed rapidly to and fro in the sky, zig-zagging
+over the course in a way that covered
+several square miles in an hour.</p>
+
+<p>"She's found something, sir!" cried Ensign
+Andrews.</p>
+
+<p>"She has sighted a craft, bound over the course
+we had suspected," said Darrin, as signals broke
+out rapidly from the car under the big gas bag.
+"We'll let the submarine get by us before we start
+in chase."</p>
+
+<p>Another half hour passed, for, though the dirigible
+moved swiftly, the underseas craft she was
+watching was moving only at submerged speed.</p>
+
+<p>Then the chase led on past the "Grigsby." Purposely
+Darrin allowed it to go by him by about a
+mile ere he joined in the pursuit. Starting at half
+speed ahead he soon changed it to full speed.</p>
+
+<p>And now the dirigible had slowed down, until
+she was travelling, as her signals stated, at just
+the speed of the submerged craft directly under
+her.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176"></a>[<a href="./images/176.png">176</a>]</span>
+"We'll go in by the stern and try to make a
+quick job of it," Darrin proposed, as he gave Andrews
+final instructions, and turned to see that
+the signalman with his flag stood well aft on the
+superstructure.</p>
+
+<p>As the destroyer raced in almost under the dirigible
+Darrin raised his right hand. The signalman
+with the flag did the same.</p>
+
+<p>Just as the "Grigsby's" bridge passed in under
+the tail of the aircraft Dave Darrin read the signal
+for which he had waited. The airmen were telling
+him that the bridge of his craft was almost over
+the bow of the hidden enemy beneath.</p>
+
+<p>Down came Dave's raised hand. Seeing it fall,
+the signalman let his flag drop.</p>
+
+<p>In that same instant the depth bomb was released
+for its course over the "Grigsby's" stern.</p>
+
+<p>Almost in the same second there sounded a terrific
+if muffled report under the surface. The
+water rose in three distinct columns, lifting the
+stern of the "Grigsby" and almost burying her bow
+under.</p>
+
+<p>It was as though a great geyser and an earthquake
+had met. Columns like waterspouts hurled
+themselves across and over the reeling destroyer.
+Even when the "Grigsby's" nose came out and up
+once more the destroyer rocked in the near tidal
+wave that the swift series of explosions had produced.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177"></a>[<a href="./images/177.png">177</a>]</span>
+"Pardon me, sir," begged Ensign Andrews, when
+he had regained control of himself. "I feel constrained
+to remark, sir, that you appear to know
+how to get all the thrills out of life."</p>
+
+<p>"We must have landed right over a mine cargo
+once more," Dave answered smiling. "There were
+several explosions, but they came nearly together.
+One of these days we'll start something like that
+that will send us up half a mile into the air. But
+it's great sport, Andrews, especially when you
+pause to think what it all means."</p>
+
+<p>"Great sport for us, but too sudden for the
+Huns," rejoined the watch officer. "They cannot
+have had the satisfaction, even, of realizing that
+anything had hit them."</p>
+
+<p>Satisfied that there would be no more underseas
+explosions, Darrin gave the order to come about.</p>
+
+<p>That the underseas craft had been struck was
+indicated clearly enough by the patches of oil on
+the water. The force of the explosion told the
+Yankee tars that the craft must have been blown
+into bits.</p>
+
+<p>"Best thing I ever saw done!" signalled the
+British officer in command of the "blimp."</p>
+
+<p>"Find us another, and we'll try to show you
+something just as good," Darrin caused to be signalled
+back.</p>
+
+<p>Fernald, who had been called, having reported,
+was sent with the chief engineer to make a hull<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178"></a>[<a href="./images/178.png">178</a>]</span>
+inspection below decks. Though some of the hull
+plates had been dented inward enough to attract
+attention, no leak could be found. The "Grigsby"
+was as seaworthy as ever, though after that rocking
+shock this seemed a marvel.</p>
+
+<p>Off in the distance the "blimp" soon became a
+mere speck to the watchful eyes of those on the
+destroyer.</p>
+
+<p>Dave directed that the aircraft be followed at
+cruising speed so long as she remained in sight.
+When the dirigible was at last lost to view the
+destroyer lay to, her lookouts using their glasses.</p>
+
+<p>"Think the aircraft is coming back, sir," reported
+a lookout from the military mast.</p>
+
+<p>From where he stood on the bridge Darrin could
+make out nothing for several minutes, though in
+the interval the lookout aloft reported that he
+could make out the "blimp" with surety, and that
+she appeared to be flying a signal, though he could
+not see what it was.</p>
+
+<p>Then from the bridge the "blimp" became visible.
+A little later, too, the flag signal could be
+seen and read.</p>
+
+<p>"Following another submarine," was what the
+signal said.</p>
+
+<p>Going to starboard of the course Darrin advanced
+at ordinary speed to meet the "blimp,"
+which, as in the former case, was flying just barely
+astern of the hidden monster, so that the forward<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179"></a>[<a href="./images/179.png">179</a>]</span>
+British airman lookout could discern the shape of
+the craft that was being pursued.</p>
+
+<p>Dave waited until the dirigible had passed. He
+then gave the order, "Full speed ahead," and came
+about behind the "blimp."</p>
+
+<p>Leaping forward the "Grigsby" gave chase, the
+"blimp" at the same time moving up directly over
+the intended prey.</p>
+
+<p>At the drop of the flag above, Darrin let go his
+right hand, the signalman transmitted the order,
+and the bomb rolled overboard.</p>
+
+<p>As Dave's hand fell the watch officer advanced
+the lever of the engine-room telegraph. An extra
+jump was put into the speed.</p>
+
+<p>Again a column of water rose astern, but this
+time there was only the normal explosion of the
+depth bomb.</p>
+
+<p>"Good hit," said the dirigible, by radio, and the
+message was called up to the bridge. "Saw her
+stagger. She's done for."</p>
+
+<p>The "blimp" veered off once more, going back
+over her late course. As the "Grigsby" went about
+Darrin made out the tell-tale spread of oil on the
+waves.</p>
+
+<p>"This is the real form of hunting," he exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"Too bad, sir, that none of us thought of it before,"
+remarked Ensign Andrews.</p>
+
+<p>"We had to wait and learn," Dave explained.
+"That's the way that all progress in this war has<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180"></a>[<a href="./images/180.png">180</a>]</span>
+been registered. We are fighting an ingenious
+enemy. Destroying the submarine mine-carriers,
+as we are doing today, won't end the planting of
+German mines. As soon as the enemy finds out
+how we are checkmating him he'll invent another
+scheme, which we'll have to discover before we can
+beat it."</p>
+
+<p>Half an hour later the British aircraft located
+a third submarine.</p>
+
+<p>"A big one, too," she signalled. "Following the
+same course."</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. 'Blimp' might try a bomb himself," suggested
+Ensign Andrews. "I believe he carries a
+few."</p>
+
+<p>"Not as powerful ones as we carry," Darrin answered.
+"Besides, he has to be at a greater altitude,
+when hunting submarines, than it's handy
+to drop a bomb from. There is too much margin
+of chance that the enemy craft will graze by when
+the bomb is dropped from the air. In our case,
+if we drop when directly over the Hun, there can
+hardly be a miss, and it's the dirigible's business
+to tell us when we are directly over the enemy."</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime, on board the destroyer, all
+was made ready, and Dave followed the same
+tactics as before. This time, too, there was a
+normal explosion, though a solid hit was made and
+the submarine destroyed. Apart from the
+"blimp's" report there could be no doubt as to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181"></a>[<a href="./images/181.png">181</a>]</span>
+destruction. The spread of oil on the surface of
+the sea told the story.</p>
+
+<p>"If you and we hurry, we may bag another before
+dark," Dave sent by wireless, as the aircraft
+started back again.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll do our best, believe us!" came back the
+word.</p>
+
+<p>In the late afternoon a slight haze came up,
+which gradually deepened.</p>
+
+<p>Darrin followed for a few miles, keeping the
+"blimp" in sight. She was some six miles away
+when a radio message came from her in code in
+these words:</p>
+
+<p>"Can you see steamship about four knots north-west
+of us?"</p>
+
+<p>Dave challenged the lookout on the military
+<ins class="err" title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'mask'">mast</ins>, but that seaman reported the weather a bit
+too thick to enable him to make out the steamship.
+Darrin accordingly wirelessed back this information.</p>
+
+<p>"Looks like a tramp steamer," came the next
+message, "but she acted suspiciously when she
+sighted us. Her skipper appears perturbed, which
+he would hardly be if his business is honest.
+Weather is thickening so we may lose him in the
+haze. Better close in."</p>
+
+<p>"Will do so," Dave replied.</p>
+
+<p>Then followed explicit directions as to the
+course the destroyer must follow.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182"></a>[<a href="./images/182.png">182</a>]</span>
+The next code message from the airship was:</p>
+
+<p>"Skipper of steamship so bothered that he appears
+to be rigging anti-aircraft gun. Am about
+to signal him to stop for search."</p>
+
+<p>Despite the haze over the sea the "blimp's"
+movements could still be made out from the deck
+of the destroyer. Mast lookouts and those on
+bridge and deck followed the "blimp's" movements
+with keen interest.</p>
+
+<p>"He maneuvers as if he were closing in on the
+steamship," declared Ensign Andrews.</p>
+
+<p>"If the steamer's skipper uses anti-aircraft guns
+the dirigible's commander will be justified in dropping
+bombs," Dave returned. "It's a stupid piece
+of business for any lightly armed steamer to attempt
+to resist a 'blimp.' But of course the
+steamer's skipper does not know that there is a
+warship so close."</p>
+
+<p>"The rascal's firing on us," reported the "blimp."</p>
+
+<p>"If you'll keep back we'll close in and talk to
+the stranger," Darrin suggested, by wireless.</p>
+
+<p>"We're hit," almost instantly came the report
+from the airship.</p>
+
+<p>"Badly?" Dave asked by radio.</p>
+
+<p>"Investigating. Report soon."</p>
+
+<p>"That ship must be up to something extremely
+desperate to dare to fire on a British 'blimp'!"
+exclaimed Dave Darrin. "But we're getting close,
+and soon ought to know what we have to tackle!"</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183"></a>[<a href="./images/183.png">183</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2>
+
+<h4>STRIKING A REAL SURPRISE</h4>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Are</span> we heading straight course?" was
+Dave's next question through the air.</p>
+
+<p>"You're going straight," came the cheering
+information.</p>
+
+<p>"Found out your hurt?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; gas-bag intact, and we've withdrawn out
+of easy range. One motor damaged more than we
+can repair in air. Can limp home, however."</p>
+
+<p>"Leave the steamship to me," Darrin wirelessed
+back.</p>
+
+<p>Inside of another minute and a half, Darrin
+made out the mast-tops of the stranger sticking
+up from the fringe of haze as the cloudy, reddish
+curtain shifted.</p>
+
+<p>If Dave had sighted his intended prey, so had
+the stranger caught sight of the destroyer. The
+steamship cut a wide circle and turned tail.</p>
+
+<p>"He's going at nineteen knots, we judge," came
+the radio report from the "blimp."</p>
+
+<p>"That won't do him any good!" was the laconic
+answer that Darrin returned, this time in plain
+English instead of code.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184"></a>[<a href="./images/184.png">184</a>]</span>
+The lower masts, the stack and then the hull
+of the stranger became visible as Darrin gained on
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Bang! A shell struck the water ahead of the
+stranger, the war-ship's world-wide signal to halt.</p>
+
+<p>Instead, the stranger appeared to be trying to
+crowd on more speed.</p>
+
+<p>"Give him one in the stern-post," Darrin ordered.</p>
+
+<p>The shell fell just a few feet short. The third
+one landed on the after-part of the stranger's deck-house.</p>
+
+<p>And now there went fluttering up the top of
+the destroyer's mast the international code signal:</p>
+
+<p>"Stop or we'll sink you!"</p>
+
+<p>It took another shell, this one crashing through
+the stern of the stranger, to convince her skipper
+that the destroyer was in deadly earnest.</p>
+
+<p>By this time the "Grigsby" was a bare half-mile
+away, and going fast.</p>
+
+<p>"We're bringing to bear on you to blow you out
+of the water," Darrin signalled this time. "Will
+you stop?"</p>
+
+<p>If he had made any plan to die fighting the
+fleeing skipper must have lost his nerve at that
+point, for he suddenly swung his bow around, reduced
+speed and moved ahead at mere steerage-way.</p>
+
+<p>"Call Ensign Peters to clear away a launch with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185"></a>[<a href="./images/185.png">185</a>]</span>
+an armed crew," Darrin directed. "I will accompany
+him, for I must see what reason that
+craft had for firing on a British dirigible."</p>
+
+<p>On either bow of the strange steamship was
+painted the national flag of the same neutral nation
+to which the "Olga" had appeared to belong.
+She flew no bunting.</p>
+
+<p>"Stand by to receive boarding party," a signalman
+on the "Grigsby's" bridge wigwagged as the
+launch started toward the water.</p>
+
+<p>The two craft lay now not more than five hundred
+yards apart. Across the water sped the fast
+power launch and came up alongside of the unknown
+steamship, which displayed no name.</p>
+
+<p>Not a human being was now visible on her deck.
+An undersized watch officer had appeared on the
+bridge, but he now vanished.</p>
+
+<p>"Who commands that destroyer?" demanded a
+voice in English, though it had the broken accent
+of a German-born speaker.</p>
+
+<p>"I do," Darrin replied.</p>
+
+<p>"Then stay where you are, for you're covered!"
+ordered the same voice in a frenzied tone. "We're
+not going to have you aboard. Signal the destroyer
+to make off at top speed and we'll leave you when
+she is out of sight. Refuse, and we kill you at
+once. Refuse, and you lose your life."</p>
+
+<p>"Lower your gangway, and stop your nonsense,"
+Dave ordered, angrily. "You're dealing with the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186"></a>[<a href="./images/186.png">186</a>]</span>
+United States Navy, and your orders cannot control
+our conduct."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you are a dead man, at once!" declared
+the voice of the unseen speaker.</p>
+
+<p>Unnoticed by others, Darrin had given a hand
+signal to a petty officer in the bow of the launch.</p>
+
+<p>"If you do not lower your side gangway at once,
+we shall find our own means for boarding," Dave
+shouted, wrathfully. "Instantly, sir!"</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon half a dozen heads appeared over a
+bulwark above. As many rifle muzzles were thrust
+over the edge of the bulwark and a prompt fire
+began.</p>
+
+<p>Disdaining to draw his automatic Darrin stood
+up in the launch, the center of such a hail of
+bullets that his continued existence seemed incredible.
+Above the reports of the rifles could be
+heard the voice of Ensign Peters as he directed the
+swinging around of the launch.</p>
+
+<p>R-r-r-r-rip! The launch's machine gun came
+swiftly into play. Bullets rattled against the iron
+sides of the ship.</p>
+
+<p>Four of the six seamen on her deck were seen to
+fall back; the remaining two fled as fast as they
+could go.</p>
+
+<p>Then the muzzle of the machine gun was swung,
+and a hundred little missiles were driven through
+the wheel-house.</p>
+
+<p>At an unspoken signal the launch moved in un<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187"></a>[<a href="./images/187.png">187</a>]</span>til
+a sailor in the bow could hurl upward an iron
+grappling hook. At the first cast it caught on at
+the top of the rail, while the machine gunners
+trained their weapon to "get" any one who endeavored
+to cast off the grapple.</p>
+
+<p>"Up with you!" shouted Darrin. One after another
+half a dozen sailors raced up the rope, swinging
+over to the deck.</p>
+
+<p>Dave followed next, then more seamen. All
+were armed and ready for instant work of the
+sternest kind.</p>
+
+<p>Two sailors lay dead, rifles beside them. Pools
+of blood showed that at least two more wounded
+men had been there, but had fled. No one else
+belonging to the ship was in sight on deck.</p>
+
+<p>"Boatswain's mate, take the bridge," ordered
+Dave, as more men came up on board. "Put two
+men in the wheel-house. Take command of the
+deck with such men as I do not take with me."</p>
+
+<p>Calling half a dozen seamen, and ordering them
+to draw their automatic revolvers, Darrin proceeded
+to the chart-room. He tried the door, but
+found it locked.</p>
+
+<p>"Break it down," he ordered, and in a jiffy the
+thing had been done. But the chart-room proved
+to be empty.</p>
+
+<p>Further aft Darrin went along the deck-house.
+The cabins of the captain and two mates were
+found to be empty.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188"></a>[<a href="./images/188.png">188</a>]</span>
+"We'll soon know where the crew have gone to,"
+he remarked.</p>
+
+<p>In the dining-room were found three men in
+dingy blue uniforms, who appeared to be ship's
+officers. The oldest, who scowled hardest at the
+same time, Dave took to be the skipper.</p>
+
+<p>"You command this ship?" Darrin inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"If you say so," replied the man addressed.</p>
+
+<p>"You must, for you are the fellow who ordered
+me to send my ship away," Darrin smiled grimly.
+"Are you a German?"</p>
+
+<p>"None of your business. Why have you killed
+two of our crew and hurt others?"</p>
+
+<p>"Drop that nonsense," Darrin retorted, sternly.
+"You know why we fired on you. And your men
+slightly wounded two of mine."</p>
+
+<p>"We had a right to," scowled the other.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll know better, by the time you've reached
+a British prison," Dave rejoined. "Men, place
+these three fellows under arrest. Search them."</p>
+
+<p>Only the man who appeared to be the craft's
+master resisted being searched. He swung at one
+of the sailors, but Darrin jumped in, knocking him
+down and holding him to the floor.</p>
+
+<p>"Put irons on this scoundrel," he ordered,
+sharply, a command so quickly obeyed that almost
+instantly the defiant one found himself manacled.
+Then Dave yanked the fellow to his feet.</p>
+
+<p>"You are a bully," growled the prisoner.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189"></a>[<a href="./images/189.png">189</a>]</span>
+"I am," mocked Dave, "when I have fellows of
+your stripe to handle. Men, you'd better iron
+that pair, too. They belong to the same outfit."</p>
+
+<p>None of the three proved to have any arms on
+his person.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, where are the members of your crew?"
+Dave demanded of the manacled skipper.</p>
+
+<p>"Find them!" came the surly retort.</p>
+
+<p>"In what business is this ship engaged?"</p>
+
+<p>"Find out!"</p>
+
+<p>"Bring these prisoners out on deck," Darrin
+commanded. Then, as the order was obeyed,
+Darrin made his way to the bridge.</p>
+
+<p>"Boatswain's mate, pipe all hands on deck," he
+directed.</p>
+
+<p>Shrilly the whistle sounded at the lips of the
+petty officer. But no men came to answer.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll try other tactics, then," Darrin smiled.</p>
+
+<p>Stepping to the wheel-house door he pulled it
+open. Inside was evidence of the havoc that the
+machine gun fire had worked there. Everything
+had been riddled, including the helmsman, who
+lay dead on the floor.</p>
+
+<p>At this moment, however, Dave had no time to
+do more than glance at the dead man. Reaching
+for the whistle he blew a long blast, and caused
+the fire bell to be rung, the signal to stand by to
+abandon ship.</p>
+
+<p>That brought seamen and stokers trooping to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190"></a>[<a href="./images/190.png">190</a>]</span>
+the deck, until more than thirty had so appeared.</p>
+
+<p>"Does any man among you understand
+English?" Darrin called down as he leaned over
+the rail in front of the wheel-house.</p>
+
+<p>"I do," came from one of the crew.</p>
+
+<p>"Then inform your mates that this craft has
+been seized as lawful prize of the United States
+Navy. Where is your boatswain?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's me," said the same speaker, gruffly.</p>
+
+<p>"Very good. Deliver my message to the crew.
+Then make sure that all hands are on deck. If
+you deceive me you will be held sternly to account
+for trickery."</p>
+
+<p>"All here," reported the boatswain, after a
+quick count, "except the cook and his helpers."</p>
+
+<p>"Send for them, and tell them to report here at
+once."</p>
+
+<p>When the ship's force had been summoned, save
+for the two sailors known to be dead on the starboard
+side of the ship, Darrin continued:</p>
+
+<p>"There were some wounded men."</p>
+
+<p>"Two," said the boatswain.</p>
+
+<p>"Where are they?"</p>
+
+<p>"Below. One is badly hurt. The other is binding
+his wounds."</p>
+
+<p>Dave had by this time walked down on to the
+deck. There was a forecastle large enough to hold
+the crew, and he ordered all of the men into it,
+except the boatswain, whom he sent with three of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191"></a>[<a href="./images/191.png">191</a>]</span>
+his own men to find the wounded. These latter
+two were brought to the captain's cabin. The
+two dead seamen, after Darrin had gained their
+names from the boatswain, were picked up and
+thrown overboard into the sea. The boatswain
+was then sent to join the prisoners.</p>
+
+<p>"Four of you men come with me, and we'll
+search the rest of the cabin part of the ship,"
+Darrin directed.</p>
+
+<p>Off the dining room were four doors that Dave
+believed opened into sleeping cabins. The first
+door that Darrin tried proved to be locked. One
+of his men carried a sledge-hammer that had been
+found in the wheel-house.</p>
+
+<p>"Batter down the door!" Dave ordered.</p>
+
+<p>Ere this order could be carried out the door flew
+open. A tall young woman, barely more than
+twenty years of age, stood in the doorway, her
+head thrown back, cheeks flushed, her look proud
+and disdainful. In her right hand she held a revolver.</p>
+
+<p>"Go away from here!" she ordered. "Else I
+shall kill you!"</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192"></a>[<a href="./images/192.png">192</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2>
+
+<h4>THE GOOD WORK GOES ON</h4>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">You</span> will have to lower that pistol, young
+lady," warned Dave, calmly, as he walked
+toward her. The sailors had drawn back
+to either side of the doorway, but the young
+woman stood where she could aim at anyone in
+the American party.</p>
+
+<p>The seaman nearest the revolver glanced
+quickly at Darrin, as if to inquire whether he
+should make an attempt to seize her pistol wrist
+and wrench the weapon away.</p>
+
+<p>But Dave ignored the man's glance as he
+stepped up, eyeing the young woman coolly.</p>
+
+<p>"Lower the pistol," he warned, again. "If you
+tried to use it, it would tell against you hard, before
+an English court, and these are wartimes, you
+know."</p>
+
+<p>He was now within two feet of the weapon,
+which was pointed at his head.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall kill you if you try to come near me,"
+the young woman insisted desperately.</p>
+
+<p>But Dave took another step. She pulled the
+trigger. There was a bright flash, a loud report.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193"></a>[<a href="./images/193.jpg">193</a>]</span></p>
+<p class="figcenter"><a href="./images/193.jpg"><img src="./images/193_th.jpg" alt="&quot;Lower that pistol!&quot;" title="&quot;Lower that pistol!&quot;" /></a></p>
+<p class="figcenter">"Lower that pistol!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194"></a>[<a href="./images/194.png">194</a>]</span>
+Dave, however, had been watching that trigger
+finger. As he saw it stiffen he dropped suddenly
+almost to his knees, the bullet passing over his
+head and embedding itself in woodwork across the
+cabin.</p>
+
+<p>Darrin sprang up unharmed. His cap had
+caught a powder burn; that was all. He gripped
+the woman's wrist in a hand of steel. With his
+other hand he coolly took the pistol away from
+her, then dropped her wrist.</p>
+
+<p>Bursting into a fit of hysterical weeping the
+woman drew back, endeavoring to close the cabin
+door. But Darrin's foot across the sill defeated
+her purpose.</p>
+
+<p>"You are a brute!" she panted, frantically trying
+to close the door.</p>
+
+<p>"At least," he assured her, "I have saved you
+from a crime that would have cost you your own
+life. Look out, please, for I am going to throw
+your door wide open."</p>
+
+<p>"You&mdash;you coward!" she panted, and struggled
+to close the door.</p>
+
+<p>"Stand back! I am sorry to have to use force,
+but you compel it."</p>
+
+<p>As she refused to give ground Darrin gave the
+door a push that forced her back, crowding her
+against a berth. Then he stepped into the little
+cabin.</p>
+
+<p>In a lower berth lay a middle-aged woman<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195"></a>[<a href="./images/195.png">195</a>]</span>
+whose piercing black eyes snapped as she surveyed
+the young naval officer.</p>
+
+<p>"You are a wretch, to intrude here!" cried the
+older woman.</p>
+
+<p>"One must often do disagreeable things in the
+line of war duty," Darrin answered, gravely. "For
+one thing, I must place you both in arrest. Then
+I shall be obliged to have your cabin searched."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, if I but had a weapon!" cried the older
+woman.</p>
+
+<p>"If you had, and were quick enough," Dave assured
+her, "you might succeed in killing me, but
+that would not affect our duty here, for there are
+other officers at hand. Madam, I perceive that you
+are fully dressed, so I must ask you to rise and
+leave this cabin, for a few minutes, at least."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall not do it," she snapped.</p>
+
+<p>"Then you will oblige me to call my men in,
+and they will remove you, using no unnecessary
+violence, you may be sure, yet employing force
+just the same."</p>
+
+<p>"You coward!"</p>
+
+<p>The younger woman, too, started in to berate
+him, but Dave remained calm.</p>
+
+<p>"Will you, at least, not leave the room until I
+have risen?" demanded the older woman.</p>
+
+<p>Darrin, who had a notion that the women
+wanted to conceal or destroy something, nodded
+his assent, but signed to two of the seamen to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196"></a>[<a href="./images/196.png">196</a>]</span>
+enter. Under his instructions they took the door
+off its hinges, carried it outside and laid it on the
+floor of the dining cabin.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, ladies," Dave called, as he stepped outside,
+"you will be good enough to come out at
+once."</p>
+
+<p>"We will come at our good convenience!"
+snapped the older woman.</p>
+
+<p>"Wrong again. As I am discharging my duty
+here, you will necessarily come out at once. I
+shall not be patient if my instructions are defied."</p>
+
+<p>Plainly furious that the door could not be closed,
+the younger woman assisted the older one to rise
+from the berth. Then, both expressing their resentment
+in their glances, the two women came
+out of the cabin.</p>
+
+<p>"Mother and daughter," guessed Dave.</p>
+
+<p>"Where will you have us sit, Brute?" demanded
+the younger woman.</p>
+
+<p>"Take any seat in this dining cabin that you
+please," he replied. "You must sit together, and
+one of my men will stand before you."</p>
+
+<p>Seats having been taken by the women, Darrin,
+calling one of the sailors to him, entered the little
+cabin. The only baggage there, beyond a hand
+satchel, appeared to be a locked steamer trunk
+under the lower berth.</p>
+
+<p>"Take that outside," Dave directed. "It need
+not be investigated until we reach port."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197"></a>[<a href="./images/197.png">197</a>]</span>
+Two dressing sacks and a few toilet articles were
+all the personal belongings that could be found
+there, though Darrin did not stop until he and
+the seaman had inspected pillows, mattresses and
+all other places that might have concealed papers
+or other little belongings.</p>
+
+<p>Coming outside after some minutes Darrin
+asked:</p>
+
+<p>"Ladies, do you wish to remain in the dining
+room, or will you go back to your sleeping cabin?"</p>
+
+<p>"We will remain here for the present," replied
+the older woman. "If we wish to return to our
+own cabin later on we will do so."</p>
+
+<p>"Wrong again," Dave informed her. "You
+must remain in one place. There can be no roaming
+about. This seaman who is your guard will
+see that you remain where you are for the present.
+I cannot permit you to leave this part of the
+dining room. Ladies, I regret being obliged to be
+so disagreeable, but I beg to assure you that your
+rights will be respected, and that you shall come
+to no harm if you obey instructions."</p>
+
+<p>Then he looked into the other three cabins, but
+found them empty. With that Darrin left the
+dining room, after detailing another seaman to
+remain on duty there with the guard over the two
+women.</p>
+
+<p>Darrin's next care was to inspect the holds.
+Here he found a cargo that appeared to consist<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198"></a>[<a href="./images/198.png">198</a>]</span>
+of hundreds of cases of dried fish. At random he
+selected one of the cases, had it carried to the
+deck, and ordered that it be opened. Its contents
+proved to be dried fish.</p>
+
+<p>"There is something worse than that on board,
+or the skipper would not have acted so much like
+a lunatic," Dave told himself.</p>
+
+<p>Next inspecting the engine room and stoke hole
+he found these departments in order, though the
+fires under the boilers would soon need attention.</p>
+
+<p>Going above, Dave called the stokers and engineers
+out from among the prisoners, told them
+that he intended to send them to their posts, and
+asked them if they would pledge themselves to
+obey all orders and bridge signals, and not attempt
+any treachery.</p>
+
+<p>This promise was quickly given.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you will all keep your word," Dave
+added, firmly, "for, if any of you attempts treachery,
+he will be shot down where he stands. I
+shall post guards."</p>
+
+<p>He posted two of his men in the engine-room,
+and four in the stoke-hole.</p>
+
+<p>"Be vigilant, and don't stand any nonsense,"
+he ordered.</p>
+
+<p>Returning to deck he gave his final orders to
+Ensign Peters, who had come on board and relieved
+the boatswain's mate.</p>
+
+<p>"We are going to take this ship through to our<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199"></a>[<a href="./images/199.png">199</a>]</span>
+base port," he informed the ensign. "You will
+command, and will use the petty officers as you
+need them. I shall require but three of the launch
+crew to take me back to the 'Grigsby.' You have
+sufficient force here, Mr. Peters, but we shall stand
+by and so be ready to give any assistance you may
+need. Keep yourself informed as to the comfort
+and conduct of the women prisoners in the dining
+cabin, and do not permit them to be annoyed by
+your men. They must have no chance, though,
+to destroy or conceal any papers they may have on
+their persons."</p>
+
+<p>With that Darrin went over the side. The
+launch took him back to his own craft.</p>
+
+<p>Overhead the "blimp" moved slowly about.
+While her commander was sure he could reach
+England safely he preferred to remain in company
+that could rescue his crew and himself if it
+became necessary.</p>
+
+<p>"Who can the women be?" Lieutenant Fernald
+wondered, when he had heard Dave's account of
+the visit to the steamship.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know. But their conduct, like the
+skipper's, is the main cause of their predicament.
+Had they behaved naturally I would have guessed
+them to be passengers from a neutral port to
+England. All I can say is that, though they
+speak English well, I am sure that they are not
+Englishwomen."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200"></a>[<a href="./images/200.png">200</a>]</span>
+"The younger woman is a beauty, you say?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and her mother, if the older woman be
+such, is not at all unprepossessing."</p>
+
+<p>The two ships and their aerial companion were
+now headed toward Darrin's base port, traveling
+at a good rate of speed.</p>
+
+<p>It was well along in the evening when they
+passed the "Reed." In code Dalzell exultantly reported
+that an unusually large number of mines
+had been swept and removed from the water, and
+that two submarines had been located on the
+middle shoal and destroyed.</p>
+
+<p>"Good work!" Dave wirelessed back.</p>
+
+<p>Late that night, the "blimp" still leading the
+way, the destroyer and her prize entered the base
+port.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as they had come to anchor Darrin communicated
+with the British flag-ship. Officials
+promptly went aboard the steamer to attend to
+the removal to a prison on shore of the officers and
+crew of the steamship, and of the women passengers
+as well.</p>
+
+<p>Immediately after that the ship was subjected
+to a systematic search by seamen and longshoremen
+acting under the direction of British naval
+officers.</p>
+
+<p>A name-plate, ready to fit to the front of the
+wheel-house, was found. The craft proved to be
+the "Louisa," well known in a certain British port<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201"></a>[<a href="./images/201.png">201</a>]</span>
+at which she had been accustomed to call with
+cargoes of dried fish. The fish now on board was
+taken off rapidly into lighters. And then it was
+that, in a sub-hold under the cargo deck, a more
+significant cargo was found.</p>
+
+<p>From that sub-hold were removed nearly six
+hundred floating mines of the commonest German
+pattern. All had been packed with extreme care,
+and all were ready for transferring to German
+submarine mine-layers at sea.</p>
+
+<p>It was after two in the morning when Captain
+Allaire, an officer of the British military intelligence
+department, came on board the "Grigsby,"
+requesting that her commander be called. Dave
+received Captain Allaire in the chart-room.
+Allaire had come to seek information as to the
+speech and conduct of the two women at the time
+of their arrest.</p>
+
+<p>Dave answered these questions carefully, then
+added:</p>
+
+<p>"I shall be glad, indeed, if I brought in women
+prisoners of real importance along with the other
+prisoners."</p>
+
+<p>"There are very few pairs whom we would
+rather have in our prisons," answered Captain
+Allaire. "The older woman is the notorious
+Sophia Weiner; the younger is her daughter, Anna
+Weiner. They use various other names, though.
+Every intelligence and secret service officer in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202"></a>[<a href="./images/202.png">202</a>]</span>
+Great Britain knows of their exploits, and is ever
+on the lookout for them."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I am astonished that they should have
+embarked on a steamship bound for England,"
+Dave returned. "They must have faced certain
+arrest on landing."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe they intended coming to
+England," Allaire answered. "Probably they
+were on their way to Spain. It may have been
+that no German submarine was leaving for the
+Spanish coast just at the time, and it was imperative
+that they reach Spain early. So, I take it,
+they journeyed to the neutral country and embarked
+on the 'Louisa,' knowing that the skipper
+could transfer them to a submarine bound for
+Spain. We are amazed at this fellow, Hadkor,
+skipper of the 'Louisa.' We had believed him to
+be all right, and he had ready access to our ports
+with his cargoes. But his ship has been found to
+be fitted with all facilities for transferring mines
+at sea, and also with an anti-aircraft gun and a
+stock of rifles and ammunition. The work must
+have been excellently paid for by the Germans,
+for the crew were assuredly in the secret, and
+ready even to fight, and they surely had to be
+paid for their risks."</p>
+
+<p>"Then it was a very important catch that the
+'blimp' ran us into."</p>
+
+<p>"One of the best in a six-month," replied Cap<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203"></a>[<a href="./images/203.png">203</a>]</span>tain
+Allaire. "And yet that skipper fellow and his
+crew must be lunatics, for their conduct lays them
+liable to being hanged as pirates."</p>
+
+<p>When the "Grigsby" put out to sea before daylight
+Dave Darrin lay asleep. He slept extremely
+well, too, in the consciousness of a day's duties
+well done.</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204"></a>[<a href="./images/204.png">204</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX</h2>
+
+<h4>DARRIN TURNS THE TABLES</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Both</span> commanding officers were asleep when
+the "Grigsby" and the "Reed" passed each
+other that morning, the "Grigsby" proceeding
+on to her station.</p>
+
+<p>Dave would have gone back on the same water
+route he had hunted over the day before, but the
+dirigible, which had reached England safely, had
+not yet been put in shape for further service, and
+there was at present no other dirigible that could
+be spared for his service.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore it was a matter of back to the shoals
+for temporary duty, yet of a kind that was very
+important.</p>
+
+<p>At ten o'clock he was called, as that was the
+hour he had named for relieving Lieutenant Fernald.</p>
+
+<p>The executive officer had come into the chart-room
+to call him, and remained while Darrin performed
+his hasty toilet.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the weather?" Darrin asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Misty, sir," replied the executive officer.
+"There's a fine drizzle, mixed with some fog. For<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205"></a>[<a href="./images/205.png">205</a>]</span>
+the last half hour it has been impossible to see
+more than six hundred yards. That is why we are
+running at half speed. We're close to the middle
+shoal and I was afraid we'd run down one of our
+own mine-sweepers."</p>
+
+<p>"The kind of weather every ship's master
+dreads," Dave remarked.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, and the weather bites you through to
+the marrow. The temperature isn't very low, but
+I think you'll find yourself more comfortable if
+you dress warmly. I found it so cold as to be
+necessary to wear the sheepskin under my heaviest
+rain-coat."</p>
+
+<p>In finishing his dressing Darrin bore this suggestion
+in mind. In a few minutes he stepped out
+on deck. The weather proved to be as unpleasant
+as Fernald had asserted, and Dave was glad that
+he was warmly clad, for the wind, though not
+strong, was piercing.</p>
+
+<p>"Sighted any mine-sweeper on the shoal?" Dave
+asked of Ensign Ormsby, the watch officer, as soon
+as he reached the deck.</p>
+
+<p>"Only on the first shoal, which is in the 'Reed's'
+station, sir," Mr. Ormsby replied. "Those belonging
+to our station must be farther north. And
+we've sighted none out in deeper water. We
+couldn't in this thick weather, anyway."</p>
+
+<p>"The view is so limited that this doesn't look
+like a promising day for us," Dave mused aloud, as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206"></a>[<a href="./images/206.png">206</a>]</span>
+he gazed around at as much of the water as he
+could see.</p>
+
+<p>"It really doesn't, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Better reduce to one-quarter speed. The less
+speed the less chance there will be of the enemy
+hearing us."</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly the "Grigsby" rolled along slowly,
+the splash and ripple of the water along her sides
+being a soothing accompaniment.</p>
+
+<p>For an hour they proceeded thus, without sighting
+a ship. They had passed the middle shoal,
+and were somewhat north of it when the two
+officers on the bridge observed that the sun was
+struggling feebly through the clouds and mist. A
+minute later, as if by magic, it burst out brightly,
+and the mist began to fade away.</p>
+
+<p>"By Jove, sir, look at that!" almost whispered
+Ensign Ormsby.</p>
+
+<p>Some seven hundred yards away from them,
+motionless on the water, her deck fully exposed,
+lay a submarine.</p>
+
+<p>Neither deck gun was above decks. At least a
+dozen of the crew stood near the conning tower,
+and, of all things in the world, fishing.</p>
+
+<p>"Quick work, there!" Dave called through the
+bridge telephone to the gunners forward. "Let
+number one gun send a shell over the craft. Don't
+hit her at the first shot. We'll capture that fellow,
+if possible!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207"></a>[<a href="./images/207.png">207</a>]</span>
+So quickly did the shot come that it was the
+first intimation the German seamen had of enemy
+presence.</p>
+
+<p>From aloft the signal broke out:</p>
+
+<p>"Don't try to fire a shot, or to turn, or we'll
+sink you!"</p>
+
+<p>An officer's head popped up through the manhole
+of the conning tower, then almost as quickly
+was withdrawn.</p>
+
+<p>As the "Grigsby," obeying her engines, leaped
+forward, the men behind both forward guns stood
+ready to fire at the word.</p>
+
+<p>For the submarine crew to bring either gun into
+place would be the signal for the destroyer to open
+fire at a range constantly decreasing. Nor could
+the enemy craft employ her torpedo tubes without
+turning, which would have been instant signal for
+Darrin to order his gunners to fire on the submarine.</p>
+
+<p>Through the manhole of the enemy craft
+leaped a signalman, flags in hand. Using the international
+code he wigwagged rapidly this message:</p>
+
+<p>"We will make a grace of necessity and surrender."</p>
+
+<p>"That doesn't necessarily mean that they do
+surrender," Dave 'phoned to the officer in charge
+of the forward gun division. "If the enemy makes
+a move to bring a gun into view, or to swing so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208"></a>[<a href="./images/208.png">208</a>]</span>
+that a torpedo tube could be used, fire without
+order and fire to sink!"</p>
+
+<p>The German commander evidently understood
+that this would be the course of the Yankees, for
+as the "Grigsby" bore down upon the submarine
+not a threatening move was visible.</p>
+
+<p>Instead, the Hun crew, unarmed so far as the
+watchers on the destroyer could see, emerged from
+the conning tower and moved well up forward.</p>
+
+<p>"Prepare to lower two boats," Dave called, and
+added instructions for a large crew for each
+launch. As the "Grigsby" came about and lay to,
+the launches were lowered. In the bow of each
+small craft was mounted a machine gun ready for
+instant action. The double prize crew was permitted
+to board the submarine without sign of
+opposition. At the command, German seamen
+began to file past two petty officers, submitting to
+search for hidden weapons, then passing on into
+the launches alongside.</p>
+
+<p>Last of all four officers came through the manhole,
+preparatory to enduring the same search.
+When all the prisoners had been taken aboard, the
+launches started back to the "Grigsby."</p>
+
+<p>Dave Darrin caught sight of the officers, as the
+launches approached the destroyer, and felt like
+rubbing his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"The ober-lieutenant and von Schelling!" he
+exclaimed with a start. "They haven't recog<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209"></a>[<a href="./images/209.png">209</a>]</span>nized
+me yet. When they do that ober-lieutenant
+is going to wish that he had voted for going to
+the bottom of the sea!"</p>
+
+<p>Not, indeed, until the officers came up over the
+side of the "Grigsby," and found Dave Darrin
+waiting on the deck, did the quartette of officers
+discover who their captor was.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>You?</i>" gasped the ober-lieutenant! "Impossible!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; you didn't expect to see me again, did
+you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;I&mdash;I thought you were&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>The German checked himself.</p>
+
+<p>"You thought you had sent me to the bottom
+of the sea," Dave went on. "It wasn't your fault
+that you didn't, but you missed your guess."</p>
+
+<p>Dave then gave the order for housing the prisoners
+below.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you sending the officers to the same place
+of detention that you are sending my men?" demanded
+the ober-lieutenant, a spark of assertiveness
+in his manner.</p>
+
+<p>"Unfortunately, I am obliged to do so," Dave
+answered. "I am aware that German officers consider
+themselves to be of a brand of clay much
+superior to that used in making their men."</p>
+
+<p>"But we officers are gentlemen!" retorted the
+ober-lieutenant, drawing himself up stiffly.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a point that might be argued," returned<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210"></a>[<a href="./images/210.png">210</a>]</span>
+Darrin, lightly. "Yet there is no other course, for
+we have no detention space apart from the main
+one on board, so it is the only place that we can
+use for confining German officers&mdash;and gentlemen."</p>
+
+<p>"May I request the privilege of a few words
+with you before you send me below?" requested
+the ober-lieutenant, unbending a trifle.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly," Dave assured him, and the guard
+that was marshaling the prisoners below permitted
+the recent German commander to step out
+of the line.</p>
+
+<p>"I will see you in my chart-room," said Dave.
+Lieutenant Fernald, who had been standing by,
+caught Dave's signal and entered with his chief.</p>
+
+<p>Once inside Ober-Lieutenant Dreiner turned
+and gazed at Fernald.</p>
+
+<p>"I had expected a private interview, Herr Darrin,"
+he said, rather stiffly.</p>
+
+<p>"Lieutenant Fernald is my executive officer, and
+nothing goes <ins class="err" title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'on on'">on</ins> board with which he is not
+familiar," Darrin replied. "Have a seat, Herr
+Ober-Lieutenant."</p>
+
+<p>"And must I speak before&mdash;before your subordinate?"
+asked the German, as he dropped into
+the chair that had been indicated.</p>
+
+<p>"If you speak at all," Darrin answered.</p>
+
+<p>"But will Herr Fernald keep inviolate what I
+have to say?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211"></a>[<a href="./images/211.png">211</a>]</span>
+"In that," Darrin promised, "he will be governed
+by circumstances."</p>
+
+<p>Dreiner hesitated for a few seconds before he
+began:</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;I&mdash;er&mdash;I have to refer to an incident
+that followed our last words together on a former
+occasion."</p>
+
+<p>"You mean, of course, the time, when you assembled
+on the deck of your craft four prisoners,
+of whom I was one, then closed your manhole and
+submerged, leaving us floundering in the water,
+and, as you expected, to die by drowning?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have not admitted that any such thing took
+place," Herr Dreiner cried, hastily, with a side
+glance at Lieutenant Fernald.</p>
+
+<p>"It will make no difference, Herr Dreiner,
+whether you admit or deny that inhuman attempt
+to murder four helpless prisoners," Dave rejoined.
+"It so happened that all four of us kept alive until
+rescued, and we are all four ready, at any time, to
+appear against you. So there is no use in evasion."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you intend to bring the charge against
+me?" asked Dreiner, in a voice husky with either
+emotion or dread.</p>
+
+<p>"I can make neither promises nor threats as to
+that," Darrin countered.</p>
+
+<p>"The stern British military courts would sentence
+me to death on that charge."</p>
+
+<p>"Probably," Dave agreed.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212"></a>[<a href="./images/212.png">212</a>]</span>
+"And I have a very particular reason for wanting
+to live," Dreiner went on.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have eight young children at home, and their
+sole dependence is on what I earn," the German
+continued. "I do not mind dying, for myself, but
+in that event what will become of my poor little
+children?"</p>
+
+<p>"You Germans fill me with disgust!" Dave
+Darrin exclaimed, rising, as though to terminate
+the interview. "It seems to be a rule with you
+fellows, when you find yourselves facing death, to
+whine about the children you must leave behind to
+starve. Before you set out to murder me in an
+especially brutal manner, did you take the trouble
+to ask me whether <i>I</i> had any children who would
+starve? Did you ask Mr. and Mrs. Launce
+whether they had children that were not provided
+for? And what about that honest old sea-dog,
+Captain Kennor? Did you pause to inquire
+whether he was leaving hungry children behind?
+For that matter, have any of you wild beasts on
+German submarines ever worried yourselves about
+the families you orphaned by your inhuman
+crimes at sea? Even in the case of the 'Lusitania,'
+did <i>that</i> submarine commander ask himself, or
+any one else, what would happen to the women
+and children who were pitched into the sea? You
+are wild to murder innocent, harmless people be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213"></a>[<a href="./images/213.png">213</a>]</span>longing
+to an enemy nation, yet when you yourselves
+are brought face to face with death you
+are all alike. You whine! You beg! Dreiner,
+you are not man enough to play the game! Your
+appeal in the name of your eight children, who,
+for that matter, may not even exist, falls on deaf
+ears when you address me. I hope that you will
+be summoned before a British court and that you
+may be sentenced to pay the full penalty for your
+crimes!"</p>
+
+<p>Dreiner's face went ashen-gray as he staggered
+to his feet. Probably he really was concerned for
+the fate of his children, but his was not the sort
+of record that invited pity.</p>
+
+<p>"I will not detain you here," Dave finished
+coldly. "If I did, I might be tempted to abuse a
+prisoner, and that is something no American fighting
+man can really do. Orderly!"</p>
+
+<p>As the orderly stepped in, saluting, Dreiner
+tried a last appeal:</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you hate us Germans so?" he whined.
+"I know that you do not hate me especially, but
+that you hate all of our race!"</p>
+
+<p>"Why do we hate you?" Darrin echoed. "The
+reason is that, from all we hear, fellows like yourself
+appear to be fair samples of the German
+officer, on land and afloat. If that does not answer
+your question fully, I can think of other
+reasons to give you. I would rather not, for it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214"></a>[<a href="./images/214.png">214</a>]</span>
+brings me perilously close to the offense of abusing
+a prisoner, and that I do not wish to do. Orderly,
+call two men and instruct them to take Ober-Lieutenant
+Dreiner below to join the other prisoners."</p>
+
+<p>As the German stepped past the Yankee commander
+he glared into Dave's face, hissing:</p>
+
+<p>"To-day it is your chance to humiliate and condemn
+a German. It may not be long ere your
+turn comes, and a German officer tells you what
+your end is to be!"</p>
+
+<p>"I am ever at Fate's orders," Darrin answered,
+with a bow.</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215"></a>[<a href="./images/215.png">215</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI</h2>
+
+<h4>ON A MISSION OF GREAT TRUST</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">When</span> the "Grigsby," in broad daylight,
+steamed into the base port with a captured
+submarine and her crew, and a
+German commanding officer who was liable for a
+dastardly crime at sea, there was great rejoicing
+both on the other naval vessels and on shore.</p>
+
+<p>If the German prisoners expected a stormy reception
+when they were landed and placed under
+a guard of soldiers, they were disappointed, for
+nothing of the sort awaited them.</p>
+
+<p>The British populace, though it turned out to
+see the captives marched through the streets,
+proved to be too good sportsmen to make a violent
+demonstration against their now helpless enemies.</p>
+
+<p>Darrin had no sooner turned over the prize and
+made his report to the British admiral than he was
+ready for sea once more.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Darrin," said the admiral, heartily, "when
+you went out the other day you promised to show
+me results. I take this opportunity to assure
+you that you have. You yourself have made
+some notable captures, and have destroyed some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216"></a>[<a href="./images/216.png">216</a>]</span>
+enemies whom you could not capture. Mr. Dalzell's
+record has also been a splendid one. The
+plan by which you are catching mine-layers on
+or near the shoals before they start out on new
+mine-laying work is one that has enabled our
+mine-sweeping craft to accomplish more than they
+have hitherto been able to do. The record of
+mines discovered and swept out of the paths of
+navigation is a fine one, but you have done even
+better work in blocking the enemy so thoroughly
+in their operation of laying the mines in the first
+instance. Your successes are assuming extremely
+notable proportions. To-morrow the dirigible
+will be ready to start out again to aid in finding
+mine-cargo-carrying submarines bound for these
+waters."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir," Dave replied, "I greatly appreciate your
+words of praise, and I can speak in the same vein
+for Mr. Dalzell. Now, as he has had no share in
+destroying the submarines that bring over cargoes
+of mines I intend to detail him for that work
+to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>"That fits in with my plans," nodded the admiral.
+"If you will put to sea and find the 'Reed,'
+and then return to this port, dropping anchor, but
+keeping up steam, I shall have for you, to-night
+or to-morrow, a special task of the greatest importance."</p>
+
+<p>"Very good, sir. Is that all for the present?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217"></a>[<a href="./images/217.png">217</a>]</span>
+"Yes. Your further instructions will be given
+to you when the time comes."</p>
+
+<p>"Very good, sir. Thank you."</p>
+
+<p>Saluting, Darrin left the flagship, returning at
+once to the "Grigsby," which soon put to sea.
+The weather being now comparatively clear, Darrin
+raced away at nearly full speed. Not long
+afterward he overhauled and boarded the "Reed,"
+informing Dalzell of his chance to go on the hunt
+for the submarine mine-carrying craft on the
+morrow.</p>
+
+<p>"I had been wondering if I was to have a little
+share in that sport of kings," said Dan, with one
+of his grins.</p>
+
+<p>"You prevaricator!" Darrin uttered, sternly.
+"When did I ever hog all of the best sport and
+leave you the rind?"</p>
+
+<p>"Kamerad! Don't shoot!" begged Dan, with
+another grin.</p>
+
+<p>"Kamerad" (comrade) is the word the German
+soldiers employ when offering to surrender to Allied
+troops. But "Kamerad" does not always
+mean as much as it conveys, for instances have
+been numerous when Germans have pretended so
+to surrender, then have whipped out hitherto hidden
+weapons and slain their captors.</p>
+
+<p>Returning to port before dark, Darrin put in
+that night in catching up with his sleep. He
+slumbered almost without stirring, for it had been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218"></a>[<a href="./images/218.png">218</a>]</span>
+long since he had enjoyed more than a part of his
+needed rest at sea.</p>
+
+<p>Officers and men, too, made the most of their
+opportunity to sleep that night. Only one officer
+at a time kept deck watch, and only one engineer
+officer down below. The "Grigsby" was ready to
+put to sea almost on an instant's notice from the
+flagship, but no word came.</p>
+
+<p>Fully refreshed, and in the best of condition,
+Dave Darrin enjoyed a famously good breakfast
+the next morning, as did every officer and man
+on the destroyer. Still the orders for special duty
+had not arrived, and Dave was beginning to chafe
+under the delay.</p>
+
+<p>"If it were the first of April I might suspect the
+bluff old admiral were playing a joke on us," Dave
+confided to Lieutenant Fernald. "I might think
+this was his way of affording us all a chance to get
+even with our rest. I am wondering much what
+the special duty is to be."</p>
+
+<p>"You will know, sir, in the same breath that
+you are ordered away to that duty," smiled the
+executive officer.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, this is war-time and advance information
+is very rare," Darrin admitted.</p>
+
+<p>It was, in fact, nearly eleven o'clock when a
+man of the deck watch reported that a boat had
+put off from the flagship and was apparently
+heading for the "Grigsby."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219"></a>[<a href="./images/219.png">219</a>]</span>
+"I'll go out to receive the visitor," said Fernald,
+rising and leaving the chart-room.</p>
+
+<p>The boat was, indeed, heading for the destroyer.
+It soon came alongside, bringing a staff officer
+from the admiral. Lieutenant Fernald received
+the visitor, conducted him to the chart-room, presented
+the officer caller to Dave, then discreetly
+withdrew.</p>
+
+<p>"The admiral's compliments, Mr. Darrin. He
+spoke to you yesterday of special duty of a most
+important nature. I have the honor to bear his
+final instructions."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you are doubly welcome," smiled Dave,
+"for we have been chafing a bit, fearing that the
+admiral's plans might have been changed."</p>
+
+<p>"There has been considerable activity on the
+part of German submarines in these waters of
+late," continued the British naval staff officer.
+"As a rule the Huns keep out of the channel, but
+they have been so active lately that we fear for
+the safety of the hospital ship 'Gloucester,' which
+is bringing home about two thousand wounded
+men. It was the admiral's plan to have you leave
+port, under full speed, an hour before the sailing
+time of the 'Gloucester' from France."</p>
+
+<p>"Is there still time for us to get that hour's
+start?" asked Darrin, rising.</p>
+
+<p>"Unfortunately, the orders were misunderstood,
+Mr. Darrin. The 'Gloucester' actually sailed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220"></a>[<a href="./images/220.png">220</a>]</span>
+about an hour ago. You will find her exact course
+written on this paper, and you are directed by
+the admiral to reach her with all speed and convoy
+her&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"One moment, please!"</p>
+
+<p>Darrin broke off the conversation long enough
+to telephone the executive officer, instructing him
+to transmit the needful orders to the engineer
+officer on duty, and to pipe all hands on deck.</p>
+
+<p>"I am listening, sir," Darrin resumed, wheeling
+about.</p>
+
+<p>"Outside you will find two of our fastest mine-sweepers,"
+continued the staff officer. "They are
+to follow you as closely as possible, and, on nearing
+the 'Gloucester,' they are to turn and sweep
+the course ahead of the hospital ship, while you
+are to be extremely alert for submarines."</p>
+
+<p>"I understand, sir," Darrin nodded. "Are there
+any further orders?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, Mr. Darrin. Whatever else comes up must
+be left to your own discretion to handle. The
+admiral bade me state that he has the fullest
+confidence in your proven ability to handle circumstances
+as they arise."</p>
+
+<p>"My thanks to the admiral for his good opinion,
+and to yourself for informing me of it," smiled
+Dave, still on his feet and moving slowly toward
+the door.</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;er&mdash;have some further information, Mr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221"></a>[<a href="./images/221.png">221</a>]</span>
+Darrin, that will prove of considerable interest to
+you," resumed the naval staff officer, also moving
+toward the door.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes?"</p>
+
+<p>"It possesses a personal interest for you. There
+are, of course, nurses on board, and other Red
+Cross workers. One of them is Mrs. Darrin."</p>
+
+<p>Dave's quick smile of happiness was reflected
+in the staff officer's ruddy face.</p>
+
+<p>"So, you see, Mr. Darrin, you have more than a
+professional interest in meeting the hospital ship
+and bringing her through safely, for in doing so
+you will also be guarding your wife. It is rather
+an unusual stimulus to duty, isn't it?"</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222"></a>[<a href="./images/222.png">222</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII</h2>
+
+<h4>THE RED CROSS TRAGEDY</h4>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">No</span>, sir!" said Dave, promptly. "I love my
+wife, and it will not surprise you to hear
+me say it, but in the discharge of my
+duty Mrs. Darrin has exactly the same status as a
+stranger. I shall be glad, for my own sake, to
+bring through in safety any ship on which she
+sails, but I shall be just as glad to be able to insure
+the safety of any wounded Tommy Atkins on
+the 'Gloucester' who is longing for a sight of his
+loved ones at home."</p>
+
+<p>"By Jove, that's a bully attitude, and I know
+you mean it!" cried the staff officer, holding out
+his hand. "I must not delay you. Good-bye,
+Darrin, and the best of good luck to you!"</p>
+
+<p>A moment later the British officer was over the
+side and being borne back to the flagship, while
+quick orders rang out on the "Grigsby." In as
+short a time as the thing could be done the anchor
+was stowed, and the destroyer was on her way out
+of port at half speed.</p>
+
+<p>Just beyond the harbor Darrin gave the order
+for full speed ahead. From the bridge, three<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223"></a>[<a href="./images/223.png">223</a>]</span>
+miles farther out on the course, he made out the
+two mine-sweepers.</p>
+
+<p>"All starts well," commented Dave to Lieutenant
+Fernald. "May all end as well! By the way,
+Mrs. Darrin is said to be on board the 'Gloucester'."</p>
+
+<p>"Congratulations," said Fernald, heartily. "And
+you may look, sir, for every officer and man
+aboard this craft to redouble his efforts to make
+the day's task a complete success."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't want it for that reason, although I
+expect from all on board the fullest efficiency.
+Fernald, I'm not running an American naval
+vessel primarily for the safety of my family."</p>
+
+<p>For this trip the lookouts were trebled. They
+stood at every point of vantage from which anything
+on the sea might be sighted.</p>
+
+<p>Mile after mile the "Grigsby" logged, plunging
+and dipping in the sea, her decks running water
+and spray dashing continuously over the bridge.
+It was wet work, and over all was the roaring
+racket of the ship's powerful machinery. To Darrin
+it was music; the dash and the sense of responsibility
+thrilled him.</p>
+
+<p>At last came the anxiously awaited hail from
+the lookout aloft:</p>
+
+<p>"Topmasts of a ship almost dead ahead, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Keep her constantly in sight, and as soon as
+you can make out the hull report whether she dis<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224"></a>[<a href="./images/224.png">224</a>]</span>plays
+the hospital Red Cross," the watch officer
+called back.</p>
+
+<p>"Aye, aye, sir."</p>
+
+<p>To those on the bridge the mastheads were
+soon visible. After that came the lookout's hail:</p>
+
+<p>"She's a hospital ship, sir. I can make out the
+Red Cross plainly through the glass."</p>
+
+<p>"It must be the 'Gloucester,' then," remarked
+Lieutenant Fernald.</p>
+
+<p>"Pass the word that the first man really to
+sight a periscope or a conning tower shall have a
+fortnight's shore leave extra," Dave ordered.</p>
+
+<p>He smiled as he heard the scattering cheer that
+greeted that announcement.</p>
+
+<p>"The real way to the sailorman's heart lies
+through extra shore leave," he told Fernald.</p>
+
+<p>"I wouldn't mind winning that prize myself,"
+muttered the executive officer. "That is, if I were
+sure that I could honestly accept the leave without
+prejudice to duty."</p>
+
+<p>"Find the periscope, then," smiled Darrin. "I
+am sure I can win the promised reward, even for
+the executive officer."</p>
+
+<p>Not long afterward they were in plain sight of
+the "Gloucester." On she came, the smoke pouring
+from her pair of funnels. A fast craft, the
+hospital ship was making about her best time in
+her hurry to get safely across with her precious
+human cargo.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225"></a>[<a href="./images/225.png">225</a>]</span>
+Then the "Grigsby" swung far out to port, cut
+a part of a circle, and came back on the hospital
+ship's port bow, darting ahead again, cutting
+across the hospital ship's bow far ahead and to
+port, then turning and crossing once more.</p>
+
+<p>After the two craft had proceeded some distance
+farther the two mine-sweepers were sighted
+well ahead. These craft would soon turn and
+sweep the waters for mines ahead of the hospital
+ship.</p>
+
+<p>Not mere fancy capers was the "Grigsby" cutting.
+As she crossed the "Gloucester's" bows time
+and again her lookouts were able to keep sharp
+watch to port and starboard of the ship that bore
+a human cargo of pain and suffering. It was the
+only way for a solitary destroyer to keep effective
+watch on both sides of the ship she was convoying.</p>
+
+<p>Twice Dave used his glass to glance along the
+nearer rail of the steamship in search of Belle
+Darrin. He did not find her thus, and did not
+try again, for he must not fail in his unceasing
+watch for the ship's safety.</p>
+
+<p>The mine-sweepers signalled their message of
+greeting, then turned and swung into place. From
+this point the "Gloucester" and her escort slowed
+down speed to accommodate that of the smaller
+craft.</p>
+
+<p>The vessel wearing the emblem of the Red<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226"></a>[<a href="./images/226.png">226</a>]</span>
+Cross had not yet reached the spot at which the
+sweepers had turned.</p>
+
+<p>Over the sea came a sullen, significant roar.
+The "Gloucester" shivered from stem to stern. A
+wail of anguish went up in concert from the soldiers
+on board the hospital ship who were worst
+wounded.</p>
+
+<p>It had come so suddenly that, for an instant,
+Dave Darrin was dazed.</p>
+
+<p>"That wasn't a torpedo!" he cried, hoarsely, a
+second or two later.</p>
+
+<p>"She hit a mine, sir," reported Lieutenant Fernald.
+"It wasn't the fault of the sweepers, either,
+for they hadn't time to get that far. But it's
+awful&mdash;awful! There'll be hundreds of the poor
+fellows drowned!"</p>
+
+<p>Dave quickly recovered his presence of mind.
+As the "Gloucester" shut off speed Darrin turned
+and dashed at full speed to the aid of the stricken
+craft.</p>
+
+<p>Even as the race of rescue began Darrin sent
+to the radio operator this message to send broadcast
+through the air:</p>
+
+<p>"S. O. S.! Hospital ship 'Gloucester' has
+struck mine and must founder soon. Rush at best
+speed to give aid. S. O. S.!"</p>
+
+<p>In the message Darrin included also the exact
+position of the stricken vessel.</p>
+
+<p>Two launches were swung outward on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227"></a>[<a href="./images/227.png">227</a>]</span>
+davits. Darrin sprang down to the deck to personally
+select the men to man the launches. Into
+the launches were thrown several rolls of heavy
+canvas and rolls of cordage, as well as such tools
+as might be needed.</p>
+
+<p>By the time that the "Grigsby" had shut off
+speed and lain to, the decks of the "Gloucester"
+were observed to be crowded with people.</p>
+
+<p>The two launches, with Dave Darrin in one of
+them, shoved off and were quickly alongside the
+hospital ship. Two ship's ladders were let down
+over the side. Up these went the two boarding
+parties as rapidly as they could move. Lines came
+swirling down, and canvas rolls and other supplies
+were hoisted to the deck. This work was all
+quickly done.</p>
+
+<p>Not a second must be lost. Dave ordered Ensign
+Peters and several men forward to the bow
+of the hospital ship. With the remainder, Dave,
+carrying a roll of canvas over one shoulder, and
+all hands carrying some burden, started to go
+below.</p>
+
+<p>With a group of Red Cross nurses who stood
+silently and calmly by the patients who were
+being borne to the deck, Darrin was sure that he
+caught sight of Belle.</p>
+
+<p>But he did not look a second time. There was
+too much to be done now when seconds were
+precious. Nor did Belle look up from the work<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228"></a>[<a href="./images/228.png">228</a>]</span>
+that she was doing among the wounded on
+stretchers.</p>
+
+<p>A member of the crew led the American party
+below. Here Dave found two mates and a score
+of sailors already at work. They were trying to
+accomplish the very thing Darrin had come prepared
+to do&mdash;to rig canvas over the hole in the
+hull to shut out as much of the water as was
+possible.</p>
+
+<p>If this could be accomplished, and if the
+"Gloucester's" pumps could drive out most of
+the water that got in past the canvas patch, then
+it might be possible for the hospital ship to keep
+afloat until other rescue craft could reach the
+scene.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll take your orders, sir," spoke up one of
+the mates, saluting, as Dave and his party reached
+a forward hold where, despite the flimsy canvas
+patch already rigged, the water was almost waist-deep.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll work together," returned Dave, briefly.
+"It may turn out that the ship can be kept afloat
+for an hour or two."</p>
+
+<p>"The bulkheads were shut, sir," the mate explained,
+hurriedly, "but fragments of the mine
+entered this first water-tight compartment, and
+also the second. You'd better go down into the
+second compartment, too, sir."</p>
+
+<p>Darrin hurried up to the deck, followed by the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229"></a>[<a href="./images/229.png">229</a>]</span>
+mates and their men. The hole in the first compartment
+extended some six inches below water
+line and some two feet above. It was a long,
+jagged hole. Trying to descend into the second
+compartment with the chief mate, Darrin found
+that the hole here extended at least a foot below
+water line.</p>
+
+<p>"It's going to be no use, sir," said the mate,
+sorrowfully. "I don't believe the ship can be kept
+afloat more than ten minutes before she goes
+down by the head. These are our two biggest
+compartments."</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230"></a>[<a href="./images/230.png">230</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII</h2>
+
+<h4>A NOBLE FIGHT WITHOUT WEAPONS</h4>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Nor</span> was the mate's warning a panicky one.
+There seemed not one chance in a hundred
+of closing the gaps sufficiently to keep the
+hospital ship afloat long enough to save many of
+its wounded passengers.</p>
+
+<p>Dave had made his plans while coming alongside.
+By this time the repair material he had
+brought along lay on the deck. He called his own
+men to help him, and the chief officer sent two
+score more of British seamen to his aid.</p>
+
+<p>The engine-room fires being as yet untouched
+by water, the pumps were working with tremendous
+force.</p>
+
+<p>"Unroll that canvas, there. Run it out lively,"
+Darrin ordered.</p>
+
+<p>In a twinkling the first patch was ready. Dave
+himself helped with weighting what was intended
+for the lower edge of the patch, and with reeving
+in ropes at the sides and top.</p>
+
+<p>"Over with it!"</p>
+
+<p>Lowered down into place, the patch was fitted
+to the hole. It still had to be made fast.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231"></a>[<a href="./images/231.png">231</a>]</span>
+Both port and starboard gangways had been
+lowered, and launches from the destroyer were
+alongside, receiving badly wounded men who had
+been taken over the side on stretchers. The
+"Grigsby's" cutters were also alongside, picking
+up such of the wounded men as could jump in
+life belts. The "Gloucester's" own boats swung
+out after being loaded. The mine-sweepers had
+come up and had lowered their boats and sent
+them to the rescue. Several hundred men and
+women were reasonably sure of being saved, but
+unless Darrin succeeded in what he was undertaking,
+from twelve to fifteen hundred other human
+beings were surely doomed.</p>
+
+<p>Badly as boats were needed, Dave had to commandeer
+two of the smallest. Himself going in
+one of these, he superintended the making fast of
+the canvas patches below from the water. Seamen
+over the hull's side in slings, acting under
+the second mate, did valiant service at the same
+time.</p>
+
+<p>With a single outside canvas patch over the
+forward hole, Darrin moved back to the second
+breach. Here, too, a patch was quickly put in
+place.</p>
+
+<p>By this time the "Grigsby" and the mine-sweepers
+had received nearly as many rescued
+passengers as they could hold. The small boats
+were returning for more.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232"></a>[<a href="./images/232.png">232</a>]</span>
+Up to Dave rushed Captain Senby of the
+"Gloucester."</p>
+
+<p>"Captain," he called, addressing Dave Darrin
+by that courtesy title, "these Red Cross women
+ought to be saved while there's time, but they
+refuse to go over the side until their patients are
+safe."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you expect they would desert their patients?"
+Darrin asked quietly, his gaze still on the
+work that he was directing.</p>
+
+<p>"But, Captain, we must save the women folks,
+anyway! Won't you use your persuasion to help
+me?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," came Dave's quick response. "These
+women are asserting their right to prove the stuff
+that is in them. In this war, in their own fields,
+the women fight as bravely as the men."</p>
+
+<p>"In a time like this the women ought to be
+saved!" the British master insisted.</p>
+
+<p>"Not at the expense of their best sense of duty,"
+Darrin answered.</p>
+
+<p>For an instant Senby regarded the young naval
+officer with amazement before he blurted:</p>
+
+<p>"Captain, I don't believe you have any women
+folks of your own!"</p>
+
+<p>"My wife is one of the Red Cross women on
+board," Darrin answered, quietly. Then, raising
+his voice, he added:</p>
+
+<p>"That patch is ready! Over with it!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233"></a>[<a href="./images/233.png">233</a>]</span>
+Thus was the second patch fitted over the forward
+hole, and men were busy completing another
+for the second hole.</p>
+
+<p>And now with the small boats filled, Darrin
+anxiously surveyed the sea. No ships were yet
+in sight.</p>
+
+<p>"Get more patches ready!" he shouted.</p>
+
+<p>He then descended to the first compartment,
+stepping down into the water to take its depth.
+He judged it to be of about the same depth as
+before.</p>
+
+<p>Four patches were over each hole by the time
+that the first trail of smoke was observed far down
+on the horizon. A steamship was coming to their
+aid, but would it arrive in time?</p>
+
+<p>Another inspection showed that the pumps
+had made a slight gain on the water. It was going
+out of the compartments faster than it could get
+in past the canvas. But Dave knew that ship
+pumps, working to furious capacity, were likely
+to give out at any moment.</p>
+
+<p>He stationed a seaman with lead and line on
+the stairs leading down to each compartment,
+with instructions to take frequent soundings and
+to report sharply to the deck.</p>
+
+<p>The "Gloucester's" rafts, too, were now overboard.
+On these huddled those of the wounded
+or convalescing soldiers who were better able to
+take care of themselves.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234"></a>[<a href="./images/234.png">234</a>]</span>
+But not a single Red Cross woman had yet gone
+over the side. Much as some of the wounded
+might need attendance on the rescue craft or in
+the small boats, those left helpless behind needed
+the women of mercy still more!</p>
+
+<p>A slow gain was still being made on the water
+in the two compartments. If the pumps held
+out, and if the patches did not give way, there
+might yet be a fair chance to save life. But Dave
+knew the dangers that confronted all hands left
+behind, even when he could make out the hull of
+the oncoming steamship, and saw that she was
+moving at fullest speed.</p>
+
+<p>"We should win out, don't you think?" demanded
+Captain Senby, anxiously. "I've never
+lost a ship."</p>
+
+<p>"At least we stand a fair chance to win out,"
+Dave answered, frankly. "Any one of three or
+four things might happen to us yet and send us
+to the bottom."</p>
+
+<p>Darrin spent most of his time inspecting the
+canvas patches. Between times he anxiously
+watched the relief ship. He could see, by glass,
+when she was four miles away, that her davits
+were swung out and her boat-crews in place.</p>
+
+<p>"All depends on how we hold together for the
+next half or three-quarters of an hour," he told
+Captain Senby.</p>
+
+<p>There were still some two hundred patients<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235"></a>[<a href="./images/235.png">235</a>]</span>
+who would have to be moved on stretchers.
+These were brought to the upper deck until the
+stretchers all but blocked passage.</p>
+
+<p>What a cheer went up from those at the rail
+as the steamship, an Italian craft, lay to and began
+to lower her boats! The small boats from
+the hospital ship, the "Grigsby" and the mine-sweepers
+had already gone forward to meet her.
+As fast as they could move in to either side gangway
+these boats discharged their temporary
+passengers, then quickly returned to the "Gloucester."</p>
+
+<p>For an hour all the small boats plied back and
+forth, the rescuers using all their nerve and muscle
+power in their efforts at speed.</p>
+
+<p>Shivering, for he was drenched up to the waist,
+Dave stood by, receiving the reports of the
+leadsmen in the two compartments. The best
+work of the canvas patches had been done. They
+were slowly yielding to the fearful pressure of the
+water without and it was impossible to rig additional,
+fresh patches over them. The water was
+rising, inch by inch, in both compartments.</p>
+
+<p>"How long do you think we can keep afloat?"
+asked Captain Senby, miserably.</p>
+
+<p>"Your judgment will be as good as mine, sir,"
+Dave answered. "It is impossible to name the
+number of moments we can hope to keep above
+water, but we both know it cannot be for long."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236"></a>[<a href="./images/236.png">236</a>]</span>
+At last the decks were cleared of litters. There
+were no more to be brought out. The last boats
+had taken away many besides the stretcher
+patients.</p>
+
+<p>"Give us ten minutes more," said Darrin, as he
+watched the boats discharging at the Italian
+steamer, and returning, "and we shall all be safe."</p>
+
+<p>"They will be the longest, most anxious ten
+minutes that I ever lived!" sighed Captain Senby.</p>
+
+<p>"Man, you're white and you look ill," Dave
+cried. "Buck up! You've done splendidly, and
+the discipline on board has been perfect. You
+have nothing with which to reproach yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you really think so?<ins class="err" title="Transcriber's Note: original reads '&apos;'">"</ins> Senby asked, with a
+wan smile. "I thank you, but it seems to me I
+should have done better."</p>
+
+<p>"You could do better than you're doing now,
+for you've lost your nerve," Darrin warned him,
+in a low voice. "Yet while you needed your nerve
+you kept it."</p>
+
+<p>"You won't mind saying that in your report,
+will you?" asked the master, eagerly. "I'd hate
+to have my family hear anything that would make
+them feel I had broken down."</p>
+
+<p>"The discipline on this ship shows what you
+have done," Dave rejoined. "You're suffering,
+now, on account of the people who may be lost,
+and you're thinking of the Red Cross women who
+are stubborn enough to do their duty like men.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237"></a>[<a href="./images/237.png">237</a>]</span>
+But you've trained your crew well, you have the
+respect of your officers and men, and you've given
+all help possible in the shortest amount of time.
+A ship's master can be judged, instantly, by the
+discipline that prevails on his craft. Your family
+will hear nothing about your conduct that won't
+please 'em."</p>
+
+<p>At this the British master "bucked up" wonderfully,
+but he still watched the Red Cross women
+with wistful eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Here are the first boats coming back to take the
+last of us off," Darrin said encouragingly. "Now,
+clear all hands off lively."</p>
+
+<p>"The women first?" almost pleaded Captain
+Senby.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course!" Dave nodded. "They've done their
+full duty, and done it splendidly. Now, insist."</p>
+
+<p>Galvanized into action by these cheering words,
+Captain Senby cleared his throat, then roared in
+a fog-horn voice:</p>
+
+<p>"All hands stand by to abandon ship! Be
+lively, please, ladies. No man stir over the side
+until the last woman has gone over!"</p>
+
+<p>Some of the Red Cross women smilingly obeyed
+the order; others hung back.</p>
+
+<p>"There are still some wounded men on board,"
+pleaded one of them. "Let the last wounded man
+go over the side, then we'll go."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll kill any man on this deck who tries to go<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238"></a>[<a href="./images/238.png">238</a>]</span>
+over until the last woman is taken care of!"
+shouted Senby, drawing a revolver.</p>
+
+<p>Some of the nurses still demurred, but the master
+was obdurate.</p>
+
+<p>"Ladies," he called out, "this craft can't keep
+afloat much longer. Those of you who hang back
+keep the men from their last chance to get away.
+I tell you, and I mean it, that no man stirs over
+the side until the last woman is on her way to a
+boat. Don't hold us all back, ladies!"</p>
+
+<p>That swept aside the last reluctance of the
+nurses. They trooped forward, to one side gangway
+or the other, and were quickly on their way
+into the waiting boats.</p>
+
+<p>One of them, however, drew back, then smiled
+and crossed the deck.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall remain with you, Dave," announced a
+clear, firm voice, and Dave turned to find Belle's
+steady hand resting on his arm.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you going over the side, madam?" inquired
+Captain Senby, pleadingly.</p>
+
+<p>"You must make an exception in my case, sir,"
+Belle Darrin answered smilingly. "I can hardly
+be expected to leave my husband at a time like
+this."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!" gasped the Briton, understandingly.
+"Madam, you make me anxious, but your devotion
+makes me proud of your sex!"</p>
+
+<p>"Men, now!" shouted the Briton when he saw<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239"></a>[<a href="./images/239.png">239</a>]</span>
+the last skirt flutter at the top of a companionway.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, you'll go over the side, sir, won't you?"
+asked the master, anxiously, as two orderly files
+of men stepped to the sides.</p>
+
+<p>"As the two commanders here," Dave answered,
+easily, "I believe that tradition requires
+you and me to go over last of all, Captain Senby."</p>
+
+<p>"But your wife, sir&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Is an American, Captain, who has taken the
+oath of service to her country's flag just as you
+and I have done."</p>
+
+<p>"But, madam, you&mdash;&mdash;" began the Briton,
+turning to Belle.</p>
+
+<p>"My husband has spoken, sir," smiled Belle.
+"Surely, Captain Senby, you do not believe in
+mutiny."</p>
+
+<p>The soldier patients who had remained behind
+when the nurses went over the side were all men
+who could walk without assistance. These were
+now going over, too. While this was going on
+the chief mate and the boatswain had mustered
+the last of the crew and the roll had been called.
+All were on hand who were not in the small boats.</p>
+
+<p>After the soldiers and the hospital men had
+gone down into boats, and other small craft had
+moved in to replace them, the crew went over,
+the chief mate being the last to go except the
+trio who stood in the middle of the upper deck.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240"></a>[<a href="./images/240.png">240</a>]</span>
+"There's a boat left with room for all of you!"
+the mate called, lifting his hat.</p>
+
+<p>With a last swift look around at the ship he had
+loved, the Briton almost reluctantly followed the
+Darrins. His legs trembled under him a bit as he
+descended the steps of the side companionway,
+but it was from neither exhaustion nor fear.</p>
+
+<p>Last of all the Briton took his seat in the row-boat.
+He tried to clear his throat and give the
+order, but could not speak.</p>
+
+<p>"Shove off!" called Dave to the boat-tenders,
+as he faced the men sitting with their oars out.
+"Give way! One, two, one two!"</p>
+
+<p>The boat belonged to one of the mine-sweepers.
+With true British precision and rhythm the men
+pulled away. Darrin ceased counting and turned
+to his smiling wife.</p>
+
+<p>"Not such a bad time, was it?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"As it turned out, no. But I was afraid, Dave.
+Had a few hundred of the brave fellows been
+drowned, the horror would not have left me as
+long as I lived."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you must steel your nerves a bit, Belle,
+dear. War, at the least, is a grewsome thing, but
+this war contains more horrors than any other
+war of which man has knowledge. The vast numbers
+engaged make it certain that the losses will
+be heavy, and heavier, until the struggle is over.
+If you work up near the front, within range of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241"></a>[<a href="./images/241.png">241</a>]</span>
+the big guns, you will necessarily have to become
+accustomed to seeing the visible evidence of huge
+losses daily."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall grow to it," Belle Darrin declared, confidently.</p>
+
+<p>And now Captain Senby was speaking to him.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a great load off my mind, Captain Darrin.
+I was the merchant marine master of the
+'Gloucester,' but she was taken and refitted so
+quickly that we were sent to sea without change
+of status. On our return from this voyage the
+mates and I had orders to take examination for
+commissions in the naval reserves. Then we
+were to continue aboard the 'Gloucester.' But
+she will be at the bottom in an hour and my
+chances of making the naval reserves will go
+down with her."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see why," Dave returned, heartily.
+"You and your mates are no less capable than
+you were."</p>
+
+<p>Then, in an undertone that reached only Senby's
+ear, Darrin added:</p>
+
+<p>"Man, you've been a bit unstrung, but you've
+gotten away without the loss of a life. Bring your
+nerve back from this moment! Don't let it spoil
+your life or your career. Pull yourself together
+and smile. Smile! Don't let any one see that
+you've a single doubt of yourself! Smile, and go
+up for your examination to-morrow. All that ails<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242"></a>[<a href="./images/242.png">242</a>]</span>
+you is that you worry for the safety of others&mdash;a
+most commendable fault in a skipper!"</p>
+
+<p>From that instant Captain Senby gave at least
+a very good imitation of a man who was modestly
+satisfied with his achievement, though he
+realized that he owed most of the success of the
+last two hours to Lieutenant Commander Dave
+Darrin, U. S. N.</p>
+
+<p>Arriving at the Italian vessel, Darrin transferred
+Belle and himself to a launch from the
+"Grigsby" and promptly rejoined his craft.</p>
+
+<p>Taking Belle to his own seldom-occupied
+quarters on the destroyer, Dave left her there,
+and then went to the bridge and signalled his
+orders to the mine-sweepers and to the Italian
+steamship.</p>
+
+<p>The mine-sweepers were ordered to move in
+advance of the rescue vessel to sweep any hidden
+mine from her path.</p>
+
+<p>"And you, Mr. Fernald, will cross the course
+continually ahead of the steamship and keep the
+most vigilant guard against submarine attack!"</p>
+
+<p>Dave next went to the chart-room, his teeth
+chattering from his soaked, chilled condition.</p>
+
+<p>Here he stripped and gave himself as vigorous
+a rub-down as he could administer, after which
+he attired himself in dry clothing throughout and
+sent orders to the mess kitchen for a pot of hot
+coffee.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243"></a>[<a href="./images/243.png">243</a>]</span>
+Over this warmer Dave lingered long enough to
+gulp down three cups of the steaming beverage.</p>
+
+<p>Then pulling on a dry sheepskin coat and turning
+up the fur collar against the wintry blast, he
+went to the bridge.</p>
+
+<p>"All's secure, and no sign of trouble so far, sir,"
+reported Lieutenant Fernald.</p>
+
+<p>Yet, unknown to any on the destroyer, the
+"Grigsby," driving ahead obliquely from port to
+starboard well ahead of the steamship, was heading
+straight toward a mine that lurked beneath
+the surface of the water.</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244"></a>[<a href="./images/244.png">244</a>]</span></p>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV</h2>
+
+<h4>CONCLUSION</h4>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Shall</span> I order the helm to starboard, sir?"
+asked Ensign Ormsby. "We're due to sail
+too close to that mine-sweeper."</p>
+
+<p>Though the two craft were separated by several
+hundreds of yards, Darrin's quick, trained
+eye took in the fact that the mine-sweeper, by
+the time the "Grigsby" crossed her course, would
+be a safe distance ahead.</p>
+
+<p>"No," he decided; "keep to the course and she'll
+clear us."</p>
+
+<p>Ensign Ormsby nodded and remained silent.
+Neither could know of the hidden mine that lay
+in her path.</p>
+
+<p>Yet less than half a minute later a signalman
+raced to the stern of the mine sweeper, wigwagging
+frantically this message:</p>
+
+<p>"Hard a-starboard! We have just picked up a
+mine!"</p>
+
+<p>The little craft had slowed down; she was maneuvering
+around that mine to get hold and land
+it on her deck.</p>
+
+<p>Ormsby read the signal with his chief. Not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245"></a>[<a href="./images/245.png">245</a>]</span>
+even waiting, now, for Darrin's word, the watch
+officer changed the course.</p>
+
+<p>Right in the course that they had been going
+the mine-sweeper now blocked the way. Had her
+sweep been thirty feet either side she would have
+gone on past and the destroyer would have struck
+the mine.</p>
+
+<p>As the "Grigsby" went astern and to starboard
+of the little craft, then turned and darted port-wise
+across her bows on a new oblique, officers and
+men on the destroyer saw the British crew hoisting
+from the water the mine that would have destroyed
+one of the latest prides of Uncle Sam's
+big war fleet.</p>
+
+<p>It was all over, so far as that mine was concerned,
+and for a moment or two Darrin found
+himself shaking from a chill that had not been
+caused by his recent soaking.</p>
+
+<p>The thought of other probable dangers ahead
+caused him to steel himself once more. To his
+subordinate officers he presented the confident,
+smiling face to which they were accustomed.</p>
+
+<p>Several craft of the British Navy and two
+other American war vessels had received his S. O.
+S. radio message and had started on their way.
+But all would have been too late, for some ten
+minutes after the rescuing fleet started for England
+the "Gloucester" had lowered her nose under
+the water. Soon after there was a violent explo<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246"></a>[<a href="./images/246.png">246</a>]</span>sion
+as the sea water reached glowing furnace
+fires and the boilers, and the hospital ship went
+down, another victim of inhumane warfare that
+respects not even the rights of the wounded and
+sick.</p>
+
+<p>Dave Darrin did not leave the bridge until he
+had seen his little fleet enter the base port.</p>
+
+<p>Then, pausing for only a word with Belle, he
+ordered a launch lowered and went direct to the
+British admiral, reporting his work for the afternoon
+in greater detail, for he had already sent in
+the main facts in a radio code message.</p>
+
+<p>"You have done magnificently, Mr. Darrin,"
+exclaimed the admiral. "It was a wonderful performance
+to keep the 'Gloucester' afloat under
+such conditions until every human being on board
+had been transferred to safety."</p>
+
+<p>"That was made possible largely by the nature
+of the holes in the ship's hull, sir. I cannot say
+positively, but from my examination of the holes
+I believe that the mine that the 'Gloucester'
+struck was not moored as securely to her anchoring
+device as is usually the case. It was not the
+bow of the hospital ship, but the side of her hull
+forward that struck the mine. Two fragments or
+two groups of fragments of the exploding mine
+struck the hull, but from my hurried inspection
+it is my belief that the mine, not being securely
+moored, was brushed somewhat aside by the im<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247"></a>[<a href="./images/247.png">247</a>]</span>pact,
+and therefore the injury was not as great as
+it would have been had the anchoring device held
+the mine more firmly in place. So the ship was
+not as badly hurt as one would have expected her
+to be. That much for the mine, sir. Then I had
+the gallant, splendid help of Captain Senby and
+his mates and crew. I shall mention their performance
+in my written report."</p>
+
+<p>"Better put it in early, then," advised the
+admiral, "for Senby and his mates go up for examination
+day after tomorrow. I can forward to
+the board an extract from your report."</p>
+
+<p>"They are to be examined just the same, sir,
+though the 'Gloucester' is no more?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes; England has a few more ships left,"
+smiled the admiral, "and we cannot get along
+with a reduced number of hospital craft."</p>
+
+<p>So, though Dave Darrin, on his return, escorted
+Belle to the chart-room and chatted with her a
+few moments, and even allowed her to remain
+while he worked, he sent for a yeoman and to
+him dictated an official report of the disaster,
+parts of which document did not fail to do justice
+to Captain Senby and his mates.</p>
+
+<p>"Type that for two copies to be transmitted,
+and one to be filed here, as early as you can, and
+bring to me for signature," Dave directed. "I
+wish to go ashore after signing and sending off the
+reports."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248"></a>[<a href="./images/248.png">248</a>]</span>
+For, at their parting, Admiral Wheatleigh had
+said:</p>
+
+<p>"Darrin, you and your officers and men have
+been overworked for some time. You have done
+splendidly, but now you all need a short rest or
+your nerves will snap. You will therefore remain
+in port a few days, and I would recommend you
+to be liberal in the matter of shore leave."</p>
+
+<p>Even before the typed reports had come in
+Lieutenant Fernald reported with a written list
+of the names of officers and men whom he recommended
+for shore leave beginning that evening.</p>
+
+<p>As a matter of form Darrin glanced down
+through the list, then signed it.</p>
+
+<p>"The last four men on the list report that they
+would like shore leave, but are out of funds, sir,"
+hesitated Lieutenant Fernald.</p>
+
+<p>Drawing his purse, Dave extracted four five-dollar
+bills.</p>
+
+<p>"Lend this to them until pay-day," he directed,
+thrusting the money into the executive officer's
+hand. "They are dependable men, and will come
+to no harm. Up to eleven o'clock I shall be found
+at the Blank Hotel if wanted. At eleven I shall
+leave to come aboard, so you may send in a launch
+for me, Mr. Fernald."</p>
+
+<p>As soon as he had received and signed the typed
+report in duplicate, and had taken steps to forward
+them, Darrin and Belle went ashore.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249"></a>[<a href="./images/249.png">249</a>]</span>
+At ten o'clock that evening Dan Dalzell joined
+them.</p>
+
+<p>"How was the hunting, Danny Grin?" Dave inquired,
+jovially.</p>
+
+<p>"May I speak of such awful subjects before
+Mrs. Darrin?" Dan asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure you may, and do not delay gratifying
+my curiosity," Belle put in.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then," murmured Dalzell, delightedly,
+"all I can say is that the hunting proved wonderfully
+good. With the indispensable aid of the
+dirigible I located four submarines headed for
+this coast, and sank them all. I believe that each
+of the submarines was carrying a cargo of mines
+to enemy submarine mine-layers off this coast.
+Do you call that a day of good sport?"</p>
+
+<p>"For every one but the Germans," Dave
+nodded, beamingly.</p>
+
+<p>But Dan glanced at Belle to see how she took
+such joyous comments on the sudden deaths of
+enemies.</p>
+
+<p>"I could feel sorry for the people of some nations,
+if we were at war with them," Belle Darrin
+stated, calmly. "But when I hear of the deaths
+of German submarine officers and sailors I feel a
+sense of relief at the thought that more of the
+loathsome beasts have been removed from a
+decent world."</p>
+
+<p>Dan, too, and the other officers and the crew of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250"></a>[<a href="./images/250.png">250</a>]</span>
+the "Reed" were granted several days in port. In
+fact, there was no need of their services in the
+same line for some time to come, for a temporary
+but effective stop had been put to German mine-laying
+in the North Sea and the Channel.</p>
+
+<p>The masters, mates and crews of the "Olga"
+and the "Louisa" were tried and sentenced to
+death, and later were executed. Ober-Lieutenant
+Dreiner, for his cowardly attempt to murder Dave
+and his three new friends, was also sentenced to
+death.</p>
+
+<p>Before his leave in port was ended Dave and
+Belle met "Mr. and Mrs. Launce" and learned
+that they were really the Earl and Countess of
+Denby. After her awful experience in the water
+the countess's health remained impaired for
+months, so the noble couple gave up the idea of
+spy work and turned their energies toward Red
+Cross work in France and Italy.</p>
+
+<p>Sophia Weiner and her daughter were convicted
+of espionage in that they had sailed for England
+with false passports. They are now confined in
+some prison in England, and will remain there
+for some years after the war closes.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Kennor reached home safely, where he
+learned that the other boats from the "Rigsdak"
+had reached a friendly shore. It was some months
+before the Danish master went to sea again.</p>
+
+<p>The British admiral's report, sent through<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251"></a>[<a href="./images/251.png">251</a>]</span>
+channels to the Vice Admiral of the American
+destroyer fleet, and by him referred to the Secretary
+of the Navy, was of such character that Dave
+and Dan received the highest praise direct from
+Washington by cable, and afterwards by letter.</p>
+
+<p>They had done their work in the finest American
+naval style, and had made a ten-strike against
+the German mine-layers.</p>
+
+<p>But they took their honors easily, and had need
+to, for there was still greater work ahead of them
+after Belle had used up her few days' leave and
+had sailed back to France.</p>
+
+
+<h4>THE END</h4>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252"></a>[<a href="./images/252.png">252</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253"></a>[<a href="./images/253.png">253</a>]</span></p>
+<h1><a name="HENRY_ALTEMUS_COMPANYS" id="HENRY_ALTEMUS_COMPANYS"></a>HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY'S</h1>
+
+<h2>Best and Least Expensive
+Books for Boys and Girls</h2>
+
+<div class="bbox">
+<div class="boxtext">
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<h2>The Motor Boat Club Series</h2>
+
+<h3>By H. IRVING HANCOCK</h3>
+
+<p>The keynote of these books is manliness. The stories are
+wonderfully entertaining, and they are at the same time sound
+and wholesome. No boy will willingly lay down an unfinished
+book in this series.</p>
+
+<ol><li>THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OF THE KENNEBEC; Or, The Secret of Smugglers' Island.</li>
+<li>THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT NANTUCKET; Or, The Mystery of the Dunstan Heir.</li>
+<li>THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OFF LONG ISLAND; Or, A Daring Marine Game at Racing Speed.</li>
+<li>THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AND THE WIRELESS; Or, The Dot, Dash and Dare Cruise.</li>
+<li>THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB IN FLORIDA; Or, Laying the Ghost of Alligator Swamp.</li>
+<li>THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT THE GOLDEN GATE; Or, A Thrilling Capture in the Great Fog.</li>
+<li>THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB ON THE GREAT LAKES; Or, The Flying Dutchman of the Big Fresh Water.</li>
+</ol>
+
+<p class="center">Cloth, Illustrated&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Price, per Volume, 75c.</p>
+
+<p class="center">Sold by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of price.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p class="center"><b>Henry Altemus Company<br />
+1326-1336 Vine Street   Philadelphia</b></p>
+</div></div>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254"></a>[<a href="./images/254.png">254</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="bbox">
+<div class="boxtext">
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<h2>Battleship Boys Series</h2>
+
+<h3>By FRANK GEE PATCHIN</h3>
+
+<p>These stories throb with the life of young Americans on today's
+huge drab Dreadnaughts.</p>
+
+<ol><li>THE BATTLESHIP BOYS AT SEA; Or, Two Apprentices in Uncle Sam's Navy.</li>
+<li>THE BATTLESHIP BOYS' FIRST STEP UPWARD; Or, Winning Their Grades as Petty Officers.</li>
+<li>THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN FOREIGN SERVICE; Or, Earning New Ratings in European Seas.</li>
+<li>THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN THE TROPICS; Or, Upholding the American Flag in a Honduras Revolution.</li>
+<li>THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN THE WARDROOM; Or, Winning their Commissions as Line Officers.</li>
+<li>THE BATTLESHIP BOYS WITH THE ADRIATIC CHASERS; Or, Blocking the Path of the Undersea Raiders.</li>
+<li>THE BATTLESHIP BOYS' SKY PATROL; Or, Fighting the Hun from above the Clouds.</li></ol>
+
+<p class="right">Price, 75c. each</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2>The Range and Grange Hustlers</h2>
+
+<h3>By FRANK GEE PATCHIN</h3>
+
+<p>Have you any idea of the excitements, the glories of life on
+great ranches in the West? Any bright boy will "devour" the
+books of this series, once he has made a start with the first
+volume.</p>
+
+<ol><li>THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS ON THE RANCH; Or, The Boy Shepherds of the Great Divide.</li>
+<li>THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS' GREATEST ROUND-UP; Or, Pitting Their Wits Against a Packers' Combine.</li>
+<li>THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS ON THE PLAINS; Or, Following the Steam Plows Across the Prairie.</li>
+<li>THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS AT CHICAGO; Or, The Conspiracy of the Wheat Pit.</li>
+</ol>
+
+<hr />
+<p class="center">Cloth, Illustrated&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Price, per Volume, 75c.</p>
+
+</div></div>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255"></a>[<a href="./images/255.png">255</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="bbox">
+<div class="boxtext">
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h2>Submarine Boys Series</h2>
+
+<h3>By VICTOR G. DURHAM</h3>
+<ol><li>THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY; Or, Life on a Diving Torpedo Boat.</li>
+<li>THE SUBMARINE BOYS' TRIAL TRIP; Or, "Making Good" as Young Experts.</li>
+<li>THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE MIDDIES; Or, The Prize Detail at Annapolis.</li>
+<li>THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE SPIES; Or, Dodging the Sharks of the Deep.</li>
+<li>THE SUBMARINE BOYS' LIGHTNING CRUISE; Or, The Young Kings of the Deep.</li>
+<li>THE SUBMARINE BOYS FOR THE FLAG; Or, Deeding Their Lives to Uncle Sam.</li>
+<li>THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE SMUGGLERS; Or, Breaking Up the New Jersey Customs Frauds.</li>
+</ol>
+
+<hr class="short" />
+
+<h2>The Square Dollar Boys Series</h2>
+
+<h3>By H. IRVING HANCOCK</h3>
+
+<ol><li>THE SQUARE DOLLAR BOYS WAKE UP; Or, Fighting the Trolley Franchise Steal.</li>
+<li>THE SQUARE DOLLAR BOYS SMASH THE RING; Or, In the Lists Against the Crooked Land Deal.</li>
+</ol>
+
+<hr class="short" />
+
+<h2>The College Girls Series</h2>
+
+<h3>By JESSIE GRAHAM FLOWER, A.M.</h3>
+
+<ol><li>GRACE HARLOWE'S FIRST YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.</li>
+<li>GRACE HARLOWE'S SECOND YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.</li>
+<li>GRACE HARLOWE'S THIRD YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.</li>
+<li>GRACE HARLOWE'S FOURTH YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.</li>
+<li>GRACE HARLOWE'S RETURN TO OVERTON CAMPUS.</li>
+<li>GRACE HARLOWE'S PROBLEM.</li>
+<li>GRACE HARLOWE'S GOLDEN SUMMER.</li></ol>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><b>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;All these books are bound in Cloth and will be sent postpaid
+on receipt of only 75 cents each.</b></p>
+</div></div>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256"></a>[<a href="./images/256.png">256</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="bbox">
+<div class="boxtext">
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h2>Pony Rider Boys Series</h2>
+
+<h3>By FRANK GEE PATCHIN</h3>
+
+<p>These tales may be aptly described the best books for boys and girls.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>1 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE ROCKIES; Or, The Secret of the
+Lost Claim.&mdash;2 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN TEXAS; Or, The
+Veiled Riddle of the Plains.&mdash;3 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN
+MONTANA; Or, The Mystery of the Old Custer Trail.&mdash;4 THE
+PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE OZARKS; Or, The Secret of Ruby
+Mountain.&mdash;5 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE ALKALI; Or,
+Finding a Key to the Desert Maze.&mdash;6 THE PONY RIDER BOYS
+IN NEW MEXICO; Or, The End of the Silver Trail.&mdash;7 THE PONY
+RIDER BOYS IN THE GRAND CANYON; Or, The Mystery of
+Bright Angel Gulch.</p></div>
+
+<p class="center">Cloth, Illustrated&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Price, per Volume, 75c.</p>
+
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2>The Boys of Steel Series</h2>
+
+<h3>By JAMES R. MEARS</h3>
+
+
+<p>Each book presents vivid picture of this great industry. Each story
+is full of adventure and fascination.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>1 THE IRON BOYS IN THE MINES; Or, Starting at the Bottom of
+the Shaft&mdash;2 THE IRON BOYS AS FOREMEN; Or, Heading the
+Diamond Drill Shift.&mdash;3 THE IRON BOYS ON THE ORE BOATS;
+Or, Roughing It on the Great Lakes.&mdash;4 THE IRON BOYS IN THE
+STEEL MILLS; Or, Beginning Anew in the Cinder Pits.</p></div>
+
+<p class="center">Cloth, Illustrated&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Price, per Volume, 75c.</p>
+
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2>The Madge Morton Books</h2>
+
+<h3>By AMY D. V. CHALMERS</h3>
+
+<ol><li>MADGE MORTON&mdash;CAPTAIN OF THE MERRY MAID.</li>
+<li>MADGE MORTON'S SECRET.</li>
+<li>MADGE MORTON'S TRUST.</li>
+<li>MADGE MORTON'S VICTORY.</li></ol>
+
+<p class="center">Cloth, Illustrated&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Price, per Volume, 75c.</p>
+
+</div></div>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257"></a>[<a href="./images/257.png">257</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="bbox">
+<div class="boxtext">
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h2>West Point Series</h2>
+
+<h3>By H. IRVING HANCOCK</h3>
+
+<p>The principal characters in these narratives are manly, young
+Americans whose doings will inspire all boy readers.</p>
+
+<ol><li>DICK PRESCOTT'S FIRST YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Two Chums in the Cadet Gray.</li>
+<li>DICK PRESCOTT'S SECOND YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Finding the Glory of the Soldier's Life.</li>
+<li>DICK PRESCOTT'S THIRD YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Standing Firm for Flag and Honor.</li>
+<li>DICK PRESCOTT'S FOURTH YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Ready to Drop the Gray for Shoulder Straps.</li>
+</ol>
+
+<p class="center">Cloth, Illustrated&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Price, per Volume, 75c.</p>
+
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2>Annapolis Series</h2>
+
+<h3>By H. IRVING HANCOCK</h3>
+
+<p>The Spirit of the new Navy is delightfully and truthfully depicted
+in these volumes.</p>
+
+<ol><li>DAVE DARRIN'S FIRST YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Two Plebe Midshipmen at the U. S. Naval Academy.</li>
+<li>DAVE DARRIN'S SECOND YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Two Midshipmen as Naval Academy "Youngsters."</li>
+<li>DAVE DARRIN'S THIRD YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Leaders of the Second Class Midshipmen.</li>
+<li>DAVE DARRIN'S FOURTH YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Headed for Graduation and the Big Cruise.</li>
+</ol>
+
+<p class="center">Cloth, Illustrated&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Price, per Volume, 75c.</p>
+
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2>The Young Engineers Series</h2>
+
+<h3>By H. IRVING HANCOCK</h3>
+
+
+<p>The heroes of these stories are known to readers of the High
+School Boys Series. In this new series Tom Reade and Harry
+Hazelton prove worthy of all the traditions of Dick &amp; Co.</p>
+
+<ol><li>THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN COLORADO; Or, At Railroad Building in Earnest.</li>
+<li>THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN ARIZONA; Or, Laying Tracks on the "Man-Killer" Quicksand.</li>
+<li>THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN NEVADA; Or, Seeking Fortune on the Turn of a Pick.</li>
+<li>THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN MEXICO; Or, Fighting the Mine Swindlers.</li>
+</ol>
+
+<p class="center">Cloth, Illustrated&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Price, per Volume, 75c.</p>
+
+</div></div>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258"></a>[<a href="./images/258.png">258</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="bbox">
+<div class="boxtext">
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h2>Boys of the Army Series</h2>
+
+<h3>By H. IRVING HANCOCK</h3>
+
+
+<p>These books breathe the life and spirit of the United States
+Army of to-day, and the life, just as it is, is described by a master
+pen.</p>
+
+<ol><li>UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE RANKS; Or, Two Recruits in the United States Army.</li>
+<li>UNCLE SAM'S BOYS ON FIELD DUTY; Or, Winning Corporal's Chevrons.</li>
+<li>UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS SERGEANTS; Or, Handling Their First Real Commands.</li>
+<li>UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE PHILIPPINES; Or, Following the Flag Against the Moros.</li>
+<li>UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS LIEUTENANTS; Or, Serving Old Glory as Line Officers.</li>
+<li>UNCLE SAM'S BOYS WITH PERSHING; Or, Dick Prescott at Grips with the Boche.</li>
+<li>UNCLE SAM'S BOYS SMASH THE GERMANS; Or, Winding Up the Great War.</li>
+</ol>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2>Dave Darrin Series</h2>
+
+<h3>By H. IRVING HANCOCK</h3>
+
+<ol><li>DAVE DARRIN AT VERA CRUZ; Or, Fighting With the U. S. Navy in Mexico.</li>
+<li>DAVE DARRIN ON MEDITERRANEAN SERVICE.</li>
+<li>DAVE DARRIN'S SOUTH AMERICAN CRUISE.</li>
+<li>DAVE DARRIN ON THE ASIATIC STATION.</li>
+<li>DAVE DARRIN AND THE GERMAN SUBMARINES.</li>
+<li>DAVE DARRIN AFTER THE MINE LAYERS; Or, Hitting the Enemy a Hard Naval Blow.</li>
+</ol>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2>The Meadow-Brook Girls Series</h2>
+
+<h3>By JANET ALDRIDGE</h3>
+
+<ol><li>THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS UNDER CANVAS.</li>
+<li>THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS ACROSS COUNTRY.</li>
+<li>THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS AFLOAT.</li>
+<li>THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS IN THE HILLS.</li>
+<li>THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS BY THE SEA.</li>
+<li>THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS ON THE TENNIS COURTS.</li>
+</ol>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><b>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;All these books are bound in Cloth and will be sent postpaid
+on receipt of only 75 cents each.</b></p>
+</div></div>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259"></a>[<a href="./images/259.png">259</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="bbox">
+<div class="boxtext">
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h2>High School Boys Series</h2>
+
+<h3>By H. IRVING HANCOCK</h3>
+
+<p>In this series of bright, crisp books a new note has been struck.</p>
+
+<p>Boys of every age under sixty will be interested in these fascinating
+volumes.</p>
+
+<ol><li>THE HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMEN; Or, Dick &amp; Co.'s First Year Pranks and Sports.</li>
+<li>THE HIGH SCHOOL PITCHER; Or, Dick &amp; Co. on the Gridley Diamond.</li>
+<li>THE HIGH SCHOOL LEFT END; Or, Dick &amp; Co. Grilling on the Football Gridiron.</li>
+<li>THE HIGH SCHOOL CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM; Or, Dick &amp; Co. Leading the Athletic Vanguard.</li>
+</ol>
+
+<p class="center">Cloth, Illustrated&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Price, per Volume, 75c.</p>
+
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2>Grammar School Boys Series</h2>
+
+<h3>By H. IRVING HANCOCK</h3>
+
+<p>This series of stories, based on the actual doings of grammar
+school boys, comes near to the heart of the average American boy.</p>
+
+<ol><li>THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS OF GRIDLEY; Or, Dick &amp; Co. Start Things Moving.</li>
+<li>THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS SNOWBOUND; Or, Dick &amp; Co. at Winter Sports.</li>
+<li>THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN THE WOODS; Or, Dick &amp; Co. Trail Fun and Knowledge.</li>
+<li>THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER ATHLETICS; Or, Dick &amp; Co. Make Their Fame Secure.</li>
+</ol>
+
+<p class="center">Cloth, Illustrated&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Price, per Volume, 75c.</p>
+
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2>High School Boys' Vacation Series</h2>
+
+<h3>By H. IRVING HANCOCK</h3>
+
+<p>"Give us more Dick Prescott books!"</p>
+
+<p>This has been the burden of the cry from young readers of the
+country over. Almost numberless letters have been received by the
+publishers, making this eager demand; for Dick Prescott, Dave Darrin,
+Tom Reade, and the other members of Dick &amp; Co. are the most
+popular high school boys in the land. Boys will alternately thrill
+and chuckle when reading these splendid narratives.</p>
+
+<ol><li>THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' CANOE CLUB; Or, Dick &amp; Co.'s Rivals on Lake Pleasant.</li>
+<li>THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER CAMP; Or, The Dick Prescott Six Training for the Gridley Eleven.</li>
+<li>THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' FISHING TRIP; Or, Dick &amp; Co. in the Wilderness.</li>
+<li>THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' TRAINING HIKE; Or, Dick &amp; Co. Making Themselves "Hard as Nails."</li>
+</ol>
+
+<p class="center">Cloth, Illustrated&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Price, per Volume, 75c.</p>
+
+</div></div>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260"></a>[<a href="./images/260.png">260</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="bbox">
+<div class="boxtext">
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h2>The Circus Boys Series</h2>
+
+<h3>By EDGAR B. P. DARLINGTON</h3>
+
+<p>Mr. Darlington's books breathe forth every phase of an intensely
+interesting and exciting life.</p>
+
+<ol><li>THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE FLYING RINGS; Or, Making the Start in the Sawdust Life.</li>
+<li>THE CIRCUS BOYS ACROSS THE CONTINENT; Or, Winning  New Laurels on the Tanbark.</li>
+<li>THE CIRCUS BOYS IN DIXIE LAND; Or, Winning the Plaudits of the Sunny South.</li>
+<li>THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE MISSISSIPPI; Or, Afloat with the Big Show on the Big River.</li>
+</ol>
+
+<p class="center">Cloth, Illustrated&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Price, per Volume, 75c.</p>
+
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2>The High School Girls Series</h2>
+
+<h3>By JESSIE GRAHAM FLOWER, A.M.</h3>
+
+<p>These breezy stories of the American High School Girl take the
+reader fairly by storm.</p>
+
+<ol><li>GRACE HARLOWE'S PLEBE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Merry Doings of the Oakdale Freshman Girls.</li>
+<li>GRACE HARLOWE'S SOPHOMORE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Record of the Girl Chums in Work and Athletics.</li>
+<li>GRACE HARLOWE'S JUNIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, Fast Friends in the Sororities.</li>
+<li>GRACE HARLOWE'S SENIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Parting of the Ways.</li>
+</ol>
+
+<p class="center">Cloth, Illustrated&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Price, per Volume, 75c.</p>
+
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2>The Automobile Girls Series</h2>
+
+<h3>By LAURA DENT CRANE</h3>
+
+<p>No girl's library&mdash;no family book-case can be considered at all
+complete unless it contains these sparkling twentieth-century books.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>1 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT NEWPORT; Or, Watching the Summer
+Parade.&mdash;2 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS IN THE BERKSHIRES;
+Or, The Ghost of Lost Man's Trail.&mdash;3 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS
+ALONG THE HUDSON; Or, Fighting Fire in Sleepy Hollow.&mdash;4
+THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT CHICAGO; Or, Winning Out
+Against Heavy Odds.&mdash;5 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT PALM
+BEACH; Or, Proving Their Mettle Under Southern Skies.&mdash;6 THE
+AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT WASHINGTON; Or, Checkmating the
+Plots of Foreign Spies.</p></div>
+
+<p class="center">Cloth, Illustrated&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Price, per Volume, 75c.</p>
+
+</div></div>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Notes</h3>
+<p>Corrections which have been made are indicated by dotted lines under
+the corrected text.
+Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text will <ins class="err"
+title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'apprear'">appear</ins>.</p>
+</div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dave Darrin After The Mine Layers, by 
+H. Irving Hancock
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVE DARRIN AFTER THE MINE LAYERS ***
+
+***** This file should be named 23036-h.htm or 23036-h.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/2/3/0/3/23036/
+
+Produced by Suzanne Lybarger, Brian Janes and the booksmiths
+at http://www.eBookForge.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
+
+</pre>
+
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/23036-h/images/085.jpg b/23036-h/images/085.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b07c270
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/085.jpg
diff --git a/23036-h/images/085_th.jpg b/23036-h/images/085_th.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8b3753b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/085_th.jpg
diff --git a/23036-h/images/10.png b/23036-h/images/10.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..955a618
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/10.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/100.png b/23036-h/images/100.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8a41752
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/100.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/101.png b/23036-h/images/101.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..da5f4b1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/101.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/102.png b/23036-h/images/102.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c7dfc30
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/102.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/103.png b/23036-h/images/103.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f416cb9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/103.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/104.png b/23036-h/images/104.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..56e682b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/104.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/105.png b/23036-h/images/105.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..72a6b24
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/105.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/106.png b/23036-h/images/106.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f0b4946
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/106.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/107.png b/23036-h/images/107.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fa97b18
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/107.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/108.png b/23036-h/images/108.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6dd12b6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/108.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/109.png b/23036-h/images/109.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ede1cd5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/109.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/11.png b/23036-h/images/11.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..838454d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/11.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/110.png b/23036-h/images/110.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a7f91c5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/110.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/111.png b/23036-h/images/111.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..559de6f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/111.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/112.png b/23036-h/images/112.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3df565d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/112.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/113.png b/23036-h/images/113.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6118acd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/113.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/114.png b/23036-h/images/114.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1324959
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/114.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/115.png b/23036-h/images/115.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0b93d96
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/115.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/116.png b/23036-h/images/116.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aa4b329
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/116.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/117.png b/23036-h/images/117.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f6ba529
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/117.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/118.png b/23036-h/images/118.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..65a0c85
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/118.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/119.png b/23036-h/images/119.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5ae4858
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/119.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/12.png b/23036-h/images/12.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d77a7eb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/12.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/120.png b/23036-h/images/120.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..87f10af
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/120.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/121.png b/23036-h/images/121.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b8906c6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/121.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/122.png b/23036-h/images/122.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b8546d3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/122.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/123.png b/23036-h/images/123.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d02c120
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/123.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/124.png b/23036-h/images/124.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..abf3687
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/124.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/125.png b/23036-h/images/125.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..907e2dd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/125.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/126.png b/23036-h/images/126.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..70c978e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/126.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/127.png b/23036-h/images/127.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e8794e4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/127.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/128.png b/23036-h/images/128.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c8478b0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/128.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/129.png b/23036-h/images/129.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d8b6ed9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/129.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/13.png b/23036-h/images/13.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e58a7ef
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/13.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/130.png b/23036-h/images/130.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..738a2cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/130.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/131.png b/23036-h/images/131.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f6db12c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/131.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/132.png b/23036-h/images/132.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b392cf8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/132.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/133.png b/23036-h/images/133.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6361dcc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/133.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/134.png b/23036-h/images/134.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..170495d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/134.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/135.png b/23036-h/images/135.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..560d930
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/135.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/136.png b/23036-h/images/136.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7878128
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/136.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/137.png b/23036-h/images/137.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0a20820
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/137.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/138.png b/23036-h/images/138.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..17f7384
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/138.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/139.png b/23036-h/images/139.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..83e0b55
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/139.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/14.png b/23036-h/images/14.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a5d5cb5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/14.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/140.png b/23036-h/images/140.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6f3c7d2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/140.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/141.png b/23036-h/images/141.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9c285b6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/141.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/142.png b/23036-h/images/142.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cb0387c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/142.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/143.jpg b/23036-h/images/143.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..46285e7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/143.jpg
diff --git a/23036-h/images/143_th.jpg b/23036-h/images/143_th.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d5c1637
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/143_th.jpg
diff --git a/23036-h/images/144.png b/23036-h/images/144.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b1eda05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/144.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/145.png b/23036-h/images/145.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a3ff491
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/145.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/146.png b/23036-h/images/146.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f3f6f04
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/146.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/147.png b/23036-h/images/147.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..800a746
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/147.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/148.png b/23036-h/images/148.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..10a8757
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/148.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/149.png b/23036-h/images/149.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e47a2f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/149.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/15.png b/23036-h/images/15.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..37bc8b6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/15.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/150.png b/23036-h/images/150.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..60d9e97
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/150.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/151.png b/23036-h/images/151.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..33787eb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/151.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/152.png b/23036-h/images/152.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f412692
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/152.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/153.png b/23036-h/images/153.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..90fa362
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/153.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/154.png b/23036-h/images/154.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b6a1f2f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/154.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/155.png b/23036-h/images/155.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c1421ac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/155.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/156.png b/23036-h/images/156.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..61a54f5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/156.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/157.png b/23036-h/images/157.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..51911dd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/157.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/158.png b/23036-h/images/158.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b366b8b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/158.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/159.png b/23036-h/images/159.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b105d8c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/159.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/16.png b/23036-h/images/16.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..597f511
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/16.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/160.png b/23036-h/images/160.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..11efeda
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/160.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/161.png b/23036-h/images/161.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b6a1b2f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/161.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/162.png b/23036-h/images/162.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0c4b61a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/162.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/163.png b/23036-h/images/163.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4a073b8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/163.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/164.png b/23036-h/images/164.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bfa9a4a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/164.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/165.png b/23036-h/images/165.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c9755ca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/165.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/166.png b/23036-h/images/166.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8f21bb6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/166.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/167.png b/23036-h/images/167.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2f8a8e3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/167.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/168.png b/23036-h/images/168.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aac5f2c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/168.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/169.png b/23036-h/images/169.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e869963
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/169.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/17.png b/23036-h/images/17.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0517134
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/17.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/170.png b/23036-h/images/170.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fac9d3e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/170.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/171.png b/23036-h/images/171.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a366589
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/171.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/172.png b/23036-h/images/172.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..436f593
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/172.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/173.png b/23036-h/images/173.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..933fcc2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/173.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/174.png b/23036-h/images/174.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a5bcc2a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/174.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/175.png b/23036-h/images/175.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f6222f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/175.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/176.png b/23036-h/images/176.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d0015c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/176.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/177.png b/23036-h/images/177.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e8372b5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/177.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/178.png b/23036-h/images/178.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cc5be85
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/178.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/179.png b/23036-h/images/179.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dfa6d8e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/179.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/18.png b/23036-h/images/18.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8278c9b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/18.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/180.png b/23036-h/images/180.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cf8dcd4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/180.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/181.png b/23036-h/images/181.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..62b0c42
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/181.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/182.png b/23036-h/images/182.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b4e1752
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/182.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/183.png b/23036-h/images/183.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c88ba18
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/183.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/184.png b/23036-h/images/184.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f925563
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/184.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/185.png b/23036-h/images/185.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e778179
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/185.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/186.png b/23036-h/images/186.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7d4262b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/186.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/187.png b/23036-h/images/187.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8e3e026
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/187.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/188.png b/23036-h/images/188.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1cfbc0b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/188.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/189.png b/23036-h/images/189.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0687975
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/189.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/19.png b/23036-h/images/19.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bc8ebbe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/19.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/190.png b/23036-h/images/190.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5167625
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/190.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/191.png b/23036-h/images/191.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..057b57a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/191.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/192.png b/23036-h/images/192.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..28516fb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/192.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/193.jpg b/23036-h/images/193.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2314e6e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/193.jpg
diff --git a/23036-h/images/193_th.jpg b/23036-h/images/193_th.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1d0c8fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/193_th.jpg
diff --git a/23036-h/images/194.png b/23036-h/images/194.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2e1cca0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/194.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/195.png b/23036-h/images/195.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6165ac8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/195.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/196.png b/23036-h/images/196.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e98067d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/196.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/197.png b/23036-h/images/197.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cc28906
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/197.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/198.png b/23036-h/images/198.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7e7e0ec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/198.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/199.png b/23036-h/images/199.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ef36f4f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/199.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/20.png b/23036-h/images/20.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0ac281f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/20.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/200.png b/23036-h/images/200.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4cabce7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/200.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/201.png b/23036-h/images/201.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f7fb17f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/201.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/202.png b/23036-h/images/202.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0d6d9f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/202.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/203.png b/23036-h/images/203.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f94ce69
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/203.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/204.png b/23036-h/images/204.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e2bfb51
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/204.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/205.png b/23036-h/images/205.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..67f978f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/205.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/206.png b/23036-h/images/206.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..72cc454
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/206.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/207.png b/23036-h/images/207.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eb9ece6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/207.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/208.png b/23036-h/images/208.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..24e5ad6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/208.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/209.png b/23036-h/images/209.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b3c1b64
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/209.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/21.png b/23036-h/images/21.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6e9379b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/21.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/210.png b/23036-h/images/210.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..74d8a66
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/210.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/211.png b/23036-h/images/211.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ee50651
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/211.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/212.png b/23036-h/images/212.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b33e0af
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/212.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/213.png b/23036-h/images/213.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4459928
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/213.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/214.png b/23036-h/images/214.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5fda92a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/214.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/215.png b/23036-h/images/215.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0c724db
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/215.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/216.png b/23036-h/images/216.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..893d8a6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/216.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/217.png b/23036-h/images/217.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..365672a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/217.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/218.png b/23036-h/images/218.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..22a2a5b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/218.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/219.png b/23036-h/images/219.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d125305
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/219.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/22.png b/23036-h/images/22.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..424068b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/22.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/220.png b/23036-h/images/220.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d9a678c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/220.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/221.png b/23036-h/images/221.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..19c4729
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/221.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/222.png b/23036-h/images/222.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9344b18
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/222.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/223.png b/23036-h/images/223.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..47b2be8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/223.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/224.png b/23036-h/images/224.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f9257ab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/224.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/225.png b/23036-h/images/225.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4b26d95
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/225.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/226.png b/23036-h/images/226.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9bd5287
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/226.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/227.png b/23036-h/images/227.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0fc3a0f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/227.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/228.png b/23036-h/images/228.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7c51776
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/228.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/229.png b/23036-h/images/229.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cc7fb79
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/229.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/23.png b/23036-h/images/23.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5b7cc51
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/23.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/230.png b/23036-h/images/230.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..54d64d1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/230.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/231.png b/23036-h/images/231.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8254655
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/231.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/232.png b/23036-h/images/232.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..80ec043
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/232.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/233.png b/23036-h/images/233.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..651a6cf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/233.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/234.png b/23036-h/images/234.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c794b58
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/234.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/235.png b/23036-h/images/235.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5ba0878
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/235.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/236.png b/23036-h/images/236.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..36fa49c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/236.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/237.png b/23036-h/images/237.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..afe5d1b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/237.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/238.png b/23036-h/images/238.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..904576b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/238.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/239.png b/23036-h/images/239.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..27acc53
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/239.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/24.png b/23036-h/images/24.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3a72e21
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/24.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/240.png b/23036-h/images/240.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a27acec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/240.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/241.png b/23036-h/images/241.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bc7a6f3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/241.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/242.png b/23036-h/images/242.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fa01bf2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/242.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/243.png b/23036-h/images/243.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7b5b783
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/243.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/244.png b/23036-h/images/244.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..70ebf53
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/244.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/245.png b/23036-h/images/245.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2a3b655
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/245.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/246.png b/23036-h/images/246.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2eaf243
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/246.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/247.png b/23036-h/images/247.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cd483a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/247.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/248.png b/23036-h/images/248.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bbbfe1e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/248.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/249.png b/23036-h/images/249.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dbb9ec8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/249.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/25.png b/23036-h/images/25.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4dc08d3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/25.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/250.png b/23036-h/images/250.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d8063e4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/250.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/251.png b/23036-h/images/251.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7afc311
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/251.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/252.png b/23036-h/images/252.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..955a618
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/252.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/253.png b/23036-h/images/253.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9737ab0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/253.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/254.png b/23036-h/images/254.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..30df0c6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/254.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/255.png b/23036-h/images/255.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..162409a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/255.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/256.png b/23036-h/images/256.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a6b08ce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/256.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/257.png b/23036-h/images/257.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..32cb024
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/257.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/258.png b/23036-h/images/258.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dae86fe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/258.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/259.png b/23036-h/images/259.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..623f7d4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/259.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/26.png b/23036-h/images/26.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2dabf4e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/26.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/260.png b/23036-h/images/260.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c3596ee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/260.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/27.png b/23036-h/images/27.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f26dc14
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/27.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/28.png b/23036-h/images/28.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..94ee921
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/28.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/29.png b/23036-h/images/29.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..45150c5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/29.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/30.png b/23036-h/images/30.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a49714b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/30.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/31.png b/23036-h/images/31.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fcdf580
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/31.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/32.png b/23036-h/images/32.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3a8a76e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/32.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/33.png b/23036-h/images/33.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5ded36d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/33.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/34.png b/23036-h/images/34.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eeaec80
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/34.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/35.png b/23036-h/images/35.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..be125a3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/35.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/36.png b/23036-h/images/36.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1f5247f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/36.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/37.png b/23036-h/images/37.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..447ee1a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/37.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/38.png b/23036-h/images/38.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b4f474d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/38.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/39.png b/23036-h/images/39.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ee75d77
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/39.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/40.png b/23036-h/images/40.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2cb4473
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/40.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/41.png b/23036-h/images/41.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7d5d291
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/41.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/42.png b/23036-h/images/42.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a68b667
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/42.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/43.png b/23036-h/images/43.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..63bf349
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/43.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/44.png b/23036-h/images/44.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6c4286b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/44.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/45.png b/23036-h/images/45.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b8928bf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/45.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/46.png b/23036-h/images/46.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0f42b55
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/46.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/47.png b/23036-h/images/47.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e31b9ed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/47.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/48.png b/23036-h/images/48.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eb6ca73
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/48.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/49.png b/23036-h/images/49.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cd03adc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/49.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/5.png b/23036-h/images/5.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d25dded
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/5.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/50.png b/23036-h/images/50.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a5ed52c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/50.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/51.png b/23036-h/images/51.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2012478
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/51.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/52.png b/23036-h/images/52.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..81f8bee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/52.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/53.png b/23036-h/images/53.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a5454ac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/53.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/54.png b/23036-h/images/54.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b8597cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/54.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/55.png b/23036-h/images/55.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..28f0ffc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/55.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/56.png b/23036-h/images/56.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3793055
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/56.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/57.png b/23036-h/images/57.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9310b92
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/57.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/58.png b/23036-h/images/58.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2eed506
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/58.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/59.png b/23036-h/images/59.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..47f8f2d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/59.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/6.png b/23036-h/images/6.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7d4520c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/6.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/60.png b/23036-h/images/60.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e8cc1d9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/60.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/61.png b/23036-h/images/61.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..585c8b2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/61.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/62.png b/23036-h/images/62.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..63f18f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/62.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/63.png b/23036-h/images/63.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..79f3e58
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/63.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/64.png b/23036-h/images/64.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2f6bae6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/64.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/65.png b/23036-h/images/65.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5bcee42
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/65.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/66.png b/23036-h/images/66.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..51a2155
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/66.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/67.png b/23036-h/images/67.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2d18cb2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/67.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/68.png b/23036-h/images/68.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3dbae13
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/68.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/69.png b/23036-h/images/69.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2e919ad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/69.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/7.png b/23036-h/images/7.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4aa93bb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/7.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/70.png b/23036-h/images/70.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..10ac5ee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/70.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/71.png b/23036-h/images/71.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4f7fe0e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/71.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/72.png b/23036-h/images/72.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e28dbb1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/72.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/73.png b/23036-h/images/73.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4e397a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/73.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/74.png b/23036-h/images/74.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7ad3891
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/74.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/75.png b/23036-h/images/75.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..724c783
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/75.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/76.png b/23036-h/images/76.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..536ec88
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/76.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/77.png b/23036-h/images/77.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..518089b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/77.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/78.png b/23036-h/images/78.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9fa880a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/78.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/79.png b/23036-h/images/79.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0631b3f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/79.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/8.png b/23036-h/images/8.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..688f99d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/8.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/80.png b/23036-h/images/80.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b663009
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/80.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/81.png b/23036-h/images/81.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5930c80
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/81.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/82.png b/23036-h/images/82.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b08d61c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/82.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/83.png b/23036-h/images/83.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4dc9ee3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/83.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/84.png b/23036-h/images/84.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dccf954
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/84.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/85.jpg b/23036-h/images/85.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c6d41ea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/85.jpg
diff --git a/23036-h/images/85_th.jpg b/23036-h/images/85_th.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..09a78a4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/85_th.jpg
diff --git a/23036-h/images/86.png b/23036-h/images/86.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8d29757
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/86.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/87.png b/23036-h/images/87.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bc9cc69
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/87.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/88.png b/23036-h/images/88.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c43d443
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/88.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/89.png b/23036-h/images/89.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c1f5245
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/89.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/9.png b/23036-h/images/9.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4e19c41
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/9.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/90.png b/23036-h/images/90.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bf973b8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/90.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/91.png b/23036-h/images/91.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ed4987b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/91.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/92.png b/23036-h/images/92.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8b9f66b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/92.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/93.png b/23036-h/images/93.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..34ae05b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/93.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/94.png b/23036-h/images/94.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3df7baf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/94.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/95.png b/23036-h/images/95.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6419216
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/95.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/96.png b/23036-h/images/96.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..49dca5e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/96.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/97.png b/23036-h/images/97.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7d98fae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/97.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/98.png b/23036-h/images/98.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..25c3fff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/98.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/99.png b/23036-h/images/99.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8ac9e6a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/99.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/cover.jpg b/23036-h/images/cover.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cceec7b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/cover.jpg
diff --git a/23036-h/images/cover_th.jpg b/23036-h/images/cover_th.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ce13f98
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/cover_th.jpg
diff --git a/23036-h/images/front.jpg b/23036-h/images/front.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eb1f557
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/front.jpg
diff --git a/23036-h/images/front_th.jpg b/23036-h/images/front_th.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..70e40b0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/front_th.jpg
diff --git a/23036-h/images/i.png b/23036-h/images/i.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f6ed865
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/i.png
diff --git a/23036-h/images/ii.png b/23036-h/images/ii.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..12ce554
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036-h/images/ii.png
diff --git a/23036.txt b/23036.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e7149c1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,7703 @@
+Project Gutenberg's Dave Darrin After The Mine Layers, by H. Irving Hancock
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Dave Darrin After The Mine Layers
+
+Author: H. Irving Hancock
+
+Release Date: October 14, 2007 [EBook #23036]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVE DARRIN AFTER THE MINE LAYERS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Suzanne Lybarger, Brian Janes and the booksmiths
+at http://www.eBookForge.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "Unbolt the door!" _Frontispiece_]
+
+Dave Darrin
+After The Mine Layers
+
+OR
+
+Hitting the Enemy a Hard
+Naval Blow
+
+By
+
+H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+Author of "Dave Darrin at Vera Cruz," "Dave Darrin on
+Mediterranean Service," "Dave Darrin's South American
+       Cruise," "Dave Darrin on the Asiatic
+         Station," "Dave Darrin and the
+              German Submarines,"
+                  etc., etc.
+
+Illustrated
+
+P H I L A D E L P H I A
+HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY
+
+COPYRIGHT, 1919, BY
+HOWARD E. ALTEMUS
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+CHAPTER I--WEIGHING ANCHOR FOR THE GREAT CRUISE                       11
+    Dan is a business man. Sea orders in a jiffy. Anchors a-weigh. The
+    mine-sweepers at work. In the torpedo's path. The Hun that slipped
+    away. An indignant neutral skipper. "You vill do vat ve you
+    tell--yes!"
+
+CHAPTER II--"THE ACCURSED POWER OF GOLD!"                             30
+    Dave dares Fate. A new "boss." Secret of the after-hold. Dave is
+    disgusted. "Vat? Can't proof it you?" Sweeping for more evidence.
+    The prize crew. The vanishing periscope.
+
+CHAPTER III--A FIGHT OF THE GOOD OLD KIND                             41
+    A fair hit. Distant firing. A real sea fight. The "Grigsby" turns
+    tail. "Circle!" At deadly close quarters. Dan Dalzell scores. A
+    stern chase. With the wounded.
+
+CHAPTER IV--WHAT A FLOATING MINE DID                                  55
+    The liner in trouble. The flash of a mine. True to his trust.
+    Seaman Streeter is busy. A deaf jacky. Not present or accounted
+    for. Rescue work. Dan protests. Dave sets the pace. Out for
+    sterner work.
+
+CHAPTER V--EYES THAT LOOKED DOWN FROM THE AIR                         63
+    Why the flash was seen. The "blimp" sighted. A question out of the
+    air. New help. The sea hornet. A narrow squeak. "Laid an egg in
+    your path." Blimp and limp. Seaman Hedgeby enjoys himself.
+    "British hot air," and Dave gets a pal's share indeed. The story
+    of a capture. In deadly peril.
+
+CHAPTER VI--IN THE TEETH OF THE CHANNEL GALE                          78
+    Dave turns real helper. "I thought we were goners!" Making the
+    grapple again. The day's work of a mine-sweeper. In a boiling sea.
+    Life lines up. "Commanding officer overboard!"
+
+CHAPTER VII--IN THE HOUR OF DESPAIR                                   84
+    The vanishing destroyer. Hope, then despair. The meeting of
+    searchlights. Fighting pluck. The rope from somewhere. Looped!
+    "Ugh!" The big sleep. The "Rigsdak." A cowboy Dane.
+
+CHAPTER VIII--DAVE MEETS THE FATE OF THE SEA                          95
+    From the pages of the Arabian Nights. Mr. and Mrs. Launce. The
+    shattering jar. To the boats! No enemy in sight. The gray tower.
+    The hail and a bad time of it. Dave stands revealed. A German
+    prisoner at last!
+
+CHAPTER IX--THREATS TO A PRISONER                                    103
+    What the Danes "got." The chorus of terror. The ober-lieutenant
+    talks. The inquisition. Talk of courtesy. Dave turns stiff. "Where
+    have I heard that name before?" "Things will go badly with you
+    when you arrive in Germany!"
+
+CHAPTER X--LIKE THE FRENCH AND ENGLISH                               109
+    Captain Kennor is polite. A look-in at the periscope. "Yankee
+    meat." Dave is tricky. Shots and a threatened ramming. "You
+    idiot!" Dave plays for his own finish.
+
+CHAPTER XI--A VICTIM OF COURTESY                                     115
+    What of the woman? Mrs. Launce speaks for herself. The game of
+    cross-bluff. An invitation bluntly refused. The turn of the
+    prisoners. On the surface. "You are eager for death." The mystery
+    of the Launces. "You are the Countess of Denby!" "Save your
+    denials for use before a German court." Dave invited on deck. "You
+    are a good boaster." Something to interest him.
+
+CHAPTER XII--GERMAN BRUTALITY AT ITS WORST                           126
+    Radio direct to Germany. Could any woman love this fellow? Dave
+    expresses thanks to the enemy. "My card." The same as confession.
+    "A pleasant evening for four!" The wild brutes of the sea.
+
+CHAPTER XIII--FACING THE PLANNED DEATH                               135
+    The dropping platform. Adrift! Captain Kennor, sea scout. A
+    splendid inspiration. A bully for safety. The tantalizing craft. A
+    glow-worm of the waves. And then--! Like a dream. A bad report.
+
+CHAPTER XIV--DAVE PLEDGES HIS WORD FOR RESULTS                       146
+    Just hospital. A treat for Dave's eyes. Days of bliss. "You little
+    patriot!" Back to duty. "The Germans are beating us." The council
+    of war. Dave's campaign map. Planning the Big Hunt. Something
+    new--results.
+
+CHAPTER XV--DARRIN SUSPECTS THE GERMAN PLAN                          155
+    Sweeping as a fine art. Nosing out the unseen. The "Grigsby"
+    nearly blown out of the water. A wild Yankee cheer. Touching off a
+    nest of "sea eggs." The job of the divers. The double find.
+    Guessing the mine-layers' trick. The "Reed" starts something.
+
+CHAPTER XVI--HITTING CLOSE TO THE SALT TRAIL                         164
+    The non-fighting Huns. A tame capture. Not so tame! What the
+    search showed. "Spot the stupid ones." Questioning Herr Dull-wit.
+    The trap that worked. German bad language.
+
+CHAPTER XVII--TRYING OUT THE BIG, NEW PLAN                           173
+    The admiral approves. Off for the real thing. Stirring up a tidal
+    wave. Knowing how to get the thrills out of life. Trying to run up
+    the score. The traveller in the haze. A ship of mystery and shots.
+
+CHAPTER XVIII--STRIKING A REAL SURPRISE                              183
+    "Leave the steamship to me." The shot across the bow. A shooting
+    game for two. "You're dealing with the United States Navy!" Darrin
+    proves himself. Irons for three. The summons that worked. A tough
+    lot to handle. Juno of the Cabin. A deadly one, too.
+
+CHAPTER XIX--THE GOOD WORK GOES ON                                   192
+    Dave takes a chance. So does Juno. The all-right cargo. Who can
+    the woman be? Dalzell has a fine report. Story of the sub-hold.
+    Mother and daughter no longer mysteries. "The best in a
+    six-month!"
+
+CHAPTER XX--DARRIN TURNS THE TABLES                                  204
+    Weather the ship master dreads. "Look at that!" Getting the drop
+    on Fritz. Old acquaintances. Dave is angry. The German whine. Not
+    man enough to play the game. "Why do you hate us Germans so?" Ever
+    at Fate's orders.
+
+CHAPTER XXI--ON A MISSION OF GREAT TRUST                             215
+    The sport of kings. "Don't shoot!" begs Danny Grin. The dull wait
+    and the sharp dash. Out to meet the hospital ship. "One of the
+    passengers is Mrs. Darrin." "A special interest."
+
+CHAPTER XXII--THE RED CROSS TRAGEDY                                  222
+    The Navy and family matters. Under treble lookout. Sighted. Big
+    pay for a periscope. A wail of anguish. The race of rescue. S. O.
+    S. The sight of Belle. Crowded decks. Two compartments smashed in.
+    "No use, sir."
+
+CHAPTER XXIII--A NOBLE FIGHT WITHOUT WEAPONS                         230
+    Marine patchwork. Not enough rescue to go around. "Those Red Cross
+    women ought to be saved." But they decline. Dave approves. An
+    answer to S. O. S. The fight to survive. The nurses admit defeat.
+    The lurking peril.
+
+CHAPTER XXIV--CONCLUSION                                             244
+
+
+DAVE DARRIN
+
+AFTER THE MINE LAYERS
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+WEIGHING ANCHOR FOR THE GREAT CRUISE
+
+
+"IT sounds like the greatest cruise ever!" declared Danny Grin,
+enthusiastically, as he rose and began to pace the narrow limits of the
+chart-room of the destroyer commanded by his chum, Lieutenant-Commander
+Dave Darrin.
+
+"It is undoubtedly the most dangerous work we've ever undertaken," Darrin
+observed thoughtfully.
+
+"All the better!" answered Dan lightly.
+
+"In our drive against the submarines off the Irish coast," Dave
+continued, "we met perils enough to satisfy the average salt water man.
+But this----"
+
+"Is going to prove the very essence and joy of real fighting work at
+sea!" Dan interposed.
+
+"Oh, you old fire-eater!" laughed Darrin.
+
+"Not a bit of a fire-eater," declared Dalzell with dignity. "I'm a
+business man, Davy. Our business, just now, is to win the war by killing
+Germans, and I've embarked upon that career with all the enthusiasm that
+goes with it. That's all."
+
+"And quite enough," Darrin added, soberly. "I agree with you that it's
+our business to kill Germans, yet I could wish that the Germans
+themselves were in better business, for then we wouldn't have to do any
+killing."
+
+"You talk almost like a pacifist," snorted Dan Dalzell.
+
+"After this war has been won by our side, but not before, I hope to find
+it possible to be a pacifist for at least a few years," smiled Darrin,
+rising from his seat at the chart table.
+
+Dan stood looking out through the starboard porthole. His glance roved
+over other craft of war tugging at their anchors in the goodly harbor of
+a port on the coast of England. As the destroyer swung lazily at her
+moorings the little port town came into view. On all sides were signs of
+war. Forts upreared their grim walls. Earthen redoubts screened guns that
+alert artillerymen could bring into play at a moment's notice. Overhead,
+dirigibles floated and airplanes buzzed dinfully to and fro.
+
+Readers of the preceding volume in this series know how Dave Darrin came
+to be ordered to the command of the brand-new, big and up-to-the-minute
+destroyer, "Asa Grigsby," while Dan Dalzell, reaching the grade of
+lieutenant-commander, had been ordered to the command of the twin
+destroyer, "Joseph Reed."
+
+At the door there sounded a knock so insistent that Darrin knew
+instantly that it was a summons. Springing from his chair, reaching for
+his uniform cap and setting it squarely on his head, he drew the curtains
+aside.
+
+"Special signal for the 'Grigsby,' sir, from the flagship," reported an
+orderly.
+
+Returning the young seaman's salute, Dave, with Dalzell close at his
+heels, darted up the steps to the bridge.
+
+"Signal 'Ready to receive,'" was Darrin's command to his signalman, who
+stood waiting, signal flags in hand.
+
+Rapidly the two flags moved, then paused. Dave's eyes, like Dan's, were
+turned toward the United States battleship that had lately acted as
+flagship for the destroyers and other small Yankee craft assembled in
+this port.
+
+Brief indeed were the motions of the signalman on the bridge of the
+battleship, but the signal, translated, read:
+
+"Proceed to sea in an hour, under instructions already received by you.
+Am proceeding to new station. Report to British admiral, this port,
+hereafter. No additions to these orders."
+
+Instantly Darrin ordered the signal wigwagged back:
+
+"Understood."
+
+Immediately following this the flagship signalled the "Reed," Dan's ship,
+giving the same order, which Dan's executive officer, from the bridge of
+the other destroyer, acknowledged.
+
+"Now, Darry, if you'll have your man signal for my gig," Dan urged, in a
+low voice, "I'll return to my ship. You and I are to cruise in company,
+as far as it may be done, and you are ranking officer. I am to part
+company from you only on your order."
+
+"That is the admiral's order," Darrin acquiesced.
+
+"Good-bye, old chap!" said Dan, with more than his wonted fervor,
+gripping his brother officer's hand. "And may we have the best of luck!"
+
+"The best of a 'business' kind," smiled Dave.
+
+"That's it!" laughed Dan, as he started down the steps. "I'm hoping for
+'big business' this time!"
+
+Dalzell had used the word "gig" in a figurative sense. It was a power
+launch that put smartly away from the "Reed" and was speedily alongside.
+Dan waved his hand to his chum, who was leaning over the bridge rail.
+
+Dave did not return to the chart-room. He received the report of his
+chief engineer at the bridge telephone, then gazed musingly out over the
+crowded waters of the port. It was a busy scene, bristling with war
+activities.
+
+Having compared his watch with the clock on the bridge, Dave glanced
+frequently at that time-keeper. Five minutes before the hour was up he
+gave a quiet order to the watch officer, who telephoned to the
+engine-room and then issued brisk deck orders. At this time Lieutenant
+Fernald, executive officer, joined the group on the bridge, as did also
+the navigation officer.
+
+Promptly to the minute the "Grigsby," anchor up, turned and steamed
+slowly out of the harbor. As she passed, none of the other craft made
+signals. As though unnoticed Dave's ship slipped out of port, the "Reed"
+following.
+
+Then out upon the Channel the two destroyers moved, into the lane now
+followed by all craft that sailed between England and the continent.
+
+"All clear hereabouts," signalled the master of a small mine-sweeping
+craft, meaning that the destroyers, while in that immediate vicinity,
+might feel secure against the hidden mines with which the enemy were wont
+to strew these waters.
+
+"A few miles from here," Dave murmured to Fernald, "we shall have to look
+after our own security. It is going to be lively work."
+
+"Yes, sir?" Fernald inquired, with a rising inflection, for he did not
+know the purpose of this cruise.
+
+Turning to make sure that the signalman could not overhear, Darrin went
+on, in a lower voice:
+
+"Our orders take us out to wage war against the German mine-layers!"
+
+"A great work, sir!" replied the executive officer with enthusiasm.
+"There is sure to be plenty of sport. Then the enemy mine-layers have
+been working more industriously of late?"
+
+"The waters to the north are more thickly strewn with mines than at any
+time previously," Dave continued. "Six British mine-sweeping craft have
+been sent north to do all they can to remove those hidden perils from the
+paths of transports and freighters. Our first mission is to protect the
+mine-sweepers as far as possible, but we are also to keep a sharp lookout
+for German submarines; and especially submarines of the mine-laying
+kind."
+
+"I understand, sir," Fernald nodded. The tone of enthusiasm had faded
+from his voice. Now he displayed only the grave interest of the
+professional sea-fighter.
+
+"All officers and men will have to work twice as hard as usual," Darrin
+went on. "There will be some chance to sleep, but no other leisure. Meals
+will be taken in the least possible time. Our entire crew must be at all
+times ready for instant response to the call to quarters."
+
+"That will not be hard in such times, sir," answered Fernald. "All
+officers and men laid in a good supply of sleep while in port. A few
+added waking hours in each day won't hurt any of us."
+
+"Direct all officers to see that they and their men are fully awake and
+alert at all times when they are on duty," continued Dave. "Otherwise, we
+are not likely to make port again. Dalzell and I have been intrusted with
+keeping down the mine-laying peril as close to zero as possible."
+
+"Very good, sir," replied Lieutenant Fernald. That capable executive
+officer had nothing more to say at present, for his quick mind was
+already devising methods for keeping the crew unusually alert.
+
+An hour and a half after sailing night had settled down. The English
+shore was but a vague, distant line. A short, choppy sea was running. In
+the sky was a new moon that would set early.
+
+The watch had changed, but Dave and his executive officer remained on the
+bridge. Down in the wardroom such officers as were off duty were stowing
+away food in record time.
+
+Half a mile off to the west steamed the "Reed." Suddenly the lookouts on
+both craft reported a vessel ahead. Orders quietly given sent the men to
+gun stations. All eyes were turned on the approaching craft. Then her
+identification signal shone forth in the night. The stranger was a
+British scout cruiser racing back to port from some errand.
+
+In almost the same instant Dave and Dan displayed recognition signals,
+yet the two Yankee craft closely watched the stranger until she moved
+between them, when she was fully recognized as one of John Bull's
+friendly sea-racers.
+
+"Any enemy signs?" Dave signalled.
+
+"No," came the answer.
+
+Soon the British scout cruiser had passed on into the night and vanished,
+but the Yankee lookouts kept vigil even more zealously than before.
+
+Half an hour later an English patrol boat, after exchange of signals,
+passed near by on Dave's port side. Twenty minutes after that two British
+mine-sweepers were found at work combing the seas with their wire
+sweepers. If those wires should touch a hidden mine it would be quickly
+known to the seamen who operated the mine-detecting device, and the mine
+would be hauled up and taken aboard the mine-sweeping craft, provided it
+did not explode in the meantime.
+
+As these two mine-sweepers were under Darrin's command, at need, he
+steamed near one of the pair, and, ordering a navy launch over the side,
+went to visit one of the Britons.
+
+"There's not very much in the way of catches to-night, sir," reported the
+commander of the sweeper, a ruddy-faced, square-shouldered young
+Englishman in his twenties, who had been watch officer on a steamship at
+the outbreak of the war. "Sometimes the fishing is much better."
+
+"This is the area in which we have been ordered to make a strict search,"
+Dave observed.
+
+"I know, sir. But, according to my experience, we may search for hours
+and find nothing at all, and then, of a sudden, run into a mine field and
+take up a score of the pests."
+
+"What is your present course?"
+
+The commander of the mine-sweeper named it, adding the distance he had
+been ordered to go.
+
+"And the other sweeper sticks near by you?"
+
+"Yes, sir. In that way there's a much better chance of one of us striking
+a regular mine field. Then again, sir, if one of us gets into trouble, as
+sometimes happens, the other craft can stand by promptly."
+
+"What is the most common trouble?"
+
+"First," explained the Englishman, "being torpedoed by a submarine;
+second, touching off a mine by bad handling; third, being sunk by some
+raiding German destroyer."
+
+"Then you often hit mines?"
+
+"Since the war began, sir," replied the young Englishman, "we've lost--"
+He named the number of mine-sweepers that had disappeared without leaving
+a trace, and the number that were definitely known to have been torpedoed
+or to have hit floating mines.
+
+"As you see, sir," the Englishman went on, "it's no simple thing that we
+have to do. I lay it to sheer luck that I've escaped so long, but my
+turn may come at any moment. I've lost a number of friends in this same
+branch of the service, sir."
+
+"Then you would call mine-sweeping the most dangerous kind of naval
+service performed to-day?" Dave suggested.
+
+"I don't know that I'd say that, sir, but it's dangerous enough."
+
+Many more pointers did Darrin pick up from this young officer of long
+experience in mine-hunting.
+
+"I'm going farther north," said Dave. "If you run into anything and need
+help, send up rocket signals and we'll steam back to you at top speed."
+
+Before ten o'clock that night Darrin had encountered and spoken with or
+signalled to the commanders of not less than a dozen mine-sweeping craft.
+What struck Dave as the most prominent feature of these small,
+unpretentious craft was the slow, systematic way in which they performed
+their duty.
+
+"It's a wonderful work," Dave explained to Fernald. "If it were not for
+these dingy, stub-nosed little craft, and the fine spirit of their crews,
+hundreds of steamships would probably be blown up in these waters in a
+month. The Hun sneaks through these waters, laying mines, mostly from
+submarines built for the purpose, and these patient mine-sweeper
+commanders go along after them, removing most of the mines from the paths
+of navigation."
+
+Having cruised as far north as his instructions directed him to do,
+Darrin ordered the "Grigsby" and the "Reed" to turn about and nose their
+way back under bare headway.
+
+Every mine-sweeper carried a radio outfit for sending messages. Each
+craft was also supplied with the mast-head "blinkers" for flashing night
+signals. When the craft signalled to, however, was near enough, colored
+lights operated from the deck were used instead, that the messages might
+not be sent far enough into the night to be picked up by skulking enemy
+craft.
+
+"It looks like a night of tame sport, sir," said Fernald, just before he
+went below for a nap.
+
+"It has been quiet so far," Darrin agreed. "But the most striking thing
+in naval service is that whatever starts comes without warning. We might
+have a whole week as quiet as to-night has been, and then run into
+twenty-four hours of work that would give both of us gray hair."
+
+An hour after Fernald went below Dave had a steamer chair brought to the
+bridge, also a rug. The chair was placed where a canvas wind-shield would
+protect the sitter from the keen edge of the wind.
+
+"I'm going to doze right here, Mr. Ormsby," Dave explained to the ensign
+who was on bridge watch. "I'm to be called the instant anything turns
+up."
+
+Accustomed to such sleeps Darrin had barely closed his eyes when he was
+off in the Land o' Nod. Some time afterwards the sharp orders of Ensign
+Andrews, new officer of the bridge watch, caused Darrin to open his eyes,
+cast aside the rug and spring to his feet all in the same instant.
+
+"Torpedo coming on our starboard bow, sir," reported Mr. Andrews, turning
+and finding his chief at his post.
+
+At that instant the "Grigsby" gave a sharp turn to port and sprang ahead
+under quickened speed.
+
+Bump! Swift as the discovery had been made, quickly as the saving orders
+had been given, the oncoming torpedo bumped the hull of the "Grigsby"
+with a crash audible to those within a hundred feet of the point of
+impact. But it did not strike full on, the contact being only glancing,
+like that of a boat going alongside a landing stage. The watchers from
+the bridge saw the torpedo's wake as the deflected projectile continued
+on its harmless way.
+
+"We couldn't have had a much narrower squeak than that!" Dave ejaculated.
+"Andrews, I congratulate you."
+
+"I'm naturally interested in saving the ship, sir, and my own skin as
+well," replied Ensign Andrews with a grin.
+
+Dave, not having taken his eyes from the faint streak on the water,
+called for highest speed and a complete turn. Then, ordering the rays of
+the searchlight to play over the water, Darrin sent the "Grigsby" racing,
+bow-on, toward the spot from which he judged the torpedo to have been
+launched. In the meantime Dalzell's "Reed" had turned her prow in the
+same general direction, steaming slowly after the "Grigsby."
+
+"The Hun can't be located," Dave confessed, a few minutes later. "That
+chap is like most of the other Hun submarine commanders. He'll launch a
+torpedo by stealth, but as soon as he knows the destroyer is after him he
+hunts depth and runs away."
+
+Dave's next order was to send a wireless message, warning all
+mine-sweepers and other craft that an enemy submarine had been discovered
+in that location.
+
+Though no word had been passed for Lieutenant Fernald, that executive
+officer, awakened by the bump and the abrupt change in the destroyer's
+course, hurried to the bridge.
+
+"Did you get a good rest, Fernald?" Dave queried, half an hour later.
+
+"Fine, sir."
+
+"Then I am going to the chart-room to rest for a while. I got chilled
+dozing in that chair. Set the bell going in the chart-room if I'm
+wanted."
+
+Then Dave slept on, without call, for a few hours, well knowing that
+Lieutenant Fernald could well fill his place. The first signs of dawn
+awakened Darrin. He sprang up, reaching for the bridge telephone.
+
+"All secure, sir," reported Fernald, from the bridge.
+
+Dave therefore delayed long enough to make his toilet--a none too
+frequent luxury aboard a destroyer in the danger zone. Then, fully
+refreshed and ruddy, Darrin drew on his tunic and over that his sheepskin
+coat. Placing his uniform cap on his head he stepped out on deck before
+the sun had begun to rise up above the sea.
+
+In the distance, in three different directions, as many British
+mine-sweepers could be seen patiently combing the seas for mines.
+
+"What number recovered?" Dave signalled.
+
+"Three," replied one craft. "Five," said another. "One," came from the
+third sweeper.
+
+"Nine in all," Dave remarked to Fernald. "We're in a mine field, then. We
+shall need to be vigilant."
+
+The sun soon rose, strong and brilliant, only to pass behind a bank of
+clouds and leave the air damp and chilly. An hour later a fog settled
+over the English Channel, soon becoming so dense that one could not see
+beyond about three hundred yards.
+
+Dave went below to a hurried breakfast. Returning, he sent Lieutenant
+Fernald to his meal and rest.
+
+"I'll remain on the bridge all day, unless this fog lifts," Darrin
+decided. He increased the number of lookouts and ordered slow speed, so
+that the long, narrow destroyer, capable of racing rapidly over the
+waves, now merely crept along.
+
+When the watch was changed Dave barely returned the salutes of the
+departing and oncoming watch officers, for his whole attention was
+centered on the sea. Half an hour after that he started slightly, then
+stared hard.
+
+Off the starboard bow he thought he made out something moving as slowly
+as the "Grigsby" herself was proceeding.
+
+"Pick that up, Mr. Ormsby, and see if it's anything more than a dream,"
+ordered Dave, pointing.
+
+Instantly the course of the destroyer was changed several points to
+starboard and speed increased a trifle.
+
+Through the haze there soon developed the outlines of a steam craft, set
+low in the water, and of not more than two thousand tons. She was not a
+handsome craft, but, on the contrary, appeared ghostlike as she stood
+only half-revealed through the fog.
+
+Undoubtedly the stranger had a lookout up forward, but no sign of one
+could be made out as the "Grigsby" gained on her.
+
+Her markings indicated that she belonged to one of the neutral countries
+to the northward. The wet flag that she flew drooped so tightly around
+the staff that nothing could be learned from that bit of bunting.
+
+"One of the neutral traders," remarked Ensign Ormsby.
+
+"She must give an account of herself," Dave answered. "Whatever she is,
+or carries, she doesn't look like a craft to be entrusted with a valuable
+cargo."
+
+As the "Grigsby" ranged up alongside, an officer stepped out from the
+stranger's wheelhouse and came to the rail.
+
+"What craft is that?" Dave demanded.
+
+The skipper, if such he was, replied in broken English, naming a neutral
+country, and adding that the vessel was the "Olga," bound for an English
+port with a cargo of wood pulp.
+
+"I knew she couldn't carry a costly cargo," Dave muttered, then
+commanded, through a megaphone:
+
+"Lie to and stand by to be inspected."
+
+"Vat?" demanded the foreign skipper, in evident amazement.
+
+Dave repeated the order.
+
+"But ve all right are," insisted the skipper, "vot I told you iss our
+cargo."
+
+"Lie to, just the same," Dave commanded. "We'll be aboard at once."
+
+That made the skipper angry, but he dared not resist. The muzzles of two
+of the "Grigsby's" three-inch guns were pointed straight at him now, so
+the clumsy craft stopped and lay tossing on the choppy sea.
+
+Ensign Burton and a boarding crew were told off for one of the power
+launches. At the last instant Dave decided to go with the party and took
+his place in the launch. He was first aboard the stranger when the launch
+had been made fast alongside.
+
+It was now a younger officer who met him at the rail.
+
+"Where is your skipper?" Darrin demanded.
+
+"He me has given der papers to you show," replied the younger officer.
+"Come mit me to der cabin, please."
+
+"I must see this craft's master, and at once," Darrin insisted.
+
+"He here cannot be at dis minute," replied the foreign mate. "To de cabin
+mit me come, please."
+
+"Your cargo is wood pulp, you say?" Dave continued.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Where is it?"
+
+"In our hold, already, sir," answered the mate.
+
+"Throw off that hatch," Dave directed, pointing. "I am going to inspect
+your cargo."
+
+The hatch was promptly uncovered. Leaving Burton and his men on deck,
+Dave descended into the hold by a ladder, followed by the mate and two of
+the "Olga's" seamen. A brief inspection proved that the hold was well
+filled with a cargo of wood pulp.
+
+"Now, you vill go to de after hold, please?" asked the mate, as Darrin
+climbed up to the deck.
+
+"Yes," Dave nodded, and went aft, followed by four of his men, while
+Burton and the others remained forward. Here in the after hold the same
+kind of cargo was found. The "Olga" looked like a straight enough craft,
+but there was something in the manner of the mate that made Darrin
+suspicious.
+
+Calling two of his seamen below Dave produced a tape measure.
+
+"Get the distance from the hatchway to the after end of this hold," he
+directed.
+
+Then, wheeling, he noted that the mate's face had turned to a greenish
+color.
+
+"What ails you, man?" Darrin demanded, eyeing the fellow sharply.
+
+"N-n-nutten, sir," stammered the mate.
+
+One of the seamen reported the measurement he had taken.
+
+"Now, go on deck and measure aft from the hatchway," Dave commanded.
+
+The instant that Darrin was left alone with the mate a pair of muscular
+arms encircled the throat of the young American naval commander from
+behind. In the same instant the mate sprang at him. The two assailants,
+taking him so by surprise, overcame Darrin with comparative ease. In the
+same moment they backed him through a small doorway opening into the hold
+forward.
+
+Down on his back Dave Darrin was thrown, the skipper sitting on his
+chest, while the mate swiftly drew the door to and securely bolted it. In
+this stuffy apartment, lighted only by two swinging lanterns, Darrin
+realized that he must fight promptly if he expected to escape.
+
+A steel tube was pressed against one of Dave's temples, while a hoarse,
+low voice proclaimed:
+
+"Say a vord, and you die shall!"
+
+It was the skipper who was holding a revolver to Darrin's head, and the
+returning mate bent over with an iron hatch bar in his right hand.
+
+"You do vill vat we tell you--yes!" insisted the skipper, his breath
+coming fast.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+"THE ACCURSED POWER OF GOLD!"
+
+
+DAVE made no struggle.
+
+"You're a pair of fools!" he declared, somewhat hoarsely, for the effects
+of the severe choking were still present.
+
+"Fools, maybe," assented the skipper of the "Olga." "But if ve must
+trouble have den you die shall."
+
+"What do you want me to do?" Darrin demanded.
+
+"You send your men to your ship back," declared the big fellow. "Den your
+ship it must out of sight go yet. Ve shall sail back vonce. If your ship,
+or any udder ship to stop us try, den you die shall already--on deck, in
+sight your friends of."
+
+"You big chump!" uttered Darrin.
+
+"Vy you call me dot?"
+
+"Because, no matter what you do or don't do to me, you are going to be
+taken and punished. Do you think my ship would sail without me?"
+
+"Maybe, sooner dan see you killed vonce," glowered the skipper of the
+"Olga."
+
+"You idiot, my subordinates, their suspicions aroused, are bound to take
+this craft, no matter what happens to me. They must do their duty without
+consideration for my safety."
+
+"So?" uttered the skipper, looking at Dave dully.
+
+"So!" Darrin assured him.
+
+"But den you die must vonce."
+
+"Go ahead and kill me," Darrin dared him.
+
+"But if you vill to reason yet listen--"
+
+"You're wasting time and breath," Darrin assured him, coolly.
+
+Just then something happened. Darrin, using a trick that he had learned
+on the wrestling mat and had since perfected, threw both his arms around
+the left arm of the "Olga's" skipper. Clasping his hands and pressing his
+arms against the skipper's left arm, Dave gave a great heave and rolled
+to his own left. The trick depended upon speed.
+
+The skipper crashed over on his head. The revolver was discharged in the
+overturn, but the bullet went wild.
+
+In the twinkling of an eye Dave had grabbed the weapon, and leaped to his
+feet just in time to dodge the hatch bar that the mate tried to smash
+down on his head.
+
+"Back, unless you want yours right now!" Darrin challenged. Swiftly he
+changed the revolver into his left hand as he still covered the pair.
+Then he reached for his own automatic, throwing off the safety device.
+
+"Now, you, Mr. Mate, slip around and unbolt the door, throwing it open,"
+Dave ordered. "Any sign of a trick will end your life on the spot!"
+
+Seemingly cowed, the mate obeyed.
+
+"Open the door--throw it wide open," Dave commanded.
+
+The door was thrust ajar just as the two seamen with the tape reached the
+bottom of the ladder coming from the deck. These two seamen stared in
+astonishment at the stuffy apartment off the after hold.
+
+"Men, take charge of these two rascals!" Darrin commanded, briskly. "Step
+lively, both of you!"--this last to skipper and mate, who obeyed as
+though dazed.
+
+"Pass them up on deck as prisoners," ordered Darrin, and this was done,
+the two seamen drawing their revolvers and standing by the "Olga's"
+discomfited officers.
+
+"Now, for your report," Darrin went on. One of the sailors reported the
+deck-length from hatchway to stern-post.
+
+"A difference of twenty-one feet," smiled Dave, darkly, pointing aft in
+the hold. "You see, men, there are a good many feet of length to be
+accounted for, which means that there is another compartment aft of this
+hold. You," turning to one of the sailors, "go forward and request Ensign
+Burton, with my compliments, to take charge of this steamer. He will
+round up the crew and place them under guard. Then the ensign will leave
+a petty officer in charge of deck and prisoners and report to me here."
+
+Within a very short time Mr. Burton had so reported. Dave, in the
+meantime, having worked his way over the cargo, had found a cleverly
+concealed door at the after end of the hold.
+
+"There should be a key to this door, sir," said Ensign Burton, "but if
+there is a key-hole we are unable to find it. If this really be a door it
+must be operated by a hidden spring."
+
+"Perhaps an axe will work as well as either key or spring," Darrin
+suggested. "Pass the word for one."
+
+The axe was brought by a heavily built seaman, who prepared to swing it
+against the door panelling.
+
+"Break away the boards as gently as possible," continued Dave. "There may
+be an explosive device on the other side of the panelling. For that
+reason I'll stand by you, to take equal risk."
+
+"If there is any risk, I'd rather you wouldn't take it, sir," urged the
+sailor.
+
+"Thank you, but I'll stand by. Swing the axe," ordered Dave.
+
+A few blows knocked in the panelling, revealing, beyond, a room of
+considerable size. Into this stepped the two officers, followed by the
+seamen with them. Unlike any part of the ship they had previously seen,
+this place was lighted by electricity. Burton found the switch, and
+turning it on, let in a flood of light.
+
+"Sir, did you ever!" gasped the ensign.
+
+The purpose of this room was all too plain. It was fitted with
+compressors, leading to a tube that left the ship under water. A small
+but powerful crane was in place over a closed hatchway. The latter, when
+opened, was found to lead down into a second hold, also electrically
+lighted. The two officers explored this second hold.
+
+"Mines were kept here," Dave nodded, "and were hoisted above as needed.
+They were dropped astern by means of a compressed air apparatus which,
+when the mine tube was open, kept the sea from entering. This ugly
+looking little steamer, outwardly a wood pulp carrier, is really a very
+capable mine-layer. She has been busy, too, on this cruise to England,
+but had sown all her mines before we overhauled her."
+
+"It's plain enough, sir," agreed Ensign Burton.
+
+"Confound this rascally skipper!" blazed Darrin, wrathfully. "While naval
+craft have been searching everywhere for submarine mine-layers, this
+skipper has been sailing openly on the seas and sowing mines right under
+the eyes of our allies! The accursed power of gold! This skipper, his
+mate and crew have been selling their very souls to the Hun for a bit of
+his miserable money!"
+
+"They won't do it again, sir!" uttered Burton, grimly.
+
+"Mr. Burton, you will remain aboard as prize officer, and take the 'Olga'
+into the nearest British port and turn her over to the British Admiralty
+authorities. On receiving competent orders you will rejoin."
+
+"Very good, sir."
+
+"And now we'll hurry above and try to get hold of this ship's papers
+before any rascal has a chance to destroy them."
+
+Boatswain's Mate Runkle had kept the officers and crew of the "Olga"
+under such close guard that they were unable to get at their papers,
+which were quickly found by Darrin in the cabin to which he had first
+been invited on boarding the "Olga."
+
+Out on deck, herded forward, were master and mate, seamen, engineers and
+stokers, a motley-looking outfit of twenty-one men all told.
+
+"Bring that fellow here," Dave directed, coming on deck after having
+examined the ship's papers and then turning them over to Ensign Burton.
+
+The master, purple-faced and ugly-looking, his eyes cast down, was
+brought before Darrin.
+
+"Well, sir," announced Dave Darrin, eyeing the man grimly, "we have seen
+the cargo you have on board, and we have been able to judge the character
+of the cargo that you have dropped overboard."
+
+The skipper started, but did not make any reply in words.
+
+"How could you ever bring yourself to commit such villainy?" Darrin
+demanded, sternly. "You are not a German?"
+
+"No," assented the other, shifting his weight from his right foot to his
+left.
+
+"You are a subject of a neutral country."
+
+"Dot is true," admitted the skipper.
+
+"And yet, for hire, you and your men have been engaged in sowing mines,
+and have taken pay from Germany for your crimes."
+
+"Mines? No! Ve do it not any. Ve never any had," declared the skipper.
+
+"Tell that to an Admiralty court-martial," Darrin retorted. "You will
+have difficulty in clearing yourself. Fellow, you will find that you and
+your men will be charged with piracy, for you have been sowing death and
+destruction in the seas. Indeed, there can be no estimating how many
+ships you have already helped send to the bottom, no guessing how many
+lives your infamous work has cost. And you a neutral! Piracy!"
+
+Skipper, mate and chief engineer turned pale at this significant speech.
+The rest of the crew looked on in stolid wonder, for they understood no
+word of English.
+
+"Vat? You proof it can't!" quivered the skipper.
+
+"Wait!"
+
+Dave gave Ensign Burton an order in an undertone. The ensign hurried to
+the bridge and almost immediately from the "Olga's" whistle a series of
+sharp blasts struck out on the air.
+
+From the distance came an answering whistle. The "Olga's" whistle sounded
+again, and continued at minute intervals, until the outlines of another
+craft came up out of the mist and proved to be one of the mine-sweepers.
+
+Dave had already reasoned out the probable course of the neutral
+country's freighter in the last hour before he had overhauled it. As the
+mine-sweeper slowly came abreast, Darrin, a megaphone at his lips,
+shouted an order for the course to be taken by his small helper, and
+added:
+
+"Sweep thoroughly, and try to find some mines near by."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir."
+
+Within fifteen minutes a distant whistle came up from the fog.
+
+"They've picked up one mine," Darrin announced.
+
+Ten minutes later the sweeper's signal whistle was repeated.
+
+"Two mines," he added, and the "Olga's" skipper shivered slightly.
+
+Twenty minutes later came a whistle that was barely heard.
+
+"Three mines," clicked Dave, and ordered the recall sounded, to be by
+direction signals at minute intervals.
+
+"You make dot noise too much den have us all torpedoed yet," protested
+the "Olga's" skipper.
+
+"If that happens, we have a rescue craft near at hand," retorted Darrin,
+meaning the "Grigsby," though the destroyer was now hidden by the fog.
+"That was more than you knew when you planted mines to destroy vessels on
+the high seas."
+
+"I did noddings do," growled the skipper.
+
+In time the mine-sweeper came up into view, again reporting that she had
+picked up three mines by sweeping broadly over the course that the "Olga"
+was believed to have taken. Then a junior officer from the sweeper came
+aboard with the measurements of the captured mines. These dimensions were
+quickly found to correspond with those of the planting device installed
+in the secret compartment of the "Olga."
+
+"Which proves, or doesn't prove, that the 'Olga' sowed the mines," Dave
+declared. "That remains for the court-martial to decide. But the three
+mines just swept up will be interesting evidence for the court to
+consider."
+
+Learning that the commander of the mine-sweeper would be glad to furnish
+some members for a prize crew, and to convoy the prize into port, Dave
+decided to leave Ensign Burton aboard with only three men from the
+"Grigsby," filling out the prize crew with English sailors. This was
+accordingly done. Dave's own ship was then signalled and located by
+whistle, and the launch started on its return.
+
+"Keep that captured crew under strict guard. Don't give them any chance
+to recapture their vessel!" was Dave's last warning to Ensign Burton.
+
+The "Olga" quickly faded away in the fog and then the "Grigsby" was
+picked up and boarded.
+
+"Great work, sir, I'd call it!" declared Lieutenant Fernald, when he
+heard the details of what had taken place.
+
+"The scoundrel, to sail as a neutral, and do such dirty work for the Huns
+for mere pay!" uttered Dave, indignantly. "Fernald, do you know that
+there were moments when I had to restrain myself to keep from kicking
+that scoundrel about his own deck?"
+
+"I can understand the temptation," nodded the executive officer.
+
+"On second thought, though," Darrin continued, "the skipper is certainly
+being much worse punished by the suspense of mind in which his present
+plight places him. He knows that, if convicted, the finding of the court
+will be 'piracy,' and he knows the punishment for that crime."
+
+"It used to be hanging," nodded Fernald. "It seems almost a pity that
+this war has introduced the swifter and more merciful punishment of death
+by shooting."
+
+"And as he looks around at his crew he knows that they must face the same
+fate with him, and he knows, too, that they know that he has brought the
+penalty upon them."
+
+"But is it possible that the crew were ignorant, or most of them
+ignorant, of what he was doing in addition to really carrying wood pulp
+cargoes?" asked Fernald.
+
+"That will be another question for the court-martial to decide," Darrin
+answered. "It doesn't seem possible that any member of the crew could
+really be in ignorance of the mine-laying work."
+
+A long blast from either the invisible "Olga" or the equally invisible
+mine-sweeper now announced that the prize was proceeding on her way. The
+"Grigsby" did not answer, for on a sea infested by hidden enemies it was
+not wise to use too many whistle signals.
+
+The "Grigsby" now returned to her course and former speed, and again
+started on her way. Barely ten minutes had passed when from a bow lookout
+came the sharp hail:
+
+"'Ware submarine, dead ahead, sir!"
+
+Sharp eyes, indeed, that had made out the presence of the enemy craft by
+sighting the slender, almost pencil-like periscope that projected some
+few feet above the water.
+
+At the instant it was discovered the periscope sank down below the
+surface.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+A FIGHT OF THE GOOD OLD KIND
+
+
+FULL speed ahead! Then ahead she leaped. Ere the destroyer had gained
+full momentum her bow struck something under the water. Men were thrown
+from their feet by force of the shock, and the destroyer lurched heavily.
+
+"Hope we haven't torn our bottom out," muttered Darrin as he joined the
+bow lookouts.
+
+On the water appeared a patch of oil which rapidly broadened. A wooden
+stool and other floating objects were visible.
+
+"That looks like a fair score," declared the young lieutenant-commander,
+at which the on-looking seamen grinned broadly.
+
+Over the spot the destroyer again steamed, but nothing passing under her
+keel was noticed. The sea was clear before her.
+
+It was hours later when Darrin received, in a special code of the British
+Admiralty, word that the "Olga" and her convoy had reached port, and the
+"Olga's" officers and crew had been turned over to the Admiralty
+officials.
+
+In the meantime Dan Dalzell and the "Reed," as learned by occasional
+wireless messages, had been separated at no time by more than two miles,
+though neither craft was visible from the other.
+
+Towards the end of the afternoon the fog began to lift. By nightfall it
+had disappeared. The stars came out and the crescent moon hung near the
+western horizon. Both destroyers had again turned north, the two craft
+having drawn in within half a mile of each other.
+
+Dave, after a two-hour nap, went to the bridge at about two bells--nine
+o'clock. He had been there some ten minutes, chatting with Ensign Ormsby
+in low tones, when of a sudden he broke off, listening intently.
+
+"Sounds like distant firing, sir, two points off the port bow," hailed
+one of the bow lookouts.
+
+In a silence, broken only by the wash of the waters and the jar of the
+engines, distant rumbling sounds were again heard.
+
+"That's gun-fire," Dave declared. "Mr. Ormsby, have the signals shown so
+that word may be conveyed to the 'Reed' to keep with us at full speed."
+
+In another moment both destroyers dashed forward with a great roaring of
+machinery and dense clouds of smoke trailing behind from the four stacks
+of each.
+
+When some miles had been covered, with the gun-fire sounding with much
+greater distinctness, Darrin felt that he could judge the distance
+properly. Turning on a screened light he consulted the chart.
+
+"It's just about there," Darrin declared, placing his finger on a spot on
+the map. "Ormsby, I believe that enemy craft are bombarding the little
+fishing village of Helston. It's an unfortified, small port."
+
+"That's the kind the Huns would prefer," returned the ensign, with a
+savage smile.
+
+"Ask the chief engineer if a bit more speed is obtainable; then sound the
+bell in Mr. Fernald's cabin."
+
+A knot an hour more was soon forced from the "Grigsby's" engines, though
+at that racing gait it would have been difficult for an amateur observer
+to have detected the fact that speed had been gained. The "Reed," too,
+leaped forward.
+
+Minute after minute of breathless racing followed. Presently the flashes
+of guns could be made out ahead against the darkness of the night.
+Helston showed no lights, but the sound of bursting shells located the
+fishing village to those on the bridges of the approaching destroyers.
+
+"The hounds!" blazed Dave, indignantly. "Up to their old and favorite
+game of killing defenseless people!"
+
+Long ago the crew had been called to quarters. Everything was in
+readiness to attack the enemy.
+
+"Three of them, and all destroyers, judging by the size of the flash of
+their guns," Darrin judged.
+
+Throughout the war it has been a favorite trick of the enemy, when the
+opportunity offered, to send these swift craft out on night attacks. No
+other craft on the seas, except Entente destroyers, are capable of
+pursuing and overtaking German destroyers when they flee.
+
+"Open fire when we do," was the signal flashed to the "Reed."
+
+"We're ready," came back the instant answer.
+
+Two minutes later one of Darrin's forward guns flashed out into the
+night. From the "Reed" there came a similar flash.
+
+"Let 'em have it, fast and hard!" ordered Dave.
+
+As the two destroyers sprang forward, firing at full capacity, the three
+German craft turned and steamed toward them.
+
+"They outnumber us, and think we'll turn tail!" exulted Dave. "They may
+sink us, but if we do go down at least we'll try to carry our own weight
+in enemy ships down with us!"
+
+Though he did not make an unnecessary movement, all of Darrin's calm had
+vanished. He watched every one of the "Grigsby's" shots, his eyes
+flashing, breath indrawn. When he saw a hit his glance was snapping. Many
+of the shells, however, splashed in the water only, for now the five
+engaged craft were circling about each other in a life-and-death
+struggle.
+
+As they circled and zigzagged the German craft did not offer a very
+certain mark. Darrin and Dalzell were maneuvering in similar fashion.
+
+"If we lose, we lose gamely," thought Fernald under his breath. "Was
+there ever a better or braver commander than Darry? He will ask no odds,
+but is ever willing to give them!"
+
+"Ah!" The exclamation, half sigh, broke from Dave's lips as he saw the
+burst of flame and smoke as a shell landed on the superstructure of the
+leading German destroyer.
+
+Then another shell from the "Grigsby" struck the same enemy's mast,
+smashing the crow's-nest and hurling German seamen, dead or crippled,
+into the sea.
+
+Three enemy shells landed on the "Grigsby," causing no serious damage.
+But the fourth hit dismounted one of Darrin's forward guns, killing three
+men and wounding five. Hardly an instant later another German shell
+landed on the bridge, reducing some of the metal work to a mass of
+twisted junk and ripping out part of the deck.
+
+Shell fragments and flying splinters flew on all sides, yet out of this
+hurricane of destruction emerged Darrin, Fernald and the watch officer,
+all uninjured.
+
+An instant later Darrin shouted his orders in Fernald's ear, then gained
+the deck below in a series of leaps.
+
+With one of her forward guns dismounted, the "Grigsby" was to that extent
+out of business. Preferring not to trust to his torpedo tubes, at this
+juncture Darrin raced aft, just as the destroyer began to execute a swift
+turn.
+
+And now Dave's craft turned tail and ran for it, the young commander
+directing personally the service of the after guns as the foremost German
+destroyer gave chase.
+
+Two more hits were scored by the enemy, with the result that two more of
+Dave's hardy young seamen were killed and four wounded. Matters were
+beginning to look decidedly serious.
+
+As for Dan Dalzell, when he saw the "Grigsby" turn tail and flee, his
+heart gave a great bound.
+
+"Good old Darry didn't do that unless he had to," Dan told himself. "I
+must cover his retreat somehow."
+
+So, his guns barking, and men standing by at the torpedo tubes, Dalzell
+darted straight for the second of the German destroyers.
+
+Fortunately there was plenty of sea-room, for Dave Darrin was not in
+reality running away. He was still alert to win the fight, but he wanted
+to win with the smallest possible loss among his own men.
+
+The Hun craft pursuing him was the slowest of the three enemies. This
+Dave had already guessed. He allowed the other craft to gain for half a
+mile, then suddenly shot ahead. By this time several hits had been scored
+by both combatants, and the third enemy destroyer was maneuvering for a
+position from which she could render herself effective to send Darrin and
+his men to the bottom.
+
+Just when it happened Lieutenant Fernald hardly knew, but once more
+Darrin stood on the bridge at his side.
+
+"Circle!" Dave shouted. "The shortest circle we can make, so as not to
+show our broadside longer than we must."
+
+Running under full speed, and with a helm that she minded, the "Grigsby"
+swung around. So unlooked for was this maneuver that the pursuing Hun
+craft did not succeed in making a direct hit on the Yankee ship during
+the turn.
+
+And then, just as the turn brought him where he wished to be, and at
+deadly close quarters, Darrin gave his next order.
+
+Forward leaped the American destroyer. Too late the astonished German
+commander saw the purpose of the maneuver.
+
+With knife-like prow the "Grigsby" crashed into the German vessel, the
+blow striking just forward of amidships.
+
+As the butcher's cleaver passes through the bone, so did the bow of the
+Yankee destroyer go through the Hun.
+
+Yet in the moment of impact Darrin rang the bridge signal to the
+engine-room for full speed astern. Nor was this command executed an
+instant too soon. Just in the nick of time Dave's gallant little ship
+drew back out of the fearful hole that she had torn in the enemy.
+
+Aboard the Hun craft the yells of dying men rose on the air, for the
+enemy destroyer had been all but cut in two.
+
+Listing before an irresistible inrush of water, the German destroyer
+almost turned turtle, then sank quickly beneath the waves.
+
+To the northward a muffled roar sounded, followed instantly by another.
+Dalzell had let go with both forward torpedo tubes, and both had scored.
+The second stricken enemy ship began to fill and sink slowly.
+
+"Shall we stop to pick up men?" called Fernald.
+
+"Too bad, but we cannot linger while one of the enemy craft still
+floats," Darrin replied, calmly. "Our first business is to sink enemy
+ships. We cannot be humane just yet. Give full chase, Mr. Fernald!"
+
+The German survivor had already turned tail, for these Yankee fighters
+were altogether too swift in their style of combat. Dalzell, whose craft
+was nearer the fugitive, was now first in pursuit.
+
+To avoid firing over his chum's craft Darrin steered obliquely to
+starboard, then joined in the chase, firing frequently with his remaining
+forward three-inch gun.
+
+As to speed it proved a losing race. The German craft that had survived
+proved to be a shade more speedy than either the "Grigsby" or the "Reed,"
+so the two craft in chase endeavored to make up for the difference with
+active fire.
+
+Some direct hits were made. In a little more than half an hour, however,
+the Hun destroyer was out of range of the Yankee guns.
+
+"We'll drive her back to her base port, anyway," Darrin signalled
+Dalzell.
+
+So two narrow ribbons of searchlight glow played over the sea, keeping
+the enemy in sight as long as possible.
+
+Presently the German's hull vanished below the horizon; then the lower
+parts of her masts and stacks went out of sight. Still the two Yankee
+destroyers hung on, in a race that they knew they could not win.
+
+Only when Darrin's knowledge of these waters told him that the fleeing
+destroyer was safe did he signal the "Reed" to "abandon chase."
+
+Reluctantly Dan Dalzell's little ship swung around, heading to keep the
+"Grigsby" company on the new course.
+
+"Tackled superior numbers, and sank two out of three," Dave commented,
+calmly. "Not what one would call a poor evening's work, gentlemen."
+
+"It was splendidly done, sir," glowed Lieutenant Fernald.
+
+"We won't take too much credit to ourselves," Dave proposed. "Let us give
+some of the credit to luck."
+
+"Not with you in command, sir," protested the executive officer.
+
+"But we did have a lot of luck," Dave insisted.
+
+"The luck that you planned and schemed for, with your mind working like
+lightning," Fernald retorted.
+
+He was too much of a man to try to flatter his chief. Fernald spoke from
+the depths of complete conviction. He had known Dave Darrin's reputation
+at sea even before he had come to serve under this swift-thinking young
+officer.
+
+Dave's first care, now, was to inspect the dismounted gun. Only a few
+moments did he need to convince himself that the piece was a wreck that
+could never be put in use again.
+
+He then descended to the sick bay, where the surgeon and four baymen were
+giving tender attention to the wounded men.
+
+"It was a good fight, men," Dave said, as he passed through the bay.
+
+"Then I'm not kicking at what I found," cried one young sailor lad,
+cheerily.
+
+"Nor I," added another. "It was worth something, sir, to take part in a
+fight like that. Ouch! O-o-o-h!"
+
+Dave paused to bend over the sufferer, resting a hand on his nearer
+shoulder.
+
+"I beg pardon, sir," said the lad. "I didn't mean to make such a fuss.
+You'll think me a regular baby, sir."
+
+"No one is to be blamed for yelling, with a pair of shell fragment wounds
+like yours," broke in the surgeon, bending over and examining. "My boy,
+you have regular man's-size wounds."
+
+"Not going to croak me, are you, sir?" asked the young sailor, looking up
+into Medico's eyes.
+
+"Oh, no; not this trip, my lad."
+
+"Then I don't care," returned the young seaman. "Wouldn't care much,
+anyway, but there's a mother at home who would! Ouch! There I go again.
+My mother'd be ashamed of me."
+
+"No, she wouldn't," smiled the surgeon. "Look here, what I took out of
+that hole in your leg."
+
+He held up a jagged fragment of shell. It was somewhat oval-shaped, about
+an inch and a half in length and half as wide.
+
+"It hurt you more when I took that out than it would to pull a dozen of
+your teeth at once. Let's look at this other hole, the one on the other
+thigh. That's going to be a tougher job. I'll give you a few whiffs of
+chloroform, so you won't notice anything."
+
+"Do I have to have the chloroform, sir?" demanded the sailor lad, who was
+not more than eighteen.
+
+"You don't have to, Bassett, but it will be for your comfort," replied
+Medico.
+
+"Then don't ask me to smell the stuff, sir. When this war is over I want
+to look back and think of myself as a fighting man--not as a chap who had
+to be gassed every time the sawbones looked at him. Beg your pardon,
+sir."
+
+But Medico merely smiled at being called sawbones.
+
+"Chloroform or not, just as you like, lad," the surgeon went on. "Either
+way, you can always look back with satisfaction on your record as a
+fighting man, for your grit is all of the right kind."
+
+"Much obliged to you, sir, for saying that," replied the young sailor.
+"Ouch! Wait, please, sir. Let me get a grip on the cot frame with both
+hands. Now, I'm all ready, sir."
+
+"Same old breed of Yankee sailor as always," Darrin smiled down into the
+lad's face while the surgeon began the painful work of extracting another
+shell fragment. This one being more deeply imbedded, the surgeon was
+obliged to make a selection of scalpel and tissue scissors and do some
+nerve-racking cutting. But the seaman, his hands tightly gripped on the
+edges of the operating table, which he had termed a cot, did not once cry
+out, though ice-cold sweat beaded his forehead under Darrin's warm hand.
+
+Then a bayman washed down the enameled surface of the table, rinsing the
+blood away, and another attendant skilfully dressed and bandaged the
+second wound as he had done the first. Two baymen brought a stretcher and
+the lad was taken to a bunk. Here he was given a drink that, after five
+minutes, caused him to doze and dream fitfully of the battle through
+which he had lately passed.
+
+By this time nearly all of the wounded had received first attention.
+Dave Darrin, followed by a junior officer, went forward to another, still
+smaller room, where he gazed down with heaving breast at the forms of the
+seamen who had given up their lives under the Stars and Stripes in the
+gallant work of that night.
+
+Over the face of each dead man lay a cloth. Each cloth was removed in
+turn by a sailor as Darrin passed along.
+
+"A good fighting man and a great romp on shore," said Dave, looking down
+at the face of one man. "One of the best fellows we ever had on any ship
+I've ever served on," he said, glancing at another face. "A new lad," he
+said, of a third, "but he joined on so recently that I know only that he
+was a brave young American!" And so on.
+
+It was just as the sailor was laying the cloth back over the features of
+the last one in the row that a seaman sprang into the room precipitately.
+
+"Beg pardon, sir," he called excitedly, "but telephone message, with
+compliments of executive officer, and commanding officer's presence is
+desired on the bridge--instantly!"
+
+That surely meant business!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+WHAT A FLOATING MINE DID
+
+
+AS Dave reached the deck he caught a fleeting glimpse of a big steamship
+ahead, which was revealed in the glare of the destroyer's searchlight.
+
+But he did not stop to linger there. Up to the damaged bridge he ran as
+fast as he could go.
+
+Evidently putting on her best effort at speed the steamship was moving
+forward fast in a zig-zagging course.
+
+"She was working her radio and blowing her whistle, all in the same
+moment, sir," Lieutenant Fernald explained. "She must have seen a torpedo
+that passed by her. There must be a submarine somewhere, but we haven't
+picked up a sign of it as yet."
+
+The ship was nearly two miles away. Having seen the destroyer's
+searchlight the big craft's whistle was again blowing.
+
+"Her master hardly expects to get away from the submarine," Dave
+observed, and instantly turned his night glass on the dark waters to try
+to pick up some sign of the Hun pirate craft that was causing all this
+excitement aboard a respectable neutral liner.
+
+"She's a Dutch craft," Dave commented. "Head in, Mr. Fernald, as that
+will give us a better chance to try to find out on which side of her the
+pest is operating. Ask her which side."
+
+Promptly the signal flashed out from the blinkers of the "Grigsby."
+Plainly the excited skipper of the liner hadn't thought of offering that
+important bit of information.
+
+"Starboard side, probably eight hundred yards away," came back the
+Dutchman's blinker response.
+
+Dave accordingly ordered the "Grigsby" laid over to starboard and raced
+on to place the Yankee ship between the pirate and the intended victim.
+
+Hardly had the course been altered, however, in the roughening sea, when
+a dull lurid flash some twelve or fifteen feet high was seen just under
+the liner's starboard bow. A cloud of smoke rose, the lower half of which
+was promptly washed out by a rising wave.
+
+"That was a mine, no torpedo!" cried Dave, his eyes snapping. "Full speed
+ahead, Mr. Fernald, and prepare to clear away our launches. That ship
+cannot float long!"
+
+Through the night glass it could be seen that throngs of passengers were
+rushing about the deck of the Dutch vessel. Ship's officers were trying
+to quell the panic that was quite natural, for the mine, if it were such
+a thing, had torn a huge hole in the bow, and the liner was settling by
+the head.
+
+Up raced the "Grigsby," the "Reed" arriving less than a minute afterward.
+Both destroyers had manned their launches, and these were now lowered and
+cleared away.
+
+Even though the passengers appeared to have lost their heads, the Dutch
+skipper proved true to his trust. He was lowering his own boats and rafts
+as rapidly as he could, and making swift work of getting human beings
+away from the stricken ship.
+
+Fully two-score passengers of either sex jumped. Striking the water they
+bobbed up again, for they had not neglected their life-belts.
+
+In the hurry one lifeboat was overturned just before it reached the
+water. The "Grigsby's" leading launch raced to the spot. Half a dozen
+jackies promptly dove over into the icy water to give a hand to
+passengers too frightened to realize the importance of getting quickly
+away from the sinking liner.
+
+"No more men go overboard," sternly ordered Ensign Andrews, as he saw
+more of his men moving to the side of the launch. "Stand by to haul the
+rescued aboard!"
+
+All care was needed, for the liner was a big one, and doomed soon to take
+her final plunge. The suction effect on small boats would be tremendous,
+if they were caught too close to the scene of the foundering.
+
+Lines were cast to jackies who were towing frightened passengers. Rescue
+moved along swiftly, the launches from both destroyers backing slowly
+away from the settling craft.
+
+"Here y'are, lady!" coaxed one seaman from the first launch, catching a
+line at twenty feet and placing it in the hands of a frightened woman
+whose teeth chattered and who was nearly dead from the cold that the icy
+water sent through to the marrow of her bones. "Think y' can hold on,
+lady? If y' can, I can go back and help some one else."
+
+The woman, though she spoke no English, guessed the meaning of the
+question, and shrieked with terror.
+
+"Oh, all right, ma'am," the sailor went on, in a tone of good-humored
+resignation. "I'll make sure of you, and hope that some one else won't
+drown."
+
+With one arm around her, the other hand holding tight to the rope the
+jacky allowed himself to be hauled in alongside the launch.
+
+"Take this lady in, quick!" ordered Jacky. "She's about all in with the
+cold."
+
+"Better come on board, too, Streeter," advised a petty officer on the
+launch.
+
+"Too much to be done," replied Seaman Streeter, shoving off and starting
+to swim back.
+
+"Your teeth are chattering now," called the petty officer, but Seaman
+Streeter, with lusty strokes, was heading for a hatless, white-haired old
+man whom he made out, under the searchlight glare, a hundred yards away.
+This man, too chilled to swim for himself, though buoyed up by a belt,
+Streeter brought in.
+
+"Come on board, Streeter," insisted the same petty officer.
+
+But surely that jacky was deaf, for he turned and once more struck out.
+By the time that the liner had been down four minutes, and the last
+visible and living person in the water had been rescued, Seaman Streeter
+had brought in six men and women, five of whom would surely have died of
+the cold had he not gone to their aid. And he had turned to swim back
+after a possible seventh.
+
+Nearly six hundred passengers and members of the sunken liner's crew had
+been saved. Of these the greatest sufferers were taken aboard the
+"Grigsby" and the "Reed" and the remainder were left in the boats, which
+were towed astern.
+
+Dave decided that the rescued ones should be landed at an English port
+twenty-two miles away. This port had rail communication and prompt,
+effective care could be given to these hundreds of people.
+
+As soon as the start had been made for port, roll-call was held of those
+who had put off in the launches. Seaman Streeter was not present, nor
+even accounted for. Promptly Darrin ordered the course changed and the
+two destroyers went back, making careful search under the searchlights of
+the surface of the sea near the scene of the foundering. No trace of the
+missing seaman was found.
+
+Seaman Streeter did not die in battle. He perished in the gentler but no
+less useful field of saving human life! An orphaned sister in Iowa, his
+only living near relative, gazes to-day at the appreciative letter she
+has received from the Navy Department at Washington. Then she turns to a
+longer and more glowing letter written by the, to her, strange hand of
+David Darrin, Lieutenant-Commander, United States Navy.
+
+In less than two hours the destroyers, with their respective strings of
+towed boats, arrived at the British port and the work of transferring the
+rescued to shore began. Dan's dead and wounded were also sent ashore.
+
+It was afterward reported that nine human beings were unaccounted for.
+Four more died in the boats on the way to land.
+
+While the transfers to shore were being made Dan Dalzell came aboard the
+"Grigsby" to greet his chum. They chatted while the damaged bridge was
+being repaired.
+
+"Danny-boy," Dave remarked seriously, "that exploding mine showed us
+clearly what is expected of us. It is our task to see that all these
+near-by waters are cleared of such dangerous objects."
+
+"Surely we cannot get every mine that the Huns plant," objected Dalzell.
+
+"We must get as many of them as we can. I know that all the British
+mine-sweepers are constantly on the job, but if necessary we must have
+more mine-sweepers. We must keep the paths of navigation better cleared
+than proved to be the case to-night."
+
+"Oh, say!" expostulated Dalzell, his eyes wide open, "we simply cannot,
+even with twice as many mine-sweepers, find every blooming mine that the
+Huns choose to sow in the Channel and North Sea."
+
+"To find and take up every mine should be our standard," Dave insisted,
+"and we must live as close to that standard as we possibly can."
+
+"Then we did wrong to go after the destroyers this night?" Dan demanded,
+curtly.
+
+"Of course not, for that bombardment of that defenseless little town,
+carried on longer, might have cost as many lives as are likely to be lost
+in the case of a steamship hitting a floating mine."
+
+"We can't do everything at the same time," Dan contended.
+
+"Then we must strive to do ninety-nine per cent. of everything," Darrin
+urged, his jaws set. "Danny-boy, I feel as badly as you do when a single
+innocent life is lost in the area that we are held responsible for."
+
+"How soon do you put for sea?" Dalzell asked.
+
+"As soon as our boats return and are hoisted on board."
+
+Darrin was as good as his word. Twenty-one minutes later, while dawn was
+still invisible, the two Yankee destroyers turned seaward again. There
+was more work, and sterner, for them to do, and it lurked just beyond!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+EYES THAT LOOKED DOWN FROM THE AIR
+
+
+DAWN found the two destroyers cruising slowly northward, a little more
+than a mile apart.
+
+Within sight of the bridges of the two craft were eight small, snub-nosed
+mine-sweepers. Frequently changing their course, these little craft were
+doing their utmost to pick up any mine that may have been planted just
+far enough under water to be struck below the water line by passing
+vessels.
+
+"I suppose we're of the few who have ever seen the flash of an exploding
+floating mine," Dave remarked to Lieutenant Fernald. "The sea was so
+rough and choppy, last night, that the mine, at the instant of impact,
+happened to be in the trough of the sea and partly above water."
+
+"Yes," nodded Fernald. "Had the waves been longer, the mine would have
+sunk to its usual depth. Had it not cost lives and a good ship, it would
+have been a sight worth seeing. As it was, since the lives and the ship
+had to be lost, I am glad that I was there to see it."
+
+It was broad daylight now. Red streaks off in the east indicated that the
+sun would soon appear. But from the southwest something of at least equal
+interest appeared in the sky.
+
+At the lookout's call Fernald turned to study the object in the sky
+through his glass.
+
+"It's an airship, a dirigible," announced the executive officer.
+
+"If an English dirigible, then it's all right," Dave nodded. "But, if it
+happens to be a German Zeppelin returning from a raid over England, then
+it will become our solemn duty to get the anti-aircraft gun in position
+and pray for a chance to take a fair shot."
+
+"It's a craft of the smaller English dirigible pattern," Fernald
+announced, still studying the distant speck in the sky, which, of course,
+looked much larger in the field of his glass. "Yes, it's an unmistakable
+'blimp'."
+
+This latter is the slang name given to the British dirigibles.
+
+"Better have the air-craft gun men at their station," advised Dave, and
+this was done.
+
+Ten minutes later, however, the "blimp" was so close at hand that there
+could be no mistaking its identity. It belonged, beyond a question, to
+one of the squadrons of the Royal Naval Air Service.
+
+"Radio message from the 'blimp,' sir," called a messenger, darting from
+the doorway of the wireless room. "Do you wish a written copy, sir?"
+
+Lieutenant Fernald glanced at Dave, who shook his head.
+
+"Let's have the message orally," Fernald called down to the deck.
+
+"'Blimp' wants to know, sir, if these two craft are the 'Grigsby' and
+'Reed.'"
+
+"Tell the operator to admit the fact," Fernald ordered.
+
+"Officer in charge of the 'blimp,' sir, says that he was to report and
+help you yesterday, but that the weather was too foggy."
+
+"Tell the operator to send back: 'Good morning. Glad to have you with us.
+Signature, Darrin,'" Dave directed.
+
+The seamen and petty officer at the anti-aircraft gun left their station.
+Straight onward came the "blimp," dropping much lower just as it passed
+over. From the car beneath the big gas-bag several men leaned over to
+wave friendly hands, a greeting that was instantly responded to by Dave's
+and Dan's jackies, for the dirigible, after sailing over the "Grigsby,"
+turned and floated over the "Reed."
+
+"Message from the 'blimp,' sir," again iterated the messenger on the
+deck. "Message says: 'We're to keep near you and try to spot submarines
+for you.'"
+
+"More power to your vision," was the message sent back by Dave.
+
+"You're working northward, toward the shoals?" asked "Blimp."
+
+"Yes," Darrin acknowledged.
+
+"That's a likely place to find one or two of the Hun pirates resting,"
+"Blimp" continued.
+
+"Always a good hunting ground," Dave assented, in a radio message.
+
+This took place while the dirigible was flying back and forth, ahead and
+astern, between the destroyers and to either side of their course.
+
+"It's a fine thing to be able to move at aircraft speed," said Lieutenant
+Fernald, rather enviously. "If we could only make such speed, sir!"
+
+"If we could build ships that would steam sixty to a hundred miles an
+hour, then the enemy could build them also," Dave returned. "There would
+be little, if any, net gain for us. But if we could find the secret of
+doubling the speed of aircraft, and keep said secret from the boches,
+that would be an achievement that would soon end the war."
+
+For ten miles the sweepers proceeded, with a total "catch" of only three
+mines, which must have been left-overs from other cruises. By this time
+the little fleet was approaching the nearest of the shoals, some three
+miles from shore.
+
+"Blimp" was now well ahead, presently signalling back.
+
+"Found a sea-hornet for you, resting in the mud."
+
+"Good enough! We'll draw his sting," the "Grigsby's" radio reply
+promised.
+
+Darrin caused a signal to be made to two of the mine-sweepers to come in
+close to him. The "Reed" still continued on her way further out.
+
+Aircraft are of the greatest help in discovering submerged submarines.
+Depending on the altitude at which they fly, air observers are able to
+see, in reasonably smooth water, submarines that are moving at from
+eighty to a hundred feet beneath the surface. A submarine that is
+"resting" with her nose in the mud close to shore has more to fear from
+aircraft than from all other possible foes.
+
+The aircraft men, though they can drop bombs upon such lurking craft,
+cannot do so with anything like the accuracy that is possible to the
+crews of vessels on the surface. Hence when aircraft and destroyers hunt
+together it is almost always left to the surface craft to give the "grace
+blow" to the resting submarine, as also to a submarine in motion beneath
+the waves.
+
+As the "blimp" moved over the shoal in question a smoke bomb left the car
+and hovered almost motionless in the air, though briefly. This indicated
+that the submarine lay on the bottom directly underneath the smoke bomb.
+
+"And the commander of that Hun craft knows that we are approaching,"
+Darrin commented, as the "Grigsby" raced roaringly forward. "He can hear
+the noise of our propellers. If his engines are ready, he'll likely back
+off into deeper water."
+
+Thrice more the "blimp" passed over the submarine that was invisible to
+surface eyes, and each time let loose a smoke bomb.
+
+"Now, you're directly in line," came the radio message from above. "Move
+dead ahead. Will tell you when you are passing over. We'll signal the
+word 'drop'."
+
+The meaning of "drop" would be clear enough. It would mean that the
+"Grigsby" was instantly to release, over the stern, a depth bomb.
+
+As the "Grigsby" neared the spot speed was considerably reduced. Overhead
+hovered the "blimp," ready for instant signalling of one word. The
+command had already been passed to the men stationed by the depth bomb to
+let go as soon as the messenger gave the word from the operator.
+
+As Darrin glanced upward he saw the "blimp" nearly overhead.
+
+Suddenly the messenger's startled voice roared out the message passed by
+the radio operator:
+
+"_Full speed astern!_"
+
+In the same instant Lieutenant Fernald repeated the order over the
+engine-room telegraph. There was a jolting jar as the "Grigsby"
+shivered, then glided back in her own wake.
+
+"Jove! That was a narrow squeak!" came down from the sky. "That hornet
+laid an egg in your path. It came within an ace of bumping your keel."
+
+"Never did speed pay a prompter profit, then," uttered Darrin, his cheeks
+paling slightly.
+
+For the Englishman's laconic message meant that the submarine had just
+proved herself to be of the mine-laying variety. Further, the Hun craft,
+hearing the destroyer's propellers almost overhead, had judged the moment
+at which to let loose a mine, which, rising to its proper level under
+water, would have struck the hull of the advancing destroyer.
+
+Had that happened, the career of the "Grigsby" would have been over, and
+several officers' and seamen's names would have been added to the war's
+list of dead.
+
+"Going to try again, sir?" asked Lieutenant Fernald, quietly, as Dave
+himself changed the full-speed-astern order.
+
+"It's out of our line, I guess," Darrin confessed, with a smile. "Signal
+yonder mine-sweeper to close in on the job."
+
+As a result of the message, and aided by the "blimp" overhead, the
+snub-nosed mine-sweeper steamed into position. First, her wire sweeper
+picked up the mine that had been sprung for the "Grigsby's" undoing, and
+backed away.
+
+Then, under Dave's further order, after the mine had been hoisted on
+board, the snub-nosed craft moved in with a different type of sweeper. To
+different wires of this implement were attached small but powerful
+contact bombs. Jauntily the snub-nosed craft moved over the lurking place
+of the submarine, and passed on ahead.
+
+From the depths came muffled sounds, followed by a big and growing spread
+of oil on the water.
+
+"Enemy done for!" signalled the "blimp."
+
+"Thank you, sir. We know it," the "Grigsby" wirelessed back.
+
+The mine-sweeper, having passed on ahead, now circled back, her crew
+grinning at sight of the mass of floating oil.
+
+The contact bombs dangling from the sweep wires had struck against the
+submarine's hull and exploded, letting in the water at several points.
+The Hun seamen were even now drowning, caught without a show for their
+lives, just as they had probably sent many souls to graves in the ocean.
+
+For some minutes more the dirigible moved back and forth through the air,
+her observers watching for the presence of hidden enemy craft. Then,
+without warning, came the message:
+
+"Sorry, but engine trouble threatens and will compel our return to land,
+and to our base if possible."
+
+"The best of luck to you," Dave ordered wirelessed back to these British
+comrades. "We'll stand by until we're as close to shore as we can go."
+
+For he knew that, near shore, the shoals became dangerous shallows at
+this point on the coast.
+
+Away limped the "blimp," the "Grigsby" following, and standing ready to
+do rescue work should the dirigible need assistance.
+
+But the "blimp" not only made her way over to shore, but vanished slowly
+in the distance.
+
+All of the mine-sweepers that had come up were ordered by signal to
+continue sweeping over the shoals.
+
+"I want to see more of this work personally," Dave told his executive
+officer, who was now to be left in command. "Clear away one of the power
+launches. I'll take Mr. Ormsby with me."
+
+So Dave was taken over to one of the mine-sweeping, snub-nosed craft that
+had formerly been a steam trawler on the Dogger Banks. The commanding
+officer, Hartley, proved most glad to welcome them.
+
+"We'll make you as comfortable as we can," promised Hartley.
+
+"Now, please don't do anything of the sort," Darry protested. "Let us be
+mere spectators, or pupils, and have no fuss made over us. Instruct your
+men, if you'll be good enough, to omit salutes and to chat with us, if
+they have a chance, like comrades or pals. We want to see your real
+working ways, not a demonstration."
+
+"All right, then," sighed Mr. Hartley, and passed the orders.
+
+"When do you men sleep?" Dave inquired of a sailor who paused to light a
+pipe as he stood well up in the bow.
+
+"When the blooming ship is hin dry-dock, sir," answered the British tar.
+
+"Don't you have regular watches?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"How long are the watches?"
+
+"Usually twenty-four hours in each day, sir."
+
+Darry laughed, for he knew no living man could stand working twenty-four
+hours a day for any length of time.
+
+"You were a trawler before you came into this branch of the service?"
+Ormsby asked.
+
+"No, sir. Hi was a chimney sweep; that's wot made me good for this bally
+old business, sir."
+
+"You like this work?" Ormsby next asked.
+
+"Yes, sir, hit's the next best thing to being killed, sir," was the
+solemn response.
+
+"Have you seen any mine-sweepers destroyed while at work?"
+
+Instantly the sailor dropped his bantering tone, his face becoming solemn
+in his expression.
+
+"You may well say that, sir," he answered. "More mine-sweepers are lost
+than any other kind of naval craft."
+
+"Why is that?"
+
+"Principally, sir, because we 'ave only a trawler's speed, and everything
+else that floats, including the National Debt, can overtake us."
+
+"Is there any scarcity of men for this sort of work?" Ormsby queried.
+
+"No, sir, it's the 'eight hof a British sailorman's ambition, sir, to die
+early and be buried, sir, in water a mile deep. We fairly long for hit,
+sir."
+
+"Hedgeby!" came, indignantly, from Mr. Hartley, who had approached
+unnoticed. "What do you mean by chaffing these American officers so
+outrageously."
+
+"Must 'ave mistook my horders, sir," returned Hedgeby, saluting his
+commander. "Some blooming bloke told as 'ow these gentlemen wanted to be
+treated like pals."
+
+"The fault is mine, I guess," admitted Mr. Hartley, turning to Darrin and
+Ormsby. "These men are always chaffing each other, and they thought you
+wanted some of the same thing."
+
+"We don't object," Dave smiled. "If hot air is the motive power that
+drives these men, then we want to sample it."
+
+Hedgeby regarded this last speaker with a puzzled expression.
+
+"If you're talking about fuel, sir," he went on, as Mr. Hartley moved
+away, "Hi'll say that 'ot air engines wouldn't be no good wotever on
+these 'ere craft. Gasoline is what we use, mostly, for our engines, sir,
+though some of the biggest use petroleum."
+
+"Hot air is furnished by the men themselves," Dave explained. "It's a
+favorite fuel at sea."
+
+"Maybe, sir, maybe," admitted Hedgeby, slowly, looking as solemn as an
+owl. "Of course you know, sir, wot's used on the Yankee boats, anyway,
+sir, and if your Admiralty recommends 'ot air then no doubt hit's because
+you Yankees know 'ow to use it better than other fuel."
+
+"And the joke of it is," muttered Ormsby, as Hedgeby sprang to obey an
+order, "one can't tell whether a chap like that is laughing at us, or
+trying to sympathize with our ignorance."
+
+Dave laughed, then soon forgot the chaffing, for he was greatly
+interested in what he saw of the work that was being carried on.
+Certainly, for such a comparatively slow craft, a large area of sea
+surface could be covered in a forenoon.
+
+Presently Hedgeby came back to them, and Ormsby tried once more to
+extract some real information.
+
+"With the amount of speed you can command," he resumed, "what does a
+craft like this do, Hedgeby, if a German destroyer comes racing along
+after you?"
+
+"We just shut off speed, sir, and the blooming destroyer goes by so fast
+that nine times hout of ten she doesn't see us at all."
+
+"But if the destroyer sees you and stops to engage, what then?"
+
+Once more the quizzical expression faded from the British sailorman's
+eyes. He stepped back, resting one hand on a light gun mounted on a
+swivel pedestal.
+
+"We do hour best with this piece, sir."
+
+"An unequal combat, Hedgeby!"
+
+"You may well say it, sir, but hat least we come hout of the fracas as
+well as does the submarine that our sweep locates on the bottom."
+
+"Have you known of any case in which a mine-sweeper had any show at all
+against a German destroyer?"
+
+"Yes, sir; this very craft was the boat, sir. The destroyer 'eld 'er fire
+and come hup close, sir, to 'ave fun teasing us. Only one shot we fired,
+sir, from our after gun, at the houtset, sir, but that one shot carried
+away the destroyer's rudder just below the water line. It was hall a
+piece of luck, sir."
+
+"And then?" pressed Ormsby, for at last Hedgeby seemed to be imparting
+real information.
+
+"Well, of course, sir, the 'Uns started hin at once to rig a jury rudder
+with timbers and canvas."
+
+"Yes?"
+
+"Naturally, sir, we didn't give 'em any time or chance we could 'elp,
+sir. We sailed round and round 'er, taking position so that we could play
+both guns on 'er at the same time. She couldn't steer, sir, to back 'er
+aim, that 'ere 'Un, so we banged away at 'er stacks and her water line
+until she was worse than 'elpless."
+
+"Did you sink her?"
+
+"No, sir. She was captured."
+
+"By whom?"
+
+"By two of 'is majesty's destroyers, sir, that came up. And maybe you
+think Hi'm joking, sir, w'en Hi tell you that the destroyers were
+credited with the capture because they made the 'Un strike 'is colors and
+take a prize crew."
+
+Subsequently Dave and Ormsby learned from Mr. Hartley that this account
+was a true one.
+
+"But we got a bit of credit in the public press," Hartley added,
+modestly.
+
+Right after that it was reported that one of the wire sweeps had located
+a bomb. Instantly several men were rushed to aid in landing the prize.
+Dave and Ormsby hurried to join the group and watch a mine being taken
+aboard.
+
+On account of its weight the deadly thing was handled by tackle.
+Carefully the men proceeded to hoist the mine aboard.
+
+"You'll note the little horns standing out from the top of the mine,"
+explained Mr. Hartley, pointing to the circular mine. "These horns are
+usually called studs. Hit one of these studs even a light blow with a
+tack hammer, gentlemen, and the mine would explode. A mine like this is
+more deadly than the biggest shell carried by a super-dreadnaught. Let
+this mine explode, for instance, under our hull forward, and it would
+tear us to pieces in a way that would leave us afloat for hardly sixty
+seconds. Moreover, it would kill any man standing at or near the rail
+over the point of contact."
+
+He had no more than finished speaking, while the mine was being hoisted
+aboard, than a terrified gasp escaped the workers.
+
+For the mine slipped from its tackle, and slipped back toward the water,
+striking the side hull in its downward course!
+
+Dave Darrin did not move. He knew there would not be time to escape!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+IN THE TEETH OF THE CHANNEL GALE
+
+
+SPLASH!
+
+The mine sank below the surface.
+
+A quick turn by the helmsman at the wheel, and the course changed
+violently on the instant.
+
+"No stud struck or scraped the side as the mine went down!" exclaimed Mr.
+Hartley, in a voice as cool as though he were discussing the weather.
+"That was what saved us."
+
+"That, and the presence of mind displayed by your man at the wheel," Dave
+calmly supplemented. "That quick turn of the wheel saved your hull under
+the water line from striking against the infernal thing."
+
+"I thought we were goners!" exclaimed Ormsby.
+
+"So did I," Dave nodded, "until I saw the thing sink and then realized
+how prompt the helmsman had been to act without orders."
+
+"The helmsman's act was almost routine," Hartley continued. "On a craft
+like this every man instinctively knows what should be done in any moment
+of escapable peril."
+
+Dave now withdrew the elbow which, up to now, he had leaned against the
+rail. He knew that he had been within a hair's breadth of instant death,
+but there was nothing in his bearing to betray the fact.
+
+Hartley quickly gave the order to put about.
+
+"Another try for that slippery customer, eh?" queried Ormsby.
+
+"I'd feel like a murderer, if I knowingly left that thing in the sea, to
+destroy some fine craft," declared Mr. Hartley, gravely. "Once we've
+located a mine we never leave it. We'll make the 'catch' again, but we'll
+inspect our tackle before we try to take it aboard. I think you gentlemen
+had better step back well out of the way."
+
+"Of course we will, sir, if we are really in the way," Darrin smiled.
+
+"You're not in our way," Hartley promptly denied. "But you will hardly
+care, should the tackle still be defective, to be loitering at the point
+of danger."
+
+"I want to see you repair the tackle," Dave replied. "Then I want to see
+you make the grapple again and bring the mine safely on board."
+
+"All right, gentlemen, if you love danger well enough to take the risk
+twice when you're only spectators," Hartley answered, with a shrug of his
+shoulders.
+
+Again the mine was caught, grappled, and this time successfully hoisted
+on board.
+
+All of this Darrin and his junior officer noted carefully, even giving a
+hand at the work.
+
+Through the day at least one of the mine-sweepers continued over this
+line of shoal, trying constantly with the sweeps. Farther out to sea
+Dalzell and the "Reed" accompanied others of the craft. By nightfall it
+was reported that more than sixty mines had been picked up.
+
+"The mine-layers must be actively at work in these waters," said Dave.
+"Undoubtedly they plant the mines at night, then toward daylight move in
+toward the shoal and hide there during the day. We'll try that shoal
+again after daylight to-morrow morning--weather permitting."
+
+This last Darrin said because there were now lurking indications of a
+coming storm. Dave returned to his own craft in time.
+
+By nine o'clock that night, or an hour after the new watch had gone on,
+the wind was howling through the rigging in a way that made conversation
+difficult on the bridge.
+
+"Mr. Fernald, at the rate the weather is thickening I shall be on the
+bridge all night. I shall be glad, therefore, if after your last rounds
+of the ship, and after you have turned in your report, you will seek your
+berth and get all the sleep you can until you're called."
+
+"Very good, sir," agreed the executive officer.
+
+He would have liked to stand watch in Darrin's place, but he knew that,
+with a gale coming, Darrin would not consent.
+
+By this time the destroyer was rolling at such an angle that the order
+was passed for the life-lines. Soon after that a second order was issued
+that all men on outside duty must don life-belts. Even up on the bridge,
+with an abundance of hand-holds, Dave and Ensign Andrews wore the belts.
+
+With a nearly head wind from the northeast the "Grigsby" labored in the
+running seas, spray dashing over the bridge and against the rubber coats
+and sou'westers of the two officers. Below, on the deck, the water was
+sometimes several inches deep, gorging the scuppers in its flow
+overboard. Officers and men alike wore rubber boots.
+
+"All secure, sir," reported Lieutenant Fernald, returning after his last
+rounds. "A nasty time you'll have of it, sir, to-night."
+
+"Like some other times that I've known since I took to the sea," Dave
+shouted back through the gale.
+
+Wild, indeed, was the night, yet the stars remained visible. The wind had
+increased still more by eight bells (midnight), when the watch again
+changed.
+
+"Is the weather bad enough for you to have to remain here, sir?" asked
+Ensign Ormsby, respectfully.
+
+"Yes," Darrin nodded. "I am charged with the safety of this craft."
+
+Having gone the limit of her northerly patrol, the "Grigsby" had now
+headed about, dipping and lunging ahead of the wind and rolling as though
+the narrow craft would like nothing better than to turn turtle.
+
+Owing to the fact that neither craft carried lights in these dangerous
+waters Dalzell had pulled far off. At this moment Danny Grin and the
+"Reed" were four miles nearer the mainland of Europe than the "Grigsby"
+was.
+
+After an especially heady plunge, followed by some wild rolling from side
+to side, Dave shouted in his watch officer's ear:
+
+"Ormsby, I'm going to make the round of the deck, to make sure that the
+life lines are all up and secure."
+
+The ensign nodded. He would have preferred to go himself, but his place
+as watch officer was on the bridge.
+
+As Dave went down the steps from the bridge a seaman on watch sprang to
+seize his arm and steady him.
+
+"I've my sea-legs on," Darrin smiled at the sailor.
+
+Then, holding the brim of his sou'-wester down before his face, the
+other hand on a life-line, Darrin cautiously made his way aft. The lines
+along the starboard side were secure.
+
+At the stern stood two men, gripping the sturdy lines with both hands.
+Here the decks were flooded with seas coming over constantly.
+
+Dave stood with the men for a few minutes, observing the combers that
+rolled against the stern, the tops breaking over the side.
+
+"I'll have the stern watch changed every hour," he shouted at the seamen
+above the gale. "It's too wet to stand a full trick here. Remember, on
+coming off, or just before going on, to go to the galley and get your
+coffee."
+
+"Thank you, sir," replied one of the men, touching the brim of his
+headgear.
+
+Dave released the sternmost life-line to take a quick, oblique step
+toward the port lines. At that very instant a huge comber climbed aboard
+over the stern, the great bulk of water lifting Dave as though he were
+but a chip.
+
+As he struggled for his footing he had a brief glimpse of one of the
+sailors battling toward him. Then a continuation of the wave carried him
+obliquely forward, lifting him clear of the port rail at the quarter and
+driving him over into the sea.
+
+Instantly a hoarse yell rose and was repeated: "Commanding officer
+overboard astern, sir!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+IN THE HOUR OF DESPAIR
+
+
+DAVE did not hear the wild, hoarse alarm. A mass of water pounded in his
+ears. He felt himself going down as though headed for the bottom of the
+sea.
+
+During what seemed an interminable interval Darrin kept his mouth tightly
+shut. He did not struggle to rise to the surface, for he knew that as
+soon as the driving force of the water over him had expended itself his
+belt would carry him up to air.
+
+And so it did. As Darrin shook the spray from his eyes he made out the
+"Grigsby" only as a dark mass far ahead. Then a wave blotted her out.
+When next he looked he saw nothing. The third time he made out a still
+more indistinct mass, which, he judged, was turning to come back and look
+for him.
+
+"Steady, boy!" he urged himself. "The outfit aboard that craft will make
+every possible effort to find me. Ah, I knew it!"
+
+For now the ray of the searchlight streamed out, trying to pierce the
+murkiness of the night.
+
+[Illustration: "Commanding officer overboard!"]
+
+By the shifting of the ray, too, he saw that the "Grigsby" was putting
+about.
+
+"They'll pick me up soon with that light," he told himself.
+
+He did not permit himself to reflect that, if the startled officers and
+men on the destroyer located him it would be by the sheerest good luck. A
+human head rolling among waves on a black night is a difficult object to
+pick up with the searchlight.
+
+Dave now struck out enough to keep his face turned toward the light. He
+did not attempt to swim toward the destroyer. That long, narrow craft
+circled about, bringing a second searchlight to bear.
+
+Then Dave saw the blinkers at the foremast head gleam out dully. He even
+read the signal:
+
+"Lieutenant Commander Darrin overboard. Not yet located."
+
+"That's for Dalzell's benefit," Dave told himself. "Poor old Danny-boy
+will be wild, and will come steaming over here at full speed.
+But--confound it! The 'Grigsby' is circling farther south. Evidently
+Fernald thinks he came back too far on his wake."
+
+Farther and farther south went the destroyer, still sweeping the sea with
+her two searchlights.
+
+Then Dave beheld, after minutes, another searchlight beam crossing the
+others, and knew that Dan Dalzell, aboard the "Reed," was making anxious
+quest for his floating chum.
+
+Both craft, after the "Reed" had once come within a quarter of a mile,
+began operating further away. There was nothing on the black, roaring
+waters by which to locate the spot where the "Grigsby" had been when her
+commander was hurled overboard.
+
+Twenty minutes passed after the "Reed" had come up. There was more
+talking with the blinkers between the two craft. The destroyers moved in
+ever widening, and then contracting, circles, but not once did either
+come near enough to pick up a glimpse of that one face that held
+occasionally above the rolling waves.
+
+After an hour of searching there was a sorrowful conference between the
+officers directing the signals on the two destroyers. They decided that
+every possible effort had been made, and that Lieutenant Commander Darrin
+was surely lost.
+
+Indeed, at about that time Dave, though he was too far away and dashed
+with too much spray to read the signals, had about given up hope.
+
+Chilled to the bone by the icy waters, he had at first striven to keep
+himself warm by such exercise as he could apply. But now he was
+weakening.
+
+Had it not been for the unusual vigor of his constitution he would have
+been dead by this time. It was now only a question of a little more time
+when he must freeze to death.
+
+"All right, Davy-boy," he reflected, almost drowsily. "While you were
+alive you managed to do a few things! But poor Belle! I hope this isn't
+going to upset her too much!"
+
+Even the thought of his loved young wife did not stir him much, which
+showed, indeed, that Darrin was near the end of his vital resources and
+that he must soon give up his struggle.
+
+After a while the instinct of desperation seized him. With a last
+summoning of his strength he began fighting for his life.
+
+"I won't freeze!" he cried, between grinding teeth. "I can keep moving a
+good while yet. I won't allow myself to die here. That would be no better
+than suicide!"
+
+For a few minutes more he continued to use arms and feet in a determined
+effort to warm his blood against the numbing cold.
+
+"Ha, here comes one of the destroyers, right now," Dave laughed,
+hysterically, as a form loomed up in the night and came toward him.
+
+Indeed, that dark mass, which presently resolved itself into the hull of
+a steamship battling with the gale, seemed bent on running him down.
+
+Nearer and nearer it came. Dave tried to shout, but found his voice too
+weak to be heard above the roar of wind and wave. Though he fought
+desperately to get out of the course of the oncoming hull, the rolling
+waters washed him back.
+
+His efforts, however, had availed him somewhat, for, though he was so
+close that he could almost touch the hull as the bow passed him, Darrin
+felt that he could avoid being run down by the ship.
+
+He tried to shout again, but only hoarse noises came from his throat.
+Then something splashed close to him as it struck the water. A wave
+washed Darrin against a rope. With all the force left in his hands he
+twined his fingers around the strands.
+
+Then, though Dave did not see it, a face peered over the rail above.
+There came a tug at the rope, but Dave would not let go. He found himself
+being dragged slowly along with the hull of this craft that was battling
+a head wind.
+
+When the man above found that he could not haul up the rope he peered
+down at the water, then set up a yell in some strange jargon.
+
+An instant later a second face appeared behind the first. The bright
+gleam of a pocket flash-lamp cut the blackness to the water. There was a
+second exclamation, quickly followed by a command.
+
+A third man joined the other two at the rail. Dave blinked upward at the
+pocket flash-lamp. He saw something descending, heard a faint whish
+above the noise of the gale, and felt a noose drop down over his head and
+shoulders.
+
+Just how he did it Darrin cannot remember, even now, but he managed to
+slip that noose first under one arm pit, then the other, all the time
+keeping a desperate hold of the trailing rope.
+
+A pull from above, then a dull throb of hope sent the blood through
+Darrin's frame as he felt the noose gather tightly under his arms.
+Slowly, his body bumping against the rolling hull, he felt himself moving
+upward.
+
+Ready hands seized and hauled him in over the rail. At that instant
+Dave's senses forsook him. He collapsed on the deck, a limp, huddled,
+drenched human form.
+
+Nor could he judge how much later it was when he opened his eyes again.
+But cold? Not a bit of it! He felt as though he were in a furnace room.
+Stripped, he lay in a berth, two stalwart sailors rubbing him under the
+direction of a third person, while a fourth was slowly forcing a hot
+drink down his throat. It was a strangling cough, on account of some of
+the fluid entering his wind-pipe, that had brought him back to
+consciousness.
+
+Opening his eyes, Dave lay quietly, enjoying the warmth after his bitter
+experience. He noticed that the sailors who were rubbing him were
+dripping with perspiration. Indeed, they had a right to drip, for the
+steam in this little cabin had been turned on through two separate
+services.
+
+Dave tried to speak, but all he could say was:
+
+"Ugh!"
+
+"Good! You don't feel chilled, now?" questioned the man who held the hot
+drink to his lips.
+
+"Gracious, no!" Darrin whispered, hoarsely. "I'm roasting."
+
+The man spoke to the sailors, who stopped their rubbing and spread a few
+thicknesses of blanket over him.
+
+Dave's next realization was that this unknown craft did not roll so
+heavily as might be expected. He reasoned that the ship must be a
+freighter of broad beam.
+
+Languor was stealing over him as the questioner asked:
+
+"How do you feel?"
+
+"Like having a big sleep," Dave whispered drowsily. His eyes closed and
+he dozed even before he could think to wonder if his brother officers on
+the "Grigsby" and "Reed" knew that he was all right.
+
+Putting down the cup of hot drink, the man who had done the talking
+dismissed the three others, seated himself on the edge of the berth and
+placed a finger on one of Dave's unresisting wrists.
+
+The same man was there, seated on a locker and smoking a pipe, when Dave
+Darrin again opened his eyes.
+
+This time Dave sat up rather nimbly, then turned, supporting his head on
+one hand.
+
+"Hullo, there!" Dave hailed, cheerily.
+
+"Getting your strength back, aren't you?" queried the stranger.
+
+"Yes, sir! But tell me. Is this the same night I was picked up and
+introduced on board, so to speak?"
+
+"The same night."
+
+"About how many hours ago?"
+
+"Five, I guess."
+
+"Then it must be near daylight."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Any American destroyers sighted hereabouts, do you know?"
+
+"Not at last accounts. We have been keeping a lookout, too, for your
+uniform proclaimed you to be a Yankee naval officer."
+
+"What ship is this?"
+
+"The 'Rigsdak.'"
+
+"Norwegian?" Dave inquired.
+
+"Danish freighter, homebound from Hartlepool."
+
+"And you're the ship's doctor?"
+
+"Yes. Unless we meet one of your own country's ships you'll be ashore in
+Denmark before noon today. But the sea is so rough that I do not believe
+we could transfer you, even if we met one of your own craft."
+
+"Denmark isn't such a bad country," Dave laughed, pleasantly. "I've been
+there. And you're mighty quick people. It didn't take you long to rope
+and haul me on board."
+
+"Because our second officer had a man in his watch who used to be a
+cowboy in your country, and he can handle a lariat well. Travelling
+through these dangerous waters we always carry a line forward with a
+noose at one end. You're the third man we've roped out of the water in
+six months."
+
+"But what was that first line that was thrown overboard--I mean the one I
+grabbed and held on to?"
+
+"There was a bucket at the end of that rope," the ship's surgeon informed
+Dave. "The deck-hose is out of order, and a sailor threw the bucket over
+to haul up water with which to wash down the passageway."
+
+"I'm thankful he made the cast just at that instant," Dave murmured.
+
+"Providence must have directed the cast," replied the doctor. "And it
+wasn't your time to die."
+
+"I've no right to die, if I can possibly prevent it!" Dave rejoined
+warmly. "I'm only a small-fry officer, to be sure, but even at that I'm
+needed, like every other trained American officer, until Germany has
+been taught the great lesson of law and morality."
+
+"Amen to that!" agreed the doctor, fervently.
+
+"You're not pro-German, then, like so many of your countrymen?" Dave
+asked, with a smile.
+
+"There are few of us who are pro-German in Denmark," replied the ship's
+surgeon. "Though, until your Entente allies can protect us against
+powerful Germany's wrath it is not prudent for us to be too outspoken in
+favor of England, France and America."
+
+"From your accent you've been in our country?" Dave hinted.
+
+"I took my degree in an American medical school, but I am a Dane. And
+now, sir, your name?"
+
+"David Darrin, lieutenant-commander, United States Navy."
+
+"And I am Dr. Valpak. And now, Mr. Darrin, I advise that you rest your
+mind, eat what I am going to order sent here, and then take another nap."
+
+Dave gladly ate of the sea biscuit and soup that were brought to him,
+after which Dr. Valpak felt his pulse, administered a drink of something
+with an unfamiliar taste, then uttered the professional command:
+
+"Sleep!"
+
+Dr. Valpak closed the door from outside. Dave closed his eyes, and
+enjoyed the luxury of another nap.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+DAVE MEETS THE FATE OF THE SEA
+
+
+IT was almost nine o'clock in the morning when Darrin awoke. He at once
+realized how refreshed he was. His had been a close call, but fortunate
+accident and his own strong body had pulled him through.
+
+There on the floor were his rubber boots, on the locker his
+underclothing, while on knobs against the cabin wall hung the garments
+that comprised his uniform.
+
+Rising, Dave was delighted to find himself still strong. Without ado he
+drew off and tossed across the berth the coarse nightgown that some one
+had put on him. Then he began to dress.
+
+Everything was dry--indeed, laundered. These new Danes of the sea knew
+how to be hospitable. So Darrin dressed, and, when he rang for hot water,
+a steward appeared with the ship's barber, who aided in Darrin's toilet.
+Before this had been finished Dr. Valpak thrust his head in to inquire:
+
+"Do I intrude?"
+
+"Only as a personage from the pages of 'Arabian Nights,' Doctor," Darrin
+laughed. "Come in."
+
+Not only did the doctor come in, but soon, also, a waiter, who set up a
+small table made fast to the wall, and on it spread such a breakfast as
+made Dave's heart rejoice.
+
+Wind and sea had abated much. The broad "Rigsdak" now rode the water with
+comparatively little roll. Dave sat down to enjoy his breakfast, and Dr.
+Valpak soon withdrew.
+
+Just after the finish of the meal the surgeon returned, bringing with him
+this time the ship's master, one Kennor, who spoke with a strong accent.
+Dave expressed his thanks for the fine care that had been given him.
+
+"And you muss der mate meet," declared Captain Kennor, beaming. "He it
+vass who show der light in your face, und den der noose was over you
+drop."
+
+So presently Dave followed these new friends to the deck, where he was
+introduced to the mate. He also, through Dr. Valpak, thanked the sailor
+who had cast the bucket-line overboard. The seaman who had dropped the
+noose around him spoke English fluently. Dave shook hands with both
+sailors. He then followed Captain Kennor and the mate to the bridge.
+
+"You carry only freight?" Dave asked.
+
+"Somedimes passengers," replied Captain Kennor. "Two we have dis time. An
+English lawyer und hiss young vife."
+
+The pair just mentioned were seen walking on the spar deck forward. The
+man was well past middle age, of fine, rather sharp features and with
+thick gray hair. The woman did not appear to be above the age of
+twenty-five.
+
+Captain Kennor escorted Dave down and introduced him to Mr. and Mrs.
+Caleb Launce.
+
+"One doesn't often hear a story like that of your rescue," said Mr.
+Launce.
+
+"It would have killed you, had you been an ordinary man," shivered Mrs.
+Launce.
+
+"Thank you for the inference," Darrin laughed.
+
+"But I have met several of your American naval officers," Mrs. Launce
+continued. "You are splendidly big, enduring men."
+
+"Again I must thank you."
+
+"A man accustomed to indoor life could not have lived half as long as you
+did before you were picked up," added the lawyer.
+
+"Do you feel your full strength yet?" asked his wife.
+
+"Not--quite, I'll admit," Dave answered.
+
+"Then it will be well if you find a seat, inside, too, I should think,"
+continued the Englishwoman. "Shall we all go inside? The air is cold out
+here."
+
+Truth to tell, though he was not by any means in a fainting condition,
+Dave Darrin did feel that a seat inside, where it was warm, would be much
+to his liking.
+
+So Captain Kennor led them to a small dining cabin, where the white
+cloths had been removed from the tables and homely red ones substituted.
+
+"Dr. Valpak told me you expected to make port by noon," said Dave.
+
+"Dot vass der hope, but last night's vinds held us back more dan ve
+knew," replied Captain Kennor. "Id vill be two dis afternoon before ve
+make--"
+
+He was interrupted by a shattering jar that made the ship stagger. It was
+accompanied by a crashing explosion.
+
+Uttering a cry of fright Mrs. Launce sprang to her feet.
+
+"Can that be--" she began.
+
+"Yes, madam, a torpedo," Dave replied, rising more slowly. "It was
+evidently a hard hit, but this twenty-eight-hundred-ton ship should
+remain afloat at least half an hour, unless another torpedo be launched.
+There is plenty of time. Will you permit me?"
+
+There were life-belts at hand. Dave quickly and deftly fastened Mrs.
+Launce's life-belt about her, then performed a similar office for her
+husband. This done he went to his recent cabin, where he donned his own
+belt and stepped out on the deck, joining his fellow passengers.
+
+Struck on the port side, just forward of her boilers, the "Rigsdak" was
+already listing considerably to that side.
+
+"The captain and the first officer are below," hailed Dr. Valpak. "They
+will examine the ship's injuries and decide. It may not be necessary to
+abandon ship."
+
+Mrs. Launce turned to Darrin, who had just turned back from the port
+rail. She looked at him so imperatively that he nodded and replied:
+
+"We shall have to take to the boats. This ship is not going to float. Her
+pumps will not save her, for the hole in the side is beyond temporary
+repairs."
+
+Within two or three minutes Captain Kennor and his mate appeared,
+confirming Dave's verdict.
+
+Darrin had already looked out over the sea, but he had been unable to
+make out any sign of the presence of a submarine.
+
+"Could it have been a mine?" demanded Mr. Launce.
+
+"No, sir," Dave answered, promptly. "Had we struck a mine the explosion
+would have been much more violent."
+
+"Then a torpedo provides sufficient experience of this sort of thing,"
+cried Mrs. Launce, making a face.
+
+"Der passengers vill my boat go in!" called Captain Kennor. "Dere vill
+time be."
+
+Again Mrs. Launce glanced inquiringly at Darrin, who nodded his
+confirmation.
+
+Three boats were cleared away, carrying most of the crew and all the
+officers except the master. The boats were safely launched, and
+fortunately the sea was not too rough for them.
+
+Then Captain Kennor appeared, carrying a bag and his navigating
+instruments.
+
+"Are your ship's papers and instruments intended for the Germans, sir?"
+Dave inquired, significantly.
+
+"No; you be right," admitted Captain Kennor, opening his eyes wide, after
+a brief moment's thought.
+
+Going to the rail he tossed bag and instruments over into the sea.
+
+Then the last boat was lowered, the seamen who remained behind jumping as
+soon as their work was completed, and being picked up from the water.
+
+"Ve shall but a few hours of rowing haff," declared Captain Kennor. "It
+vill not so hard be upon uss."
+
+Dave was thinking of another prospect, but did not voice his thought. The
+men in the captain's boat gave way at the oars, Kennor steering. The
+other boats had already pulled well clear of the coming foundering, and
+now the captain's boat followed. The "Rigsdak" was likely to remain
+afloat for some minutes yet.
+
+"I thought so," muttered Darrin, pointing to where a gray conning tower
+was emerging from the sea.
+
+Captain Kennor gave an order in his native tongue, and the men in his
+boat ceased rowing.
+
+"Dey vill uss hail, so ve need not be too far avay," he explained to his
+passengers.
+
+After the conning tower the gray back of the sea pest rose into view. The
+manhole of the tower was opened and an officer appeared, followed to the
+deck by a few seamen, two of whom stationed themselves by a gun that
+popped up into view.
+
+"Come alongside!" shouted the officer, in English, through a megaphone.
+
+Again Captain Kennor's oarsmen gave way, their skipper heading for the
+submarine.
+
+"That will do. Cease rowing," commanded the German officer. "What ship is
+that yonder?"
+
+"Der Danish freighter, 'Rigsdak,'" replied Captain Kennor.
+
+"And its master?"
+
+"Dat iss me."
+
+"Come aboard."
+
+At the order Dave, who had quietly loosened his belt and holster
+containing his automatic revolver, quickly dropped them overboard on the
+side farthest from the German craft.
+
+There was sufficient sea running to make the task of getting close
+alongside a difficult one. A German sailor reached out to catch Kennor's
+arm and aid him aboard the submarine.
+
+"And your instruments and papers," ordered the German officer, sharply.
+
+"I did not dem with me bring," replied Kennor.
+
+"Perhaps that will be so much the worse for you," was the scowling reply.
+"We want the papers, and we have need, especially, of ship's
+instruments."
+
+The German eyed Dave Darrin curiously. The American officer's uniform was
+concealed under his sou'-wester, rubber coat and boots, but after a
+moment's inspection, the German said curtly:
+
+"You, too, will come aboard."
+
+As refusal would have been absurd under the circumstances Darrin promptly
+obeyed. Instantly the German officer snatched a fold of Darrin's rubber
+coat, pulling it aside and thus revealing a glimpse of the uniform
+beneath.
+
+"Take off that rubber coat!" the Hun ordered, brusquely.
+
+Flushing slightly, Dave obeyed, his uniform now being fully revealed.
+
+"Ha!" snarled the Hun. "I suspected something of the sort. You two will
+go down through the manhole. And this man and woman are passengers? They
+will come aboard."
+
+Captain Kennor led the way below, Mr. and Mrs. Launce following. Dave, as
+he reached the manhole, turned to see the "Rigsdak" vanish beneath the
+waters.
+
+Then Dave Darrin stepped inside the conning tower and began to descend
+the ladder--a German prisoner at last!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THREATS TO A PRISONER
+
+
+AS for the seamen in the boat, the officer, after a scowling stare in
+their direction, ordered them also on board, where he had them lined up
+forward.
+
+"Take off those life-belts," he ordered, still in English, and a seaman
+who understood interpreted to his fellow-Danes.
+
+Off came the life-belts, which were dropped to the deck. German sailors
+then kicked them all overboard.
+
+Now the submarine began to move slowly. A shot was fired from the forward
+gun into the lifeboat, wrecking and sinking her. This done, the German
+seamen followed their officer in through the manhole, which was closed.
+
+For at least two miles the submarine moved along on the surface, then,
+slowly, began to submerge. One of the Danish sailors on deck set up a
+howl of fright when he found his shoes six inches under water. The cry
+was taken up by the other sailors with him.
+
+The water rose to their knees--higher. The conning tower settled down
+into the sea, and the wretched sailors of the captain's boat were left
+floundering in the water, without life-belts or anything buoyant to keep
+them afloat.
+
+The last vestige of the submarine vanished, leaving more than a dozen
+despairing men to flounder and to die, for the "Rigsdak's" other boats
+were now too far distant to see what had happened.
+
+Going below, Dave and his friends from the "Rigsdak" were conducted into
+a tiny wardroom behind the mess table at which sat a frowning, leering
+German ober-lieutenant.
+
+"A ship's master who did not like us well enough to bring his papers and
+his instruments," barked this commanding officer of the sea-hornet. "An
+Englishman and his young wife, eh? But we have here--?"
+
+"An American naval officer," replied the younger German officer.
+
+For some reason the ober-lieutenant's manner changed. He looked Dave over
+curiously, but without the same ferocity.
+
+"Be good enough to be seated," he said, with a wave of the hand toward a
+chair. "Let these swine stand!"
+
+But Dave chose to remain on his feet. Again the ober-lieutenant turned to
+him, though with comparative courtesy.
+
+"I offered you a seat, sir. I trust you will avail yourself of the
+invitation."
+
+"I cannot seat myself, sir," Darrin answered, stiffly, "while a lady is
+forced to stand."
+
+"Then the woman will have a seat too," replied the ober-lieutenant, with
+a contemptuous glance in Mrs. Launce's direction. But that young
+Englishwoman met his look of contempt with a glance that beat the German
+at his own game, and remained on her feet.
+
+"Oh, very well," said the German commander, carelessly. "Now, I will
+enter in my log the name and other particulars concerning the master of
+the 'Rigsdak.'"
+
+Captain Kennor accordingly supplied the particulars, which were written
+down.
+
+"The English cattle next!" ordered the ober-lieutenant, gruffly.
+
+Mr. Launce therefore stated the names, ages and residence of himself and
+wife.
+
+"Your reason for travelling?" rasped the German commander, looking up
+from his record.
+
+"Health," replied the Englishman, stiffly.
+
+"Whose?"--sneeringly.
+
+"Mine."
+
+"You do not look ill."
+
+"That cannot be helped," replied Mr. Launce, as stiffly as ever.
+
+"You must have passports, since you are travelling," suggested the
+ober-lieutenant.
+
+"Yes; we have," admitted Mr. Launce.
+
+"Turn them over to me."
+
+Receiving the documents in question, the German commander looked them
+over carefully. Without comment, he handed them to a younger officer, who
+left the room with them, but soon returned.
+
+"Take these people away," ordered the ober-lieutenant. "And see that you
+obey all orders without question," he added, to Kennor and the English
+couple.
+
+When they had been left alone the ober-lieutenant rose to his feet,
+holding out his hand to Darrin though a bit stiffly.
+
+"We are brothers in arms, it seems, though just now we are enemies," said
+the German.
+
+"We are enemies, yes," Dave admitted, ignoring the outstretched hand. At
+this the German flushed, allowing his proffered hand to fall.
+
+"You shall have all permissible courtesy while you are my prisoner, and I
+trust you will show the same," said the ober-lieutenant.
+
+"I bespeak no courtesy, sir," Dave replied coolly, though without direct
+affront. "I quite understand that I am a prisoner of war, and, as I
+cannot help the fact, I will not resent it. You are going to confine me,
+I take it?"
+
+"No," said the ober-lieutenant, again seating himself and picking up his
+pen. "You will be given quarters, and allowed some freedom as long as you
+do not forfeit it. You may even eat at table with us."
+
+"Thank you," said Darrin, bowing stiffly.
+
+"I have not yet entered your name. Be good enough to supply me with it."
+
+"David Darrin."
+
+"Rank?"
+
+"Lieutenant commander."
+
+"Yankee Navy?"
+
+"United States Navy, sir."
+
+"Present detail?"
+
+"Commanding officer of a torpedo boat destroyer."
+
+"Her name?" demanded the ober-lieutenant, writing.
+
+"I decline to state."
+
+"Name of the destroyer?" insisted the German.
+
+"You heard my answer to that," Darrin returned, his lips tightening. "I
+refuse to reveal the name of the destroyer."
+
+"Her present station?"
+
+"I decline to answer."
+
+"Your reason for being away from your craft and being aboard the
+'Rigsdak'?" queried the German, glancing up.
+
+"I was washed overboard in a gale, and rescued by the crew of the
+'Rigsdak'," Dave answered, truthfully, without going into details.
+
+"Were you washed overboard from the craft of which you are commanding
+officer?" pressed the German.
+
+"Again I must decline to answer."
+
+"Oh, very good," said the ober-lieutenant, carelessly. "I shall find that
+out presently."
+
+Then, as he scanned the information he had written down, the German
+asked:
+
+"Darrin? Darrin? Where have I heard that name before?"
+
+Picking up another book from the table, the ober-lieutenant turned
+rapidly through some indexed pages. Suddenly a gleam came into his eyes.
+
+"Ah, here I have it. Darrin, David. Responsible for the capture and
+recognition of Ober-Lieutenant von Bechtold. Witness against von
+Bechtold, who was executed in England as a spy. Ha! So you are the
+Darrin, eh?"
+
+"I may be," half-assented Dave, feeling the other's burning gaze.
+
+"Then I am glad to have you here, Lieutenant-Commander Darrin!" cried the
+German officer, "but I am afraid things will go badly indeed with you
+when you arrive in Germany!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+LIKE THE FRENCH AND ENGLISH
+
+
+"INDEED?" asked Dave, raising his eyebrows slightly.
+
+"You cannot expect that the people of the Fatherland will feel any great
+kindness toward you," pursued the ober-lieutenant.
+
+"Why should they dislike me?"
+
+"Because you brought about the death of von Bechtold, and he was an
+officer most valuable to our government."
+
+"If you caught an American spy in Germany would you arrest him?"
+
+"Assuredly," admitted the German officer.
+
+"And do your best to prove your charge against him and have him
+executed."
+
+"Again, assuredly."
+
+"That was what I did, in the case of von Bechtold."
+
+"Bah, you are like the French and English!" snapped the ober-lieutenant.
+"You can never get it through your heads that a German is more important
+than one of your kinds of people."
+
+"No," Dave agreed, "I am afraid that we cannot appreciate that fact, or
+even admit it to be a fact."
+
+"And now, before you leave me," broke in the German officer, quickly,
+"tell me the name of your destroyer and the station on which you last
+served."
+
+Dave smiled, but did not answer in words. The ober-lieutenant regarded
+him frowningly.
+
+"Oh, very good," said the German, at last. "There are those in Germany
+who know how and possess the means to make you talk. Your record shall be
+completed there. And now--!"
+
+Going to the wardroom door the ober-lieutenant called:
+
+"Lieutenant von Schellen!"
+
+The same younger officer came to the door.
+
+"Be good enough to show Lieutenant Commander Darrin to his quarters and
+extend to him any courtesies that you properly may. It is not fitting
+that a man of his rank should have to receive orders from a seaman."
+
+"This way," directed von Schellen, briefly. He led the way down the
+narrow passage to a curtained doorway.
+
+"In here you will find your home until we reach Germany," said von
+Schellen. "If you wish exercise you may leave your sleeping cabin and
+walk back and forth in this passage-way. If the ober-lieutenant should
+decide to be gracious enough to invite you to the wardroom, then you will
+also have the freedom of that room--at meal hours only. You will not go
+to any other part of this craft."
+
+With a curt nod the young lieutenant left Dave. Perhaps von Schellen had
+done his best to be courteous.
+
+Pulling back the curtain Dave looked in. It was a stuffy little place,
+just long enough to hold two berths, one above the other, against the
+outer shell of the submarine. In the upper berth Captain Kennor lay at
+full length, a hand over his eyes.
+
+"We are cabin-mates, then?" Dave asked, gently.
+
+"Yes, so I been told," the Dane answered gloomily.
+
+"And you in the upper berth? Why did you not take the lower one? It is
+more comfortable."
+
+"I vould no so presume!" protested the Dane. "Not wid a man of your
+rank."
+
+"I haven't rank enough in our naval service to feel conceited about it,"
+Darry smiled, "and you are considerably older than I. Any difference
+there may be in comfort is your due. Will you kindly exchange?"
+
+Not without some difficulty did Dave succeed in inducing Captain Kennor
+to change to the lower, broader berth of the two. Dave, after removing
+his boots and some of his clothing, climbed to the upper berth, spreading
+a blanket over himself and lying down, for he felt that rest was
+absolutely needed.
+
+At the noon-meal hour the ober-lieutenant sent an orderly to invite
+Darrin to the table, though the same invitation was not to be extended to
+Captain Kennor, who would be expected to eat with the German petty
+officers. But, as Dave and Captain Kennor were asleep at the time, the
+orderly departed without waking them.
+
+It was past the middle of the afternoon when Dave Darrin at last awoke
+sufficiently to decide upon rising. Getting to the floor, and noting that
+Captain Kennor was still asleep, Dave dressed almost by stealth.
+
+While he was still so engaged there came a slight knock at the door. A
+German petty officer looked in.
+
+"The ober-lieutenant sends his compliments," announced the fellow, in
+English. "He will be pleased to have you join him. I will lead the way."
+
+Dave followed, down the passage and out into the main cabin. There, at a
+table under the conning tower, sat the ober-lieutenant and the same
+younger officer.
+
+"We will raise the periscope and show you what we are about to do," said
+the ober-lieutenant, with a half-malicious smile.
+
+Von Schellen, his hand on the wheel of the periscope mechanism, awaited a
+nod from his chief. Receiving it, the younger officer turned the wheel,
+sending the periscope up a foot above water.
+
+On the white surface of the shaded table beneath Dave saw the image of a
+vessel.
+
+"The fellow yonder has not yet sighted us," said the ober-lieutenant,
+grimly. "We are about to send him a torpedo. Yonder craft is to be our
+game--Yankee steel and Yankee meat!"
+
+As for Dave, as he stared in horror at the image on the table he
+recognized in the ship mirrored there Dan Dalzell's own command, the
+"Reed."
+
+Forcing himself to speak calmly, and to act a part Dave begged:
+
+"One moment longer, please! Let me see whether I can recognize the doomed
+craft."
+
+"Doomed, indeed," chuckled the ober-lieutenant. "We are in position and I
+am about to fire. Be ready to drop the 'scope, von Schellen!"
+
+But Dave Darrin, knocking von Schellen's hand away, seized the lever,
+forcing the periscope to rise to its full height above the conning tower.
+Nor did he stop there. With the mightiest twist and wrench of which he
+was capable he jammed the lever so that it could not be promptly operated
+to lower the periscope.
+
+"Stop!" thundered von Schellen, leaping to his feet, his face purple with
+rage.
+
+"I've stopped," assented Darry, smilingly, as he stepped back.
+
+"Do you realize what you have done, scoundrelly Yankee?" hissed the
+ober-lieutenant, also rising and drawing his revolver.
+
+"Of course I do," Dave smilingly assented.
+
+"You have jammed the periscope. But at least we can dive when we need,
+for--there!"
+
+With deft manipulation of a small device the German commander added:
+
+"I have closed the valves of the 'scope, which will now admit no water if
+we dive. You did not succeed, Herr Darrin. But you will draw upon us the
+Yankee fire if yonder commander is now able to sight our scope."
+
+As if to verify the statement a muffled sound came to them through the
+water. Glancing down swiftly at the table von Schellen saw that reflected
+which caused him to exclaim:
+
+"The Yankee destroyer has opened upon us with her forward port gun. And
+there goes the starboard gun!"
+
+Von Schellen, at a nod from his chief, signalled the orders for diving.
+The ober-lieutenant saw the "Reed," as pictured on the white table, come
+steaming toward the submarine at full speed.
+
+"You idiot!" raged the German commander. "Your treachery has betrayed us,
+and now the Yankee will do his best to sink us and drown all on board
+here."
+
+"That's what I'm praying right now he'll do!" cried Dave Darrin, his face
+radiant with the glory of the thought.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+A VICTIM OF COURTESY
+
+
+"AND what about the woman we have on board?" demanded the
+ober-lieutenant, hurriedly. "Would you destroy her, too--cause her, if
+you could, to die the death of drowning helplessly?"
+
+"I--I had forgotten her," Dave confessed.
+
+But from the passageway came a prompt response.
+
+"Never mind me," called Mrs. Launce. "I have heard, and I, also, pray to
+see this pirate craft destroyed before it can accomplish any more
+wickedness and destruction. My own death does not matter!"
+
+"Silence, woman!" cried the ober-lieutenant, glaring at Mrs. Launce.
+
+"Mrs. Launce has spoken, and has no more to say," broke in the unruffled
+voice of Caleb Launce.
+
+"Is that the way you address women when they are helpless?" Dave
+demanded, tauntingly.
+
+"When they take part in conversations without being asked," the German
+answered, curtly.
+
+"I have heard it was a way with the naval men of your country," Dave
+drove back, tauntingly.
+
+Von Schellen reported:
+
+"We are now sixty feet below the surface, and headed west by southwest.
+Any further orders?"
+
+"None," replied the commander. "Keep to the course until I direct it to
+be changed."
+
+With a stiff salute von Schellen turned and vanished.
+
+"Your Yankee friend shall not catch us this time," jeered the
+ober-lieutenant. "Listen! Can you hear his propellers? We are going
+directly away from him."
+
+"He will catch you, in the end," Darrin retorted, "or some other comrade
+will. I know how many of your craft our Navy has put out of commission,
+and I know how many our Allies have destroyed."
+
+"But you do not know how many submarines we have left, nor how fast we
+are building them," mocked the German commander.
+
+"Do not be too sure of that," Dave retorted. "It may be that our
+information is more exact than you suspect."
+
+"Have you anything definite to say on that subject?" demanded the
+ober-lieutenant, regarding his prisoner attentively.
+
+"Naturally not."
+
+"Then, as I shall be busy, will you be good enough to return to the
+bounds set for you?"
+
+Dave bowed, turned and re-entered the passage-way. The German naval
+officer's manner toward him had not been insulting. There was an evident
+effort to treat Darrin with the outward show of respect that should be
+accorded to a prisoner of his rank. Yet Dave knew that his enemy hated
+him.
+
+Mr. and Mrs. Launce were in the passage-way, and Captain Kennor could be
+heard stirring in his cabin.
+
+"Mr. Darrin, we are now at good depth under water?" inquired Mr. Launce.
+
+"Yes, sir; I believe so. We are not to be caught and destroyed just yet."
+
+"That I am sorry to hear," replied the lawyer, gravely.
+
+"And, I, too, am sorry," spoke up Mrs. Launce. "Life has been sweet to
+me, but I would much rather be dead than a captive in Germany. I condole
+with you, Mr. Darrin, that it was not possible for you to bring about the
+destruction of this wretched craft."
+
+"It will, before long, go the way of the other German submarines," Dave
+assured her, hoping that there were enemy eavesdroppers who would
+overhear and understand.
+
+At best exercise in this narrow short passage was a farce, though it was
+often more agreeable to be out here than sitting in the cramped space of
+one of the tiny sleeping cabins. The four prisoners rested, or moved
+listlessly about, until the evening meal was ready. Then Captain Kennor
+was summoned to eat with the petty officers, while Dave and his English
+companions received word to join the craft's officers in the tiny
+wardroom.
+
+Mr. Launce glanced at Dave with a questioning look.
+
+"Really, Mr. Darrin, I would as soon starve as eat with those German
+officer fellows, and my wife feels as I do about it."
+
+"And my idea is the same," Dave answered.
+
+So Mr. Launce turned to the German mess servant, delivering in German a
+message to the effect that the three prisoners did not care to join the
+officers at mess.
+
+Thereupon von Schellen came out.
+
+"What is the matter?" he asked.
+
+"We don't care to eat with you, sir," Mr. Launce replied, bluntly.
+
+"Oh, very well," replied the junior officer, carelessly. "You three,
+then, may eat at second table after we are pleased to be through."
+
+Clicking his heels and wheeling, the junior officer went back to the
+wardroom. The three prisoners waited more than an hour before the same
+mess attendant came and beckoned them to enter.
+
+They were alone, now, save for the presence of the ober-lieutenant, who
+was seated at one end of the table writing. He did not look up as they
+entered and seated themselves.
+
+The meal set out was a coarse one, in quality of food, but there was
+plenty of it. The three prisoners ate slowly, almost in silence, nor did
+they address their host.
+
+Before the meal was over the German commander left the room without word
+or sign to his guests.
+
+"Why, the boat has stopped!" exclaimed Mrs. Launce, in a low voice, some
+three minutes later. "Are we resting on the bottom?"
+
+"I think I shall soon be able to answer you," Darrin replied.
+
+Soon machinery began to rumble.
+
+"We are on the surface," said Dave, laying down knife and fork. "We are
+recharging batteries."
+
+Mrs. Launce leaned forward to whisper:
+
+"Then surely there is some chance that one of our own craft will hear the
+racket. We may be fired upon and sunk, do you not think?"
+
+"You are eager for death?" Dave asked, studying her face.
+
+"Yes. I prefer death to being taken to Germany."
+
+"And I, too," Dave nodded.
+
+"Have they anything against you there?" Mrs. Launce whispered, after
+glancing about her.
+
+"Only, I believe, that I brought about the capture and execution of one
+of their most valuable spies."
+
+"That would be enough," whispered Mr. Launce. "For that the Germans would
+not openly try and execute you, but they will find other ways to bring
+about your death."
+
+Instantly it occurred to Darrin that, evidently, some one in official
+Germany knew of something to bring against Mrs. Launce, for her question
+to Darrin had indicated as much.
+
+As they sat there at the table the young American officer noted that the
+submarine rolled hardly at all. It was plain that the recent gale had
+subsided, for the slight rocking of the boat indicated only a gentle
+swell on the surface of the sea.
+
+In the doorway appeared Lieutenant von Schellen. In his right hand,
+steadied by his left, was what looked like an album. Glancing up from a
+page the junior officer remarked, with quick speech and decided emphasis:
+
+"You are the Countess of Denby."
+
+By a great effort the Englishwoman turned slowly, glancing at the German.
+
+"Ah!" she exclaimed. "You have another woman prisoner? You are bringing
+her here. I am sorry that she is in your hands."
+
+"_You_ are the Countess of Denby!" von Schellen charged again, once more
+levelling his accusing finger at her. "And you, sir," shifting the
+direction of his finger to point at the supposed Mr. Launce, "are the
+Earl of Denby!"
+
+"I have risen in the world since I went to sea!" jested the Englishman.
+
+"We know who you are, now," von Schellen continued, with brutal
+bluntness, "and we know as much more about you as we need. We know of the
+Admiralty office that you visited, and we know the information that you
+two were expected to gather along the Kiel Canal when you should have
+entered Germany! Oh, you will soon understand that we have most excellent
+information from England! You journeyed to Denmark on a poor old tramp
+steamer, under assumed names and with fraudulent passports furnished by
+your government. From Denmark you were to work your way to Holland, and
+thence into Germany, which country you would enter with still other
+passports furnished you in Holland. We know all about the noble pair of
+Denby! Of course you will deny this, but save your denials for use before
+a German court!"
+
+Having said which von Schellen turned and left them. The Englishman and
+woman gave each other a swift, horrified glance, then lowered their eyes.
+As they looked up again Dave sent them a swift glance of sympathy, but
+there was a look of defiant pride on the Englishwoman's face.
+
+The same thought was in the minds of all three. Von Schellen or some
+other German had been eavesdropping near enough to hear the whispered
+conversation that had taken place.
+
+That was a fair ruse for use in war-time. Darrin, as he looked at the
+English pair, felt sure that they really were the Earl and Countess of
+Denby.
+
+From the cabin under the conning tower came a chorus of hoarse laughter.
+The Englishwoman's swift look said plainly:
+
+"They are laughing over the discovery that they have made."
+
+After that, gloom fell upon the trio. Darrin had never heard, before, of
+the Earl of Denby. Later he learned that the Earl had led a recluse's
+life among books until the war began. About that time he had married a
+young noblewoman, and the pair had gone promptly into effective war work,
+though not in ways that caused their portraits to be published in the
+illustrated weeklies.
+
+Von Schellen re-appeared five minutes later, casting first a look of
+triumph at the English couple, next turning to Dave.
+
+"The American officer may take the air briefly on deck if he so desires,"
+said the German. "It is by gracious permission of the commanding
+officer."
+
+Darrin's first impulse was to decline, unless his companions were
+included. He changed his mind, however, for he had an intense desire to
+find out, if possible, in what waters the craft now was. So he rose,
+bowing to his table companions, and followed von Schellen to the conning
+tower ladder. Here he passed Herr Ober-Lieutenant and bowed stiffly.
+
+"I am trusting you on deck," said the latter, with a frown. "It is a
+courtesy. Do not abuse it by any untoward conduct."
+
+Then Dave followed his conductor up into the tower, von Schellen all the
+while keeping sharp lookout to see that Darrin did not attempt to do any
+damage to the levers on the indicator board.
+
+Von Schellen, preceding him to the deck, turned to say, as Darrin reached
+the platform:
+
+"Observe. Your desperate trick did not harm us for long. You will note
+that the periscope is again lowered. In fact, a new one has been put in
+its place. We have tested the new periscope and its bearings, and have
+found that they work perfectly. Your treachery, with which you repaid the
+commanding officer's courtesy, did not avail you much."
+
+Darrin did not reply. Instead, he turned to survey the night on all
+sides. Overhead were heavy clouds, obscuring the light of the moon,
+which, in its present phase, would have furnished considerable light over
+the waters. There was a fine mist in the air, but the sixth sense of the
+sailor warned Dave not to expect rain tonight.
+
+Despite the cloudiness, however, one could see for a considerable
+distance over the slightly rolling sea. There was no other craft in
+sight.
+
+"You do not see much hope," mocked von Schellen. "We have chosen a quiet
+part of the sea, as you will notice."
+
+"You usually try to do that, don't you?" Dave asked, in a tone of
+ordinary curiosity.
+
+"You must know," laughed the junior officer. "You have spent months
+pursuing our submarines."
+
+"And have had some success in catching them," Dave answered.
+
+Von Schellen's laugh was bitter as he rejoined:
+
+"Ah! You are a good boaster! But do not go too far, Herr Darrin! Do not
+make me wish to strike you!"
+
+"I wouldn't care how soon you struck me," Darrin smiled, "provided I
+could be assured of a fair field and no favor in defending myself. But I
+think we are going too far in our talk, are we not, when one considers
+the consideration that a captor must show to a prisoner of war. As a
+gentleman you cannot strike me; nor, as a gentleman, can I seek to
+provoke you to do so. The situation is one calling for tact, Herr
+Lieutenant."
+
+"And I cannot forget that you are taking occasion to remind me of the
+fact," retorted von Schellen, a dark look coming into his face.
+
+"Then may I, as the prisoner of war, ask that the subject be changed?"
+Dave Darrin suggested.
+
+"By all means," von Schellen returned, quickly, though he was able to
+perceive that the American had again succeeded in putting him in the
+wrong.
+
+Just a moment later a petty officer appeared on deck. Taking two or three
+steps toward the junior officer he halted, saluted, and then remained
+standing at attention, as though waiting.
+
+Von Schellen stepped over to the man, and a conversation followed in low
+tones, but did not last long.
+
+"If you care to remain on deck and watch," said the junior lieutenant,
+"you will see something that may interest you."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+GERMAN BRUTALITY AT ITS WORST
+
+
+JUST behind the conning tower a jointed steel mast was raised and stepped
+by three seamen who came at the petty officer's order.
+
+Farther astern a narrow, ledge-like trapdoor of steel was raised, and
+from this was taken and stepped another steel jointed mast. The seamen
+now worked quickly in rigging aerial wires in place. In a very short time
+the work was completed, and the petty officer saluted von Schellen.
+
+"You cannot fail to understand what we are doing," hinted the young
+German officer.
+
+"You are about to send or receive radio messages, I take it," Dave
+replied.
+
+"You have been told, of course, that we always report our whereabouts
+after dark?"
+
+"Yes, it is common knowledge with the Allies," Dave admitted. "And also
+that you receive instructions from the home offices of your Admiralty."
+
+There was a crackling sound on the aerials, followed by others, some
+short, some long.
+
+"A wonderful invention, is it not?" asked von Schellen, with
+satisfaction.
+
+"Yes, and first developed outside of Germany," Dave bantered,
+good-humoredly.
+
+"True enough, but we have known how to take the radio and adapt it to all
+our needs," retorted von Schellen.
+
+"Your operator is now reporting your whereabouts, of course."
+
+"That would seem likely, wouldn't it?" the other demanded.
+
+"And then you will receive information."
+
+"Yes; and sometimes we have even messages for our men from their homes,"
+laughed von Schellen. "More! I have even had tender messages from my
+sweetheart! And have answered them in kind!"
+
+For a moment Dave stared in astonishment. He knew von Schellen for a
+truly heartless brute. The idea that any woman could love this fellow
+came almost as a shock. And that Schellen could have any tender feelings!
+Wonders would never cease.
+
+"Of what are you thinking, if I may ask?" the German went on.
+
+"After information coming to you," Darrin hinted, "it almost goes without
+saying that you receive your orders."
+
+"Surely we receive them," nodded the German, "if we happen to need any.
+But in our line of professional work, after we have received information
+we do not often need orders. We know how to use our information."
+
+"Of course," Dave went on, "any other radio operator who is within
+hearing distance can pick up your messages, so you do not send them in
+open German but use a code, or rather, a series of codes."
+
+"If your radio men have ever picked up any of our messages," retorted the
+young German, "you must know that you were not able to decipher their
+meaning."
+
+"We could not always decipher them," Darrin admitted.
+
+"What do you mean by that?"
+
+"Why, it is possible, of course, that sometimes we and our Allies have
+some keys to the German use of code messages."
+
+"You assert that?" questioned von Schellen, rather eagerly.
+
+"No, and I do not deny it, either," Dave smiled.
+
+"You are interesting, but discreet," complained the German, banteringly.
+
+"And I may say as much of you," Dave continued. "Naturally, you know
+some things that you would not tell me, and I know a few things that I
+would not dream of telling you."
+
+"And, instead, you hint at things that are not so, and perhaps I do about
+the same thing," returned von Schellen.
+
+After that silence fell for some minutes. Dave walked back and forth, the
+junior officer watching him keenly.
+
+Overhead the crackling at the aerials continued, with occasional
+intervals of silence when the operator below was busy receiving messages.
+
+Again a petty officer approached von Schellen, saluting and reporting in
+an undertone.
+
+"It is time for you to go below," announced von Schellen, turning to
+Dave.
+
+"I appreciate very much this opportunity to take the fresh air," Dave
+said, politely, as he turned toward the conning tower.
+
+"Oh, I guess you're welcome," said the lieutenant, shortly, and with a
+meaning smile, "though sometimes there is such a thing as too much
+outdoor life."
+
+To Darrin's mild astonishment, as he stepped below, a folding table had
+been set up, and around this were seated the ober-lieutenant and two
+other officers, one of them an engineer. Von Schellen, at a nod from his
+chief, made the fourth at the table.
+
+Into this cabin were brought the English couple and the Danish master.
+Several sailors stood about. The occasion began to take on a formal look,
+which was heightened when the ober-lieutenant laid on the table a small
+sheaf of papers.
+
+"First of all, you, Herr Darrin," began the ober-lieutenant. "There can
+be no doubt that you are Darrin?"
+
+Dave thrust a hand in under his sheepskin, bringing to light a card-case.
+From it he withdrew a pasteboard which he laid on the table.
+
+"That is my card," he said.
+
+The ober-lieutenant studied it deliberately, then passed it to another
+officer as he continued:
+
+"And you do not deny that it was you who captured Ober-Lieutenant von
+Bechtold of the Imperial German Navy. You were the principal witness
+against him when he was tried in Britain for being a spy?"
+
+"I do not deny it, sir."
+
+"That is all. You may step back."
+
+As Darrin drew back he could not escape the feeling that two of the
+seamen near him regarded him as being their especial prisoner.
+
+"And now, the Earl and Countess of Denby," called the ober-lieutenant.
+
+The English couple remained as motionless and appeared as unconcerned as
+though they had not heard.
+
+"You two, I mean," insisted the ober-lieutenant, turning to them.
+
+"Oh," said the man, and stepped forward, his wife following him.
+
+The ober-lieutenant eyed the pair impressively before he asked them:
+
+"You do not deny that you are the Earl and Countess of Denby?"
+
+"No," replied the man.
+
+"Ah! Then you admit it?"
+
+"No," he said, promptly.
+
+"But either you must be, or you cannot be, the noble couple whom I have
+named. Which is it?"
+
+"That is for you to determine," replied the man.
+
+"But what do you say yourselves?"
+
+"Nothing."
+
+"But you must answer my question!" the commanding officer insisted
+angrily.
+
+"You fatigue me," declared the man.
+
+"You have not answered my question, and won't?"
+
+"We have nothing to say."
+
+Frowning, the ober-lieutenant whispered to a petty officer, who had
+placed on the table the same album that von Schellen had brought to the
+wardroom door. The commanding officer opened the album, pointing to two
+photographs that adorned a page.
+
+"These are your photographs, are they not?" he demanded, glancing up at
+the pair. But no reply came from them.
+
+"At least," said the ober-lieutenant, stiffly, "you have been given
+abundant opportunity to deny, and have declined to do so. Our imperial
+government has had sufficient information that you two have recently
+entered the British secret service. It is even known to the imperial
+government that you two recently undertook to penetrate into Germany,
+under even another assumed name than Launce, and that you planned to spy
+upon what was to be learned along the Kiel Canal. You even had some of
+your arrangements made for performing that seemingly very difficult piece
+of spy work. You have been charged, and you refuse to deny. It is the
+same as a confession on your parts. The Earl and Countess of Denby will
+stand aside."
+
+Two sailors, at a sign from the ober-lieutenant, drew the English pair
+back.
+
+"Martin Kennor, once master of the Danish freight steamer 'Rigsdak!'"
+called the commander.
+
+Promptly the Danish skipper stood forward.
+
+"There can be no doubt at all that you answer the description just
+given?" demanded the ober-lieutenant.
+
+"None vatever," agreed Kennor.
+
+"The only fault to be found with you," continued the ober-lieutenant,
+"is that you had the misfortune to be found in such company, and that
+later on your tongue might prove too long and ready. That is all!"
+
+Von Schellen, again on his feet, signalled to some of the seamen, then
+said:
+
+"The prisoners will follow me."
+
+To the amazement of all he led the way to the conning tower. After him
+the sailors herded the four prisoners of war. They ascended the ladder,
+the Englishwoman being the last of the four. Her husband and Captain
+Kennor assisted her as she stepped through the manhole to the deck
+outside.
+
+"But this is unkind," she declared, with a shiver. "My husband and I have
+not our outer wraps, and the night is chilly."
+
+"I will mention the matter," replied von Schellen, stiffly.
+
+The wireless masts and aerials had disappeared. As the four passengers
+stood on the deck and wondered, the seamen entered the submarine through
+the manhole in the wake of von Schellen. When the last of them had gone
+into the conning tower the junior lieutenant re-appeared at the manhole
+to call:
+
+"A pleasant evening for four!"
+
+Then the manhole cover was closed and there came to those on deck a
+muffled sound connected with fastening it on the inside.
+
+"What does this new insolence mean?" cried the Englishwoman.
+
+"If you do not guess, you must soon know," replied her husband, throwing
+an arm about her. It was then that Mrs. Launce understood. She turned
+pale, but did not cry out.
+
+Perhaps a full minute passed before the submarine began to move forward.
+Dave Darrin, familiar with the sounds from below, knew that the rumble of
+machinery coming to his ears was caused, not by the engines used in
+surface running, but by the electric motors employed when running under
+water.
+
+"The brutes are going to drown us, as they did the hapless sailors they
+took from our boat!" gasped the Englishwoman.
+
+"Yes, my dear," replied her husband, "and you have said that you would
+prefer drowning to being a prisoner in Germany."
+
+"I still say it," she answered quietly.
+
+"We are to have our wish," said her husband.
+
+Dave Darrin remained immobile; Captain Kennor shrugged his shoulders
+without speaking.
+
+The prow of the craft dipped into the water, which soon came creeping up
+around their ankles. The forward deck was now out of sight, the water in
+which they stood rising toward their knees.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+FACING THE PLANNED DEATH
+
+
+TURNING to Darrin the Englishman held out his hand.
+
+"Good-bye" he said, simply. "You have been a good comrade. I trust you
+have not been disappointed in us, either."
+
+"Let's not say good-bye yet," urged Dave cheerfully. "Surely we are not
+going to give up and drown, merely because a lot of German rascals so
+will it."
+
+"But we cannot last long in the water," protested the Englishman, mildly.
+
+"At least, sir," Dave suggested, "we shall not die until we have to. You
+swim?"
+
+"Once I did."
+
+"Then you can swim now. The sea is nearly smooth. Let us try to keep
+together. And you, Captain Kennor? You swim?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Good. We'll keep together as long as we can."
+
+At this moment the Englishwoman, the shortest of the quartette, gave a
+little cry as she found her footing giving way beneath her.
+
+"All together!" cried Darrin, with a cheeriness he did not feel, as he
+gripped the woman's left arm.
+
+Another drop of the deck sent them all adrift. The Englishman supported
+his wife on her right. Captain Kennor, nearly silent, but undaunted, swam
+slightly behind the others that he might offer aid wherever needed.
+
+Strangely enough, though the swimmers spoke to each other occasionally,
+none now referred to the dastardly conduct of the enemy in setting them
+thus adrift to drown.
+
+"You are cold, my dear, I know," said the Englishman to his wife. "Are
+you suffering otherwise?"
+
+"No; but though I would not willingly drown myself, I shall not be sorry
+when we give up and go down."
+
+"Had I felt that way the last time I found myself in the water," spoke up
+Dave, "I would not be here now."
+
+"You had on a life belt. Now none of us has," answered the Englishwoman,
+her teeth chattering. "We cannot last long."
+
+"After my last experience, madam," Dave assured her, "I shall never dare
+say that as long as life lasts."
+
+"Why not face facts calmly?" she asked. "Probably I shall last a quarter
+of an hour before I die of cold. I may survive for twenty minutes or a
+little longer. You are strong, and may keep up for an hour or more. What
+can possibly come to our aid in that short time?"
+
+"Who can say?" was Dave's counter-question.
+
+For some time, they swam in silence. They did not attempt to make
+progress. Motion enough to keep afloat was all that was called for.
+
+All at once Dave wondered whether his eyes were playing him tricks, or
+whether he really saw the top of a conning tower approaching him. It was
+not likely that the enemy would remain about, and come back to see how it
+fared with the victims of their cruelty.
+
+Then the something in the water took on another vague shape. Darrin shook
+his head in an effort to get the water out of his eyes. He peered again.
+The shape, whatever it was, and if it really existed, was beginning to
+get on his nerves. It seemed to come nearer.
+
+"Captain Kennor!" called Darrin, sharply.
+
+"Aye!" responded the Dane.
+
+"Are you still swimming strongly?"
+
+"Aye!"
+
+"Then will you swim ahead and see what it is that my eyes show me on the
+water?"
+
+"Oh, aye!"
+
+With lusty strokes the Dane swam around him, and then ahead.
+
+"A little more to the left!" called Dave.
+
+Then Captain Kennor believed that he saw it, too, and headed straight for
+the object. Getting nearer he sent back a real cheer.
+
+"What is it?" Darrin called.
+
+"A spar!"
+
+"Any size?"
+
+"Large enough us to hold all up! Swim dis vay! Alone, can I hardly push
+it to you."
+
+Neither Dave nor the Englishman needed urging. They swam, still bearing
+the woman between them. The sight of the Dane ahead of them holding to
+the spar with one arm, and holding up the other hand, heartened them
+wonderfully.
+
+Soon all three had gained the spar, and Captain Kennor, drawing a cord
+from his pocket, soon succeeded in lashing the Englishwoman so securely
+to the spar that she could not slip away and perish.
+
+"Now, you will remember what I said about not giving up," Dave reminded
+his companions.
+
+"Why, yes, I am buoyed up, and perhaps you men can manage to hold on,
+also," admitted the woman. "Yet we must freeze to death."
+
+"We will still dare to hope," Darrin replied, calmly.
+
+"You are a splendid inspiration, Mr. Darrin!" declared the Englishman,
+heartily. "I wish I could believe that you are a true prophet, as well."
+
+"Oh, well," spoke Dave, with a lightness that was deceptive, "I've really
+been in several worse scrapes than the present one."
+
+But to himself he added:
+
+"May I be forgiven for uttering what seems to me to be a possibly helpful
+lie!"
+
+Though they were now safely afloat for some time to come, their situation
+rapidly became worse, owing to the increasing cold. Especially was this
+noticeable in the case of the Englishwoman.
+
+From time to time her eyes closed. When spoken to she had to exert
+considerable effort to shake off her languor before she could reply. She
+became still more drowsy; evidently she was on the verge of freezing to
+death. From speaking kindly her husband dropped into sharp tones for the
+sole purpose of keeping her awake. Presently he was forced to resort to
+light blows in order to bully her into wakefulness. Once she fell soundly
+asleep she would not again awake.
+
+As for Captain Kennor, he held on almost dumbly. He seldom spoke, his
+eyes mournfully regarding the woman whose battle for life was slowly
+being lost.
+
+"This is awful!" cried the Englishman, hoarsely, after another effort to
+rouse his wife from slumber.
+
+"For all of us," Darrin admitted, "though there is still hope."
+
+"Where?" inquired Captain Kennor.
+
+"I do not know," Dave confessed. "Yes, I do, too, though! Look yonder!
+No, in that direction!"
+
+At first the others could not make it out. Captain Kennor was the first
+to see what Dave had found. It was only a low, dark cloud on the horizon,
+and it looked as though smaller clouds detached themselves and sailed
+away on the low-hanging sky.
+
+"I see it, too!" cried the Englishman, at last. "But what is it?"
+
+"A ship," Dave answered. "To be more exact, it looks like a destroyer,
+and it looks too as though it might pass within a quarter of a mile of
+us."
+
+"Look, my dear--look!" the Englishman urged his wife, shaking her in his
+eagerness to have her realize the thread of hope that dangled before
+their eyes. "A ship coming! We are to be saved."
+
+Her eyes opened at last; the woman struggled bravely to show interest in
+the sight that half-cheered the others, but she could not. She was too
+far gone, and her eyes closed again.
+
+"Keep your wife awake, sir, if you have to begin to pull her hair from
+her head!!" It was a command. "See how near that craft is getting. Jove,
+sir! I believe it is one of our own Yankee ships!"
+
+"But they will not come close enough to see us," objected Captain Kennor,
+with the practiced eyes of the veteran seaman. "They are not using their
+searchlight, and we have no way of signalling to them."
+
+Without speaking Darrin tried a desperate hope. In one of his hands
+something gleamed out into the night.
+
+"What is it?" demanded the Dane. "Himmel! Der flashlight! Vere or ven did
+you by dat come?"
+
+"I found it in the locker of our sleeping cabin, and hid it in my
+clothes," Dave answered, as he again tested the light. "I did not want to
+speak of it unless there should come some hope to us. This light was
+evidently left by some German who had used that cabin. It's waterproof,
+too. When I found it I had a hope that it might come in handy before I
+got through with this adventure. And now!"
+
+Waiting only a minute or two longer, Dave, clinging to the spar with one
+arm, held the other hand as high aloft as he could.
+
+"Help!" he signalled by flashes in the Morse code. "Help!"
+
+"It is such a tiny glow, to carry so far!" sighed the Englishman.
+
+"Maybe id vill seen be," said Captain Kennor.
+
+Dave continued to signal until, to his great joy, there came an
+answering signal from a blinker light which asked:
+
+"Who are you?"
+
+"Four castaways, clinging to a spar. Help before we freeze!" Dave flashed
+back, desperately.
+
+"If only the commander of that boat does not suspect us of being a German
+submarine springing a trap!" cried the Englishwoman.
+
+A searchlight flashed up, then its broad beam stretched across the waters
+as the operator tried to pick up the floating ones.
+
+Dave threw the flash into a continuous light while the searchlight beam
+continued groping. Then, in a blessed instant, the beam struck almost
+blindingly across the spar and the four human beings held up by it.
+
+"Now, they've spotted us," Dave cried, exultingly. "They won't run away
+and leave us without a look-in."
+
+Holding the spar with the searchlight beam, the destroyer changed its
+course, bearing down rapidly upon them. Then it stopped and a motor
+launch was lowered from davits.
+
+With a burst of speed the launch came alongside the spar. Busy hands were
+outstretched. The Englishwoman was the first to be taken aboard, after a
+few quick slashes had freed her from the binding cord.
+
+[Illustration: "Help!"]
+
+"Why, here's Lieutenant Commander Darrin!" exclaimed a voice. Dave,
+almost too weak to speak, was hustled into the boat, then the other two
+men were taken over.
+
+Blankets were wrapped about the rescued ones, and the launch dashed back
+to her ship.
+
+"A woman, Lieutenant Commander Darrin and two other men!" the officer in
+charge of the launch hailed the destroyer.
+
+"Darrin!" cried a voice. There was even greater bustle at the top of the
+gangway that had been lowered as the launch ran alongside. As swiftly as
+possible the four rescued ones were rushed up the side.
+
+"Old Darry himself, eh?" cried a joyous voice, as Danny Grin hurried up.
+"Has the woman any relative in the party?"
+
+"Yes; her husband," Dave answered weakly, then collapsed.
+
+"Take the woman and her husband to my quarters," Dalzell directed. "Have
+a cot put in and lashed for the husband, and put the woman in the berth.
+Mr. Darrin and the other man will go to the sick bay."
+
+Willing hands bore the rescued ones as ordered. Dan himself followed
+Dave's bearers down to the sick bay and there supervised the treatment
+given Dave and Captain Kennor, while the medical officer went to Dan's
+quarters, the best on the craft.
+
+The Englishman was soon more comfortable. His wife, however, required
+serious attention. Dalzell shook his head over Dave, who appeared all in
+and not able to talk.
+
+"Was he in the water longer than the rest of you?" asked Dalzell, as soon
+as Captain Kennor was able to talk.
+
+"No; but he vas der water in vonce before," was the reply. "Der second
+time he could stand not so well."
+
+That gave Dan the clue. As soon as the medical officer could be spared
+from the care of the Englishwoman for a few moments he was ordered to the
+sick bay.
+
+"Mr. Darrin may pull through, but I won't guarantee anything," said the
+surgeon, after an examination. "The chances are all against him. I am
+afraid the woman is going to die also."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+DAVE PLEDGES HIS WORD FOR RESULTS
+
+
+THAT double report helped Dan Dalzell to make up his mind.
+
+"Run straight for port," he ordered the executive officer, naming the
+nearest British haven that offered rail connection.
+
+In an hour and a half the destroyer had dropped anchor at the port.
+
+More medical aid was brought aboard, including a trained nurse for the
+Englishwoman.
+
+A few hours after daylight the woman had recovered sufficiently to
+warrant her removal to a hospital on shore. No strong hopes were yet
+entertained of keeping her alive for more than a day or two. Her husband
+had stood the watery ordeal much better.
+
+Captain Kennor, who, with Dave, was taken to the hospital later in the
+day, had nearly recovered by the day following.
+
+But for Dave Darrin there followed black hours. According to the doctors
+a severe case of pneumonia was about the best that could be predicted for
+him.
+
+On the day after he was taken ashore Darrin opened his eyes with a light
+of recognition in them. At the foot of the cot, in a chair, sat a
+stalwart, youthful figure. Dan Dalzell, whose orders took him to sea
+again that night, was waiting to the last for better news.
+
+"Dan," Dave called, softly, and Dalzell was instantly bending over him.
+
+"David, little giant, did you know that the 'Reed' had the good luck to
+pick you up?" asked Dan, eagerly.
+
+"I had a notion of it, but I was too dazed to know really," Darrin
+answered.
+
+"I've been here about all the time ever since," Dan went on. "I wanted to
+know the news of you as soon as it could be had. But you're going to be
+all right, now."
+
+"Of course I am," agreed Dave, feebly.
+
+Unseen by the man on the hospital cot, Dan signalled with one hand. Down
+the ward came a doctor, followed by a young woman wearing the blue cape
+ulster of the Red Cross. There was a quick, glad cry; soft lips touched
+Dave's face.
+
+"Belle!" gasped Dave, delightedly.
+
+"I'm going to be allowed to sit by you quite a bit, dear, if you don't
+try to talk to me," replied the steady voice of Belle Darrin. Summoned by
+cable sent by Dan, Belle had journeyed swiftly from France.
+
+"And now I'm off and back to my ship, Belle," said Dan. "But I know
+you'll find a way to get a radio message through to me when Dave is
+improved enough to warrant it. Good-bye, Darry, old chap!"
+
+And Dan was off, not because he didn't want to stay, but because he knew
+his chum would want to see the most of Belle. As for that young woman,
+who held none too positive hopes of Darrin's recovery after what the
+doctors had told her, she forced herself to be calm and smiling and sat
+close by, her hand on Dave's forehead when he dropped off into a
+feverish, troubled sleep.
+
+The next day Belle chatted with her husband a little, in a cool, steady
+voice. Two days after that Dave was actually permitted to sit up.
+
+On the sixth day after he had been taken to the hospital Dave was mending
+so rapidly that Belle, who was obliged to leave that afternoon for her
+Red Cross post in France, felt wholly easy in mind as to his condition.
+
+"It was a lucky chain of events, my two swims in the channel," Darrin
+told her before they parted.
+
+"Lucky, when the experience nearly cost you your life?" exclaimed Belle.
+
+"It gave you an excuse for coming to me, and gave me the time and leisure
+to be with you."
+
+"Dave Darrin, you don't mean any such thing! You are needed aboard your
+ship, and I am needed for my work in France, and nothing can be called
+really good luck that takes either of us away from his post of duty in
+war-time."
+
+"You little patriot!" Dave laughed, jestingly.
+
+"You believe it just as much as I do," Belle maintained stoutly. "I'm
+glad to have been here with you, dear, but I shall be glad to find myself
+back at my post. And you know you are glad that you will return to your
+ship tomorrow."
+
+"If she comes in," Darrin amended.
+
+"Dave, aren't you nearly wild to get back to duty?" she persisted.
+
+"Yes, I am, for as you say, dear, we are all needed at the posts assigned
+to us. There is another reason why I must get back. The work that has
+been cut out for us is not proceeding as it should. We have made some
+good 'catches' in the way of mines, yet the fact is that mines are being
+planted much faster than we have been taking them up. I must get back to
+duty and see if I can find out what is wrong."
+
+Buttoning his overcoat tightly Dave Darrin walked with Belle to the
+railway station. The train left so soon after their arrival that there
+were not many moments left the young couple for leave-taking. After the
+train had started Dave watched it out of sight. There had been something
+uncomfortable in his throat, but as he turned away the lump vanished and
+his jaws set squarely.
+
+"Now, my work is cut out for me," he told himself. "I can do only one
+man's part in this war, but I must do that to the limit and try to make
+the world a safe place of residence for that little woman and all others
+like her!"
+
+No sooner was the "Grigsby" in port, the next forenoon, than Lieutenant
+Fernald came ashore and straight to the hospital.
+
+"Going on board today, sir?" was Fernald's greeting.
+
+"You couldn't keep me ashore any longer," Darrin declared.
+
+"Good enough!" said the executive officer, heartily. "We need you, sir!
+We've been doing our best, but the enemy has been gaining on us. Last
+night two ships struck mines and went down before rescue could reach
+them. The Germans are beating us at this mine game, and something must be
+done, which, of course, sir, is another way of saying that a way must be
+found to do the right and necessary thing."
+
+"I've been thinking that over for twenty-four hours," Darrin went on. "As
+soon as we are aboard I want to talk the whole situation over with you.
+Will Dalzell be in today?"
+
+"In about an hour, sir, I think. He needs fuel and some food supplies."
+
+"Then we'll hold a council of war in the chart-room," Dave decided, as he
+buttoned up his coat. "I'm ready, Fernald."
+
+Dave had already thanked the hospital authorities, and taken leave of
+them, so the two young naval officers passed outside, made their way down
+to the water front, and soon thereafter stepped aboard the "Grigsby,"
+reporting their arrival on board to the watch officer. Dave also saw that
+the forward gun damaged in the fight with the German destroyers had been
+replaced by a new one. From the gangway they went direct to the
+chart-room.
+
+"I'll hear the reports on the work now, Fernald," Dave announced.
+
+Two of the papers that came under Dave's hand especially interested him.
+One was a detailed list of the ships that had struck mines during the
+last week in the waters in which he and Dalzell had been operating. The
+other document contained a report on the discovery and sinking of one
+fighting submarine and one submarine mine-layer.
+
+From these reports Dave turned to the charts of the local waters. When
+Fernald came back with Dan Dalzell, Dave was still poring over the
+charts.
+
+"From the rapid way in which German mines are being planted in these
+waters," Dave told his brother officers, "I am satisfied that the enemy
+submarines do not usually go all the way back to the base port. I believe
+that the mine-layers are often met by other craft that supply them with
+mines, and that the submarine mine-layers return quickly to the job of
+planting mines. Now, the sea area in which the mines are planted leads me
+to feel certain that the mine-layers rest frequently on these three
+shoals."
+
+Dave pointed on the chart to the shoals in question.
+
+"How many mine-sweeping craft have we now under our orders?" he inquired.
+
+"Nine," said Dan, promptly.
+
+"How many of them can we spare from mine-sweeping?"
+
+"None," Dalzell replied, positively.
+
+"Either we must spare some, or we must have some sweeper craft added to
+our fleet," Dave went on. "There are three of these shoals, and hereafter
+I want two mine-sweepers to spend their time dragging their wires over
+each shoal. That will take six craft, and these will not have time to do
+any sweeping in the open sea. We cannot clean up the mines themselves
+with three craft, can we?"
+
+"Plainly not," Dan agreed, "since, with all nine, we have not been able
+to find and take up all the mines we should have located."
+
+"Then we shall have to have more craft," Dave nodded. "Yet if we cannot
+have more craft assigned to this work, we must go ahead with what we have
+and do more work. But I believe that the hunt over the shoals should be
+kept up day and night, without rest, for I am satisfied that the enemy
+mine-layers rest on these shoals more frequently than we have supposed."
+
+After some further conversation Dave had his launch cleared away and went
+over to a British battleship for a conference with the British admiral in
+command in those waters. The best the admiral could do was to supply him
+with three of the hundred-and-ten-foot patrol boats. These, however, were
+provided with sweepers and possessed good speed.
+
+"I hope you're right, Mr. Darrin," said the admiral, at the close of the
+interview. "To be frank with you, your predecessor in the work of
+cleaning up enemy mines in this area was a British naval officer,
+considerably older than yourself. He is a very capable man in many ways,
+but we felt that he had been so long on coast work that he was growing
+much too stale. So, when I decided to transfer him to other duties I
+thought of trying one of your American officers, a young man, full of
+spirit, and fresh for this work. So I asked your admiral for some one,
+and he sent Dalzell and yourself."
+
+"So far," said Dave, "I have not done any better than my English
+predecessor, sir?"
+
+"Frankly you have not, yet we must remember to deduct your very necessary
+week in hospital. However, you have done some other excellent things. The
+capture of the mine-laying neutral, the 'Olga,' for instance, was a
+splendid bit of work. The fight that you and Mr. Dalzell had with the
+three enemy destroyers was a fine job. But the mines in these waters
+continue to be as much of a menace as before."
+
+"They won't be, by this time next week, sir. I promise that," said Dave,
+rising. "How soon can the commanders of the three patrol boats report to
+me?"
+
+"At once. All three are here in the harbor, and, I am told, they are
+ready to put to sea."
+
+"Then, sir, I propose, within a week, to hand you a wholly satisfactory
+report," Darrin went on. "I had to put in some time on the ground, and it
+was necessary to study a new problem. Then came a series of adventures
+that took me out of the work for a while. But now, sir, I hope to show
+you something new--results!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+DARRIN SUSPECTS THE GERMAN PLAN
+
+
+THE three shoals selected by Darrin extended over a length of about
+thirty miles along the coast. It was the center one of these shoals on
+which he had had previous experience.
+
+Further, it was arranged that Dalzell should, in general, cruise along
+the lower fifteen miles of this stretch, while the "Grigsby" should cover
+the upper half. From time to time the two destroyers would meet.
+
+After sending three mine-sweepers and the three patrol boats to the
+shoals, two craft to each shoal, Darrin saw to it that the other six were
+assigned to duty in the deeper waters off shore.
+
+Then, with a hearty signal to the "Reed," the "Grigsby" started
+northward. She steamed by the southernmost shoal, and was passing the
+second when Darrin was called to the bridge by Ensign Ormsby.
+
+"That patrol boat in there signals that she has made a find, sir, so I
+have changed the course and am heading in."
+
+Dave's eyes gleamed as he made out the next signal from the patrol, which
+was:
+
+"Soundings show her to be a big craft. Shall we rig the small bombs on
+the sweep wires?"
+
+"Wait until we arrive," was the answering signal from the "Grigsby."
+
+In a few minutes the destroyer was within hailing distance of the patrol
+boat, which was lying to in the neighborhood of the find.
+
+"The enemy submarine appears to be at least 275 feet long, sir," reported
+the patrol boat commander.
+
+"Then a depth bomb should do the business better," Dave shouted back
+through the megaphone. "Sail over the craft with your sweep, and I'll
+follow. Signal when you judge us to be squarely over her."
+
+Under bare headway the "Grigsby" fell in behind the now slow-moving
+patrol boat. Almost at once the wire sweeps discovered the hull of the
+hiding monster.
+
+Ahead steamed the patrol boat, the destroyer following. Aft two men stood
+by the depth bomb apparatus. Down came the white flag of the British
+signalman on the smaller craft.
+
+Dave's hand rested on the telegraph lever to the engine-room. He
+signalled for full speed ahead, then at the proper moment he shouted:
+
+"Let her go!"
+
+An instant later the bomb splashed into the water.
+
+Immediately following the splash there came a sullen, rending roar under
+water. A great column of water leaped up from the sea, a heavy volume of
+it landing on the after deck of the destroyer, all but washing overboard
+one of the lookouts. The pressure of water fairly lifted the stern of the
+"Grigsby" until her bow dipped far in.
+
+Ensign Ormsby was thrown flat, almost rolling from the bridge. Dave,
+fortunately, had taken a grip that saved him from falling.
+
+It seemed as though the destroyer herself had been blown up, but she
+quickly settled and scooted ahead at a furious rate.
+
+"Half speed ahead," Darrin signalled, as soon as he could let go his
+grip, and the "Grigsby" slowed down. At the same time she swung around.
+
+Even at that distance the huge spread of oil on the surface could be
+seen. A wild Yankee cheer rose, which was promptly echoed by the British
+tars of the patrol boat.
+
+"No depth bomb ever made that upheaval," Dave gasped, as soon as he could
+speak, and Mr. Ormsby, much shaken, had picked himself up. "The bombs are
+ugly affairs, but that felt like the explosion of about ten of them."
+
+"Did you notice, sir, that the explosion lasted more than twice as long
+as we've ever known one to last before?" the watch officer asked.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then what happened, sir?"
+
+"Either our explosion touched off a torpedo, which does not seem likely,
+or else--"
+
+For an instant what he was about to say sounded so absurd that Darrin
+hesitated.
+
+"Well, sir--?" queried Ormsby.
+
+"Or else that was a mine-layer, with a full cargo of mines aboard, all
+ready for business, and--But you'll think I've gone daffy."
+
+"No, I won't, sir; not after the way this ship rose out of the water,"
+the watch officer declared. "You mean, sir, that our bomb went off right
+over that craft's cargo of mines, and that the shock must have set off
+the mines."
+
+"That's certainly the way it looks to me," Darrin nodded.
+
+"I believe it, sir."
+
+Just a few moments later the patrol boat came within hail. Through his
+megaphone Darrin stated what he believed had taken place.
+
+"It's the only thing to account, sir, for such a tremendous explosion,"
+replied the commander of the patrol. "I've been on hand to see a lot of
+depth bombs go off, and I never saw an upheaval like the one you
+produced, sir."
+
+"Have soundings taken, Mr. Ormsby," Darrin directed. The depth of the
+water was quickly reported. Dave glanced at the sky.
+
+"The light will be strong enough for another hour," he decided. "Have
+our two divers prepare to go down at once."
+
+A launch, cleared away with the divers on board, was anchored in the
+middle of the oil spot. Two divers went over the side. Presently they
+signalled for extra cables. When these were let down they attached pieces
+of metal and gave the signal to haul away.
+
+By the time that the hour was up Darrin had abundant evidence to prove
+that he had destroyed a mine-layer, and that his bomb had blown up
+several mines stored on the craft. This evidence took the form of
+fragments of mines.
+
+"Some of these pieces must even have been driven up against our hull,"
+Darrin declared. "It is a wonder that we were not sunk."
+
+"The counter pressure of the water would lessen the force of these
+fragments, especially after they had been blown out through the shell of
+the submarine," Lieutenant Fernald argued. "But I agree with you, sir,
+that it's a wonder the 'Grigsby' suffered nothing worse than a shaking."
+
+Other evidence, too, the divers sent up. The destroyed craft had surely
+been a mine-laying submarine. The divers measured the length of the
+wrecked hull, finding it to be close to three hundred feet. They
+reported, too, that scores of German dead lay in the wreckage.
+
+For hours nothing more happened. Just before ten o'clock that night the
+mine-sweeper's blinkers signalled a call to the "Grigsby," then about
+four miles distant.
+
+"They've found something," Darrin chuckled, when he reached the bridge on
+a call from Lieutenant Fernald.
+
+As the "Grigsby" was heading in toward the shoal, and had some minutes
+still to go, Darrin asked:
+
+"Mr. Fernald, you had a second and even more thorough inspection of the
+hull made, as I directed?"
+
+"Yes, sir; and found the hull so secure that I did not wake you to tell
+you, sir. There has been no strain of the plates sufficient to start any
+of them."
+
+"I'm thankful to hear that," Darrin acknowledged. "Even with the big,
+elastic cushion of water between us and that awful explosion, it seems
+almost incredible that we did not wreck ourselves as well as the enemy."
+
+"You've found another submarine?" Dave shouted through the megaphone, as
+he rang for slow speed and ran parallel with the waiting snub-nosed
+craft.
+
+"We've found two somethings, sir," came back the reply. "They lie about
+four hundred feet apart and heading in the same direction. I can find
+them again, sir, but I didn't go back over them for fear they'd take the
+alarm and run for it."
+
+"Perhaps they have," Darrin suggested.
+
+"I've dropped small buoys, sir, and can lead you over them."
+
+"Then do so, and travel at full speed. Be prepared to get out of our way
+if we come fast after dropping."
+
+Even the two cool-headed sailors who stood by the depth bomb apparatus
+stiffened themselves as they found the "Grigsby" following in the wake of
+the mine-sweeper. The after lookouts lashed themselves fast against
+injury by any such surprise as that of the afternoon.
+
+As the signal flashed from the mine-sweeper ahead Dave passed the order
+for the bomb instantly after ordering full speed.
+
+There was an explosion, but an ordinary one, such as this crew of the
+destroyer was accustomed to.
+
+At full speed, too, Dave tried for the second hidden enemy boat. There
+was barely time to have the second bomb in place when signal and order
+came.
+
+Another terrific explosion, like that of the afternoon! It seemed as
+though the waters must divide! Yet the "Grigsby," moving fast all the
+time, felt the shock severely, but not like the one of the afternoon.
+
+About the destroyer came, playing her searchlight on the waters. The
+tell-tale oil patches were there, showing only too plainly that two
+submarine craft had been destroyed.
+
+"Apparently one craft carried no mines, while the other was loaded with
+them," said Dave to his executive officer. "Fernald, I think I'm
+beginning to get an idea of the way the enemy are working their
+mine-laying game. If I'm right we'll make a record along this patch of
+shoals while the hunting lasts."
+
+Patiently Fernald listened and waited, but did not speak. He hoped to
+hear what his chief's idea was, but it was not the executive officer's
+place to ask for it.
+
+"I may even be able to figure out when the best time would be for hunting
+these lazy rascals resting on the bottom," Darrin continued.
+
+Mr. Fernald began to show signs of a more active curiosity.
+
+"But I won't say much about it," Darrin smiled, "until I've more data to
+work on and have proved some part of my theory."
+
+Lieutenant Fernald looked so much like a man who wished to speak that
+Dave laughed.
+
+"Out with it, Fernald," he urged good-humoredly. "You've an idea, too.
+You may tell me if you wish."
+
+"Why, sir," replied the executive officer, "I've about concluded that the
+enemy mine-laying submarines do not go back to base port for more mines.
+They have some method for delivering them near here, and thus the
+mine-layers are able to keep more steadily at work."
+
+"That fits in excellently with my idea," Darrin nodded.
+
+"And that would account for the great numbers of mines that the enemy is
+able to lay hereabouts, and yet not have many of the craft caught by us,"
+Lieutenant Fernald continued.
+
+"Exactly," Dave agreed. "Moreover, the mine-layers take on their new
+supplies at night, and do their resting here at night, and get away from
+these shoals just before daylight."
+
+"Of course," Fernald agreed. "If they rested here much in the daytime the
+aircraft would discover and destroy them."
+
+"We'll both keep at work on our ideas, Fernald," Dave proposed. "Besides,
+we can take time to find facts to support our theories. Then we can get
+together and start in the biggest smashing of mine-laying craft on
+record."
+
+Both paused in their talk to listen to the sudden boom of guns. Judged by
+the sound and the wind, the firing was some six miles away.
+
+"Lookout there!" Darrin sang out. "Do you see anything?"
+
+"Yes, sir," came the reply from aloft. "It must be the 'Reed,' sir. She
+must have gotten into something stiff, for she's moving shoreward at
+slow speed and firing as fast as she can serve her guns. She's firing in
+shoreward, sir."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+HITTING CLOSE TO THE SALT TRAIL
+
+
+"GIVE us a rocket signal if you need help," Dave signalled the attendant
+mine-sweeper.
+
+Then to the officer of the watch:
+
+"Give us full speed, and we'll run down to see if the 'Reed' has work
+enough for two of our kind."
+
+A little further south he signalled same orders to the patrol boat that
+he had given to the mine-sweeper.
+
+Then the "Grigsby" rushed onward as if she scented something of which she
+did not wish her crew to be deprived.
+
+As soon as Darrin discovered that Dalzell was using his searchlight he
+ordered the "Grigsby's" also to be used. Over the waters the bar of light
+swept until it picked up a sight that made the officers on the bridge
+gasp for sheer astonishment.
+
+Two submarines, some five hundred yards apart, lay on the surface of the
+sea.
+
+Strangest part of all, neither craft was serving its guns. Why they
+neither fought nor dived puzzled the "Grigsby's" officers until the
+"Reed's" guns ceased firing and her blinkers signalled to Dave:
+
+"Don't fire on them unless I do. They're helpless."
+
+The "Reed," first to approach the submarines, steamed in between them.
+Then as the "Grigsby" raced up, she received this message from Dalzell:
+
+"Wish you would take charge of the nearer submarine. I'll handle the
+other."
+
+On both enemy craft, as seen under the searchlight, the German crews had
+come out on deck. It was clear that they wished to surrender without
+further loss of life.
+
+So Dave ordered a launch cleared away, with a prize crew armed to the
+teeth, Ensign Andrews in command.
+
+"You men get as far forward as possible," Andrews shouted to the huddled
+enemy. "Be careful not to have any weapons about you. We'll accept you as
+prisoners of war, but any attempt at treachery will be sternly punished!"
+
+As he spoke the ensign rested one hand on the barrel of a machine gun in
+the launch's bow. Instantly the Germans began to move forward, only their
+four officers remaining near the conning tower.
+
+"Stand by to catch a line and make fast," called the ensign, as the
+launch, under headway, lay in close.
+
+Though they plainly understood, not one of the German officers made a
+move to catch a rope. Instead, one of them called to the huddled seamen,
+two of whom came back to take the line.
+
+Making fast, Andrews stepped aboard, followed by some of his armed crew.
+
+"You are the only officers of this craft?" Andrews demanded.
+
+"Yes," sullenly replied the ober-lieutenant.
+
+"Be good enough to hold up your hands while we search you."
+
+Though their eyes flashed their rage, the German officers raised their
+hands while a petty officer "frisked" them one after the other.
+
+"None of them armed, sir," was the report.
+
+"Then into the launch with them. Next, order the seamen and
+engine-tenders aft and search them. The launch will carry about twenty
+prisoners on the first trip."
+
+Soon the score of prisoners had been delivered aboard the "Grigsby." A
+second lot was sent over, after which Andrews decided that he could take
+charge of the remainder on their own craft. He now had force enough with
+him to keep this unarmed remainder in subjection.
+
+Heading an armed party the ensign went below in the submarine to make an
+inspection. He had already noted a shell-hole through the hull which had
+made it impossible for this submarine to dive without drowning the crew.
+But he found other matters to interest him. This was a mine-layer craft,
+and at the present moment she had more than twenty mines on board.
+
+One of Dalzell's junior officers, searching the other submarine, found
+her to be a mine-layer, too, but with only two mines on board. This
+second craft, also, had been pierced through the hull in such fashion
+that there had been no chance for her to escape by submerging.
+
+On each craft forward a crane had been set up, and still stood. Dan
+Dalzell's report, when made, shed a good deal of light on German methods.
+
+The "Reed" had been barely drifting when two submarines had come up
+within two miles of the destroyer. It was the noise of erecting the
+cranes that had warned Dalzell's watch officer of their presence there on
+the dark sea.
+
+Suddenly, through night glasses, Dan, who had been called to the bridge,
+discovered what was taking place. On the quiet waters of this night the
+two craft had managed to get near enough to each other to attempt to
+transfer mines from one to the other.
+
+Then it was that the "Reed" had opened fire with her guns, had turned on
+her searchlight and had rushed in.
+
+As soon as the German commanders found their boats punctured into
+helplessness they had signalled their surrender.
+
+"But I was glad indeed when I saw you bearing down on us," Dan announced,
+when he visited his chum a little later. "The enemy had surrendered, but
+I know enough of German treachery to realize that they might let me drive
+in close and then try to torpedo me. I needn't have worried, but of
+course I could not afford to take chances."
+
+Sending for Boatswain's Mate Runkle, Dave inquired:
+
+"Do you speak German?"
+
+"I know about six words, sir; not as many as eight."
+
+"Then you are the man for the job, Runkle. Go down among the prisoners
+that have been sent on board, the seamen, I mean, not the officers. Act
+as though you were there on duty, but not very busy. Use your six words
+of German and make English do for the rest. The German sailors won't
+understand you, unless some of them speak English. That will be all the
+better, for as soon as you discover that some of the men don't know what
+you are saying you will be able to judge which of those who speak no
+English are the most stupid, or the most likely to talk and tell us the
+truth. Spot three or four of these stupid ones, and then bring one of
+them here to the chart-room."
+
+"Now, what on earth does the 'Old Man' want?" wondered Runkle, as he
+started away on this errand. "But never mind. Even if I can't guess what
+he wants it's a cinch that he knows. The stupidest one, eh? I wonder why
+any Fritz wouldn't do, then!"
+
+Runkle found his man within five minutes, detached him from the other
+prisoners, and led him to the chart-room. Darrin tried his own German on
+the fellow, asking:
+
+"Your craft had just arrived from the base port?"
+
+The man stared, then slowly nodded.
+
+"How many mines did you have on board when you left the base port?"
+
+"Thirty, I heard."
+
+"You planted some on the way?"
+
+"A few, so I heard."
+
+"Most of the mines you were to deliver here tonight?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"How many trips a week has your craft been making between here and the
+base port?"
+
+"Usually about four."
+
+"Did you always deliver, here, to the same mine-layer?"
+
+"No; that was as it happened. Sometimes to one boat, sometimes to
+another."
+
+"How many mines could your craft carry?"
+
+"Thirty."
+
+As this agreed with the information supplied by Ensign Andrews, Dave
+believed that the seaman was telling the truth.
+
+"Did your craft always come to these same waters to deliver mines to
+mine-layers?"
+
+"Always, since I have been aboard, to some one of the shoals in this
+stretch of them," replied the sailor.
+
+"Do you know how many mine-layers wait over here on the English side to
+have mines delivered to them?"
+
+"No, but they are not so many."
+
+"A few, supplied four times a week, can plant a lot of mines," quizzed
+Darrin.
+
+"Oh, yes."
+
+"And the craft you were aboard was one of the smaller ones that brought
+cargoes of mines. Your people have some that carry much larger numbers of
+mines?"
+
+"Yes, and the larger boats that bring mines over to the real mine-layers
+travel faster under water than our boat did."
+
+"So that these larger boats can make at least five round trips a week?"
+Dave asked.
+
+"Oh, yes."
+
+"You have not told me the name of your base port," Darrin went on.
+
+"And I don't intend to," retorted the seaman. "You are asking me too
+many questions. I should not have said as much as I did, and I shall not
+answer any more questions."
+
+"You do not need to," Dave assured him. "I already know the answers to a
+lot of questions that I might have asked you. But you look like a
+reasonable fellow, and also like a fellow fond of some of the good things
+of life. Had I found you more ready to talk I might have arranged for you
+to have a pleasanter time in the English prison than your mates will
+have."
+
+"A pleasanter time until the hangman called for us?" demanded the German,
+a cunning look coming into his eyes.
+
+"The hangman?" Darrin repeated.
+
+"Oh, yes! I know! We all know. The English hang the crews of German
+submarines. Our officers have told us all about it. You are wrong, too,
+to hang us, for it is the knowledge that the English will hang us that
+makes us fight more desperately when we are attacked."
+
+"But the English will not hang you. You and your mates will be treated as
+prisoners of war," Darrin assured him. "You will be well fed. You will
+have some amusements. When spring comes you will have gardens to work in
+and the flowers or vegetables that you raise will belong to you. It is a
+stupid lie to tell you that the English hang you all. You will soon be on
+shore, and in an English prison camp, and then you will know that you
+have been lied to. You will enjoy finding yourself on shore, for you were
+not often allowed to go ashore when you got back from these trips to take
+on your next mine cargo at--"
+
+It was a simple trap, but as Darrin paused, the seaman replied:
+
+"No, we were not often allowed ashore in ----," naming the port.
+
+The port that the seaman mentioned was the one Darrin had been trying to
+get him to name. The German had unwittingly allowed himself to name the
+base port from which the mines were shipped. As soon as the German
+realized his blunder he used some bad language.
+
+"That is all," said Dave Darrin. "You may go back to your mates, and by
+daylight you will know that an English military prison is not at all a
+bad place."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+TRYING OUT THE BIG, NEW PLAN
+
+
+"YOU see," Dave nodded to his brother officers, "the theory we had worked
+out about the method of supplying mines to the submarine layers was the
+right one. I think that we shall be able to show some results to the
+admiral."
+
+Dan was then instructed to remain to keep watch over the shoals, while
+the "Grigsby" soon afterwards started for port, escorting the two prizes.
+
+Before daylight the captured under-sea boats were duly turned over to the
+British authorities. Darrin then sought the admiral, and, despite the
+lateness of the hour, he was soon admitted.
+
+"What do you need for your enterprise?" inquired the admiral after
+listening attentively to the plan Dave had unfolded to him.
+
+"Nothing but a dirigible, commanded by the right man," Dave explained.
+
+"That ought not to be difficult," declared the British officer. "You
+shall have what you want. Now, suppose we go over the chart, to make sure
+that I understand just what you propose to do."
+
+On the map Darrin traced the course that he felt sure the German
+underseas craft pursued when bringing cargoes of mines to the other
+submarines that were laying mines in British waters.
+
+"That would be the natural course for such craft to take," agreed Admiral
+Wheatleigh. "I trust that you are right in your surmises. If you are, we
+should have some excellent results within the next few days."
+
+"I shall know, sir, within forty-eight hours, and I think it likely that
+the enemy will also hear something about it within the next few days. At
+least, sir, the German admiralty should be able to guess."
+
+Dave took his leave, hastening back to the "Grigsby," which, an hour
+later, weighed anchor and stood out to sea. By that time Dave was sound
+asleep, for he had been through a great deal and was sorely in need of
+rest before he reached the scene of his intended activities.
+
+Some hours later he was called, and was soon on the bridge.
+
+"You are at the point at which you wished to be called," said Fernald
+when Dave reached the bridge.
+
+"And you will do well to seek your own rest now, Mr. Fernald," Darrin
+answered. "You can be called, if needed."
+
+Half an hour later Darrin made out, in the sky astern, a tiny speck that
+rapidly came closer, and proved to be the dirigible sent at his request.
+
+As the dirigible came nearer signals were rapidly exchanged. The course
+for the aircraft was made plain. As for the "Grigsby," her speed was
+slowed down to mere headway and she loafed over the waters.
+
+Two hours passed during which the "blimp" aloft sailed rapidly to and fro
+in the sky, zig-zagging over the course in a way that covered several
+square miles in an hour.
+
+"She's found something, sir!" cried Ensign Andrews.
+
+"She has sighted a craft, bound over the course we had suspected," said
+Darrin, as signals broke out rapidly from the car under the big gas bag.
+"We'll let the submarine get by us before we start in chase."
+
+Another half hour passed, for, though the dirigible moved swiftly, the
+underseas craft she was watching was moving only at submerged speed.
+
+Then the chase led on past the "Grigsby." Purposely Darrin allowed it to
+go by him by about a mile ere he joined in the pursuit. Starting at half
+speed ahead he soon changed it to full speed.
+
+And now the dirigible had slowed down, until she was travelling, as her
+signals stated, at just the speed of the submerged craft directly under
+her.
+
+"We'll go in by the stern and try to make a quick job of it," Darrin
+proposed, as he gave Andrews final instructions, and turned to see that
+the signalman with his flag stood well aft on the superstructure.
+
+As the destroyer raced in almost under the dirigible Darrin raised his
+right hand. The signalman with the flag did the same.
+
+Just as the "Grigsby's" bridge passed in under the tail of the aircraft
+Dave Darrin read the signal for which he had waited. The airmen were
+telling him that the bridge of his craft was almost over the bow of the
+hidden enemy beneath.
+
+Down came Dave's raised hand. Seeing it fall, the signalman let his flag
+drop.
+
+In that same instant the depth bomb was released for its course over the
+"Grigsby's" stern.
+
+Almost in the same second there sounded a terrific if muffled report
+under the surface. The water rose in three distinct columns, lifting the
+stern of the "Grigsby" and almost burying her bow under.
+
+It was as though a great geyser and an earthquake had met. Columns like
+waterspouts hurled themselves across and over the reeling destroyer. Even
+when the "Grigsby's" nose came out and up once more the destroyer rocked
+in the near tidal wave that the swift series of explosions had produced.
+
+"Pardon me, sir," begged Ensign Andrews, when he had regained control of
+himself. "I feel constrained to remark, sir, that you appear to know how
+to get all the thrills out of life."
+
+"We must have landed right over a mine cargo once more," Dave answered
+smiling. "There were several explosions, but they came nearly together.
+One of these days we'll start something like that that will send us up
+half a mile into the air. But it's great sport, Andrews, especially when
+you pause to think what it all means."
+
+"Great sport for us, but too sudden for the Huns," rejoined the watch
+officer. "They cannot have had the satisfaction, even, of realizing that
+anything had hit them."
+
+Satisfied that there would be no more underseas explosions, Darrin gave
+the order to come about.
+
+That the underseas craft had been struck was indicated clearly enough by
+the patches of oil on the water. The force of the explosion told the
+Yankee tars that the craft must have been blown into bits.
+
+"Best thing I ever saw done!" signalled the British officer in command of
+the "blimp."
+
+"Find us another, and we'll try to show you something just as good,"
+Darrin caused to be signalled back.
+
+Fernald, who had been called, having reported, was sent with the chief
+engineer to make a hull inspection below decks. Though some of the hull
+plates had been dented inward enough to attract attention, no leak could
+be found. The "Grigsby" was as seaworthy as ever, though after that
+rocking shock this seemed a marvel.
+
+Off in the distance the "blimp" soon became a mere speck to the watchful
+eyes of those on the destroyer.
+
+Dave directed that the aircraft be followed at cruising speed so long as
+she remained in sight. When the dirigible was at last lost to view the
+destroyer lay to, her lookouts using their glasses.
+
+"Think the aircraft is coming back, sir," reported a lookout from the
+military mast.
+
+From where he stood on the bridge Darrin could make out nothing for
+several minutes, though in the interval the lookout aloft reported that
+he could make out the "blimp" with surety, and that she appeared to be
+flying a signal, though he could not see what it was.
+
+Then from the bridge the "blimp" became visible. A little later, too, the
+flag signal could be seen and read.
+
+"Following another submarine," was what the signal said.
+
+Going to starboard of the course Darrin advanced at ordinary speed to
+meet the "blimp," which, as in the former case, was flying just barely
+astern of the hidden monster, so that the forward British airman lookout
+could discern the shape of the craft that was being pursued.
+
+Dave waited until the dirigible had passed. He then gave the order, "Full
+speed ahead," and came about behind the "blimp."
+
+Leaping forward the "Grigsby" gave chase, the "blimp" at the same time
+moving up directly over the intended prey.
+
+At the drop of the flag above, Darrin let go his right hand, the
+signalman transmitted the order, and the bomb rolled overboard.
+
+As Dave's hand fell the watch officer advanced the lever of the
+engine-room telegraph. An extra jump was put into the speed.
+
+Again a column of water rose astern, but this time there was only the
+normal explosion of the depth bomb.
+
+"Good hit," said the dirigible, by radio, and the message was called up
+to the bridge. "Saw her stagger. She's done for."
+
+The "blimp" veered off once more, going back over her late course. As the
+"Grigsby" went about Darrin made out the tell-tale spread of oil on the
+waves.
+
+"This is the real form of hunting," he exclaimed.
+
+"Too bad, sir, that none of us thought of it before," remarked Ensign
+Andrews.
+
+"We had to wait and learn," Dave explained. "That's the way that all
+progress in this war has been registered. We are fighting an ingenious
+enemy. Destroying the submarine mine-carriers, as we are doing today,
+won't end the planting of German mines. As soon as the enemy finds out
+how we are checkmating him he'll invent another scheme, which we'll have
+to discover before we can beat it."
+
+Half an hour later the British aircraft located a third submarine.
+
+"A big one, too," she signalled. "Following the same course."
+
+"Mr. 'Blimp' might try a bomb himself," suggested Ensign Andrews. "I
+believe he carries a few."
+
+"Not as powerful ones as we carry," Darrin answered. "Besides, he has to
+be at a greater altitude, when hunting submarines, than it's handy to
+drop a bomb from. There is too much margin of chance that the enemy craft
+will graze by when the bomb is dropped from the air. In our case, if we
+drop when directly over the Hun, there can hardly be a miss, and it's the
+dirigible's business to tell us when we are directly over the enemy."
+
+In the meantime, on board the destroyer, all was made ready, and Dave
+followed the same tactics as before. This time, too, there was a normal
+explosion, though a solid hit was made and the submarine destroyed. Apart
+from the "blimp's" report there could be no doubt as to the destruction.
+The spread of oil on the surface of the sea told the story.
+
+"If you and we hurry, we may bag another before dark," Dave sent by
+wireless, as the aircraft started back again.
+
+"We'll do our best, believe us!" came back the word.
+
+In the late afternoon a slight haze came up, which gradually deepened.
+
+Darrin followed for a few miles, keeping the "blimp" in sight. She was
+some six miles away when a radio message came from her in code in these
+words:
+
+"Can you see steamship about four knots north-west of us?"
+
+Dave challenged the lookout on the military mast, but that seaman
+reported the weather a bit too thick to enable him to make out the
+steamship. Darrin accordingly wirelessed back this information.
+
+"Looks like a tramp steamer," came the next message, "but she acted
+suspiciously when she sighted us. Her skipper appears perturbed, which he
+would hardly be if his business is honest. Weather is thickening so we
+may lose him in the haze. Better close in."
+
+"Will do so," Dave replied.
+
+Then followed explicit directions as to the course the destroyer must
+follow.
+
+The next code message from the airship was:
+
+"Skipper of steamship so bothered that he appears to be rigging
+anti-aircraft gun. Am about to signal him to stop for search."
+
+Despite the haze over the sea the "blimp's" movements could still be made
+out from the deck of the destroyer. Mast lookouts and those on bridge and
+deck followed the "blimp's" movements with keen interest.
+
+"He maneuvers as if he were closing in on the steamship," declared Ensign
+Andrews.
+
+"If the steamer's skipper uses anti-aircraft guns the dirigible's
+commander will be justified in dropping bombs," Dave returned. "It's a
+stupid piece of business for any lightly armed steamer to attempt to
+resist a 'blimp.' But of course the steamer's skipper does not know that
+there is a warship so close."
+
+"The rascal's firing on us," reported the "blimp."
+
+"If you'll keep back we'll close in and talk to the stranger," Darrin
+suggested, by wireless.
+
+"We're hit," almost instantly came the report from the airship.
+
+"Badly?" Dave asked by radio.
+
+"Investigating. Report soon."
+
+"That ship must be up to something extremely desperate to dare to fire on
+a British 'blimp'!" exclaimed Dave Darrin. "But we're getting close, and
+soon ought to know what we have to tackle!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+STRIKING A REAL SURPRISE
+
+
+"ARE we heading straight course?" was Dave's next question through the
+air.
+
+"You're going straight," came the cheering information.
+
+"Found out your hurt?"
+
+"Yes; gas-bag intact, and we've withdrawn out of easy range. One motor
+damaged more than we can repair in air. Can limp home, however."
+
+"Leave the steamship to me," Darrin wirelessed back.
+
+Inside of another minute and a half, Darrin made out the mast-tops of the
+stranger sticking up from the fringe of haze as the cloudy, reddish
+curtain shifted.
+
+If Dave had sighted his intended prey, so had the stranger caught sight
+of the destroyer. The steamship cut a wide circle and turned tail.
+
+"He's going at nineteen knots, we judge," came the radio report from the
+"blimp."
+
+"That won't do him any good!" was the laconic answer that Darrin
+returned, this time in plain English instead of code.
+
+The lower masts, the stack and then the hull of the stranger became
+visible as Darrin gained on him.
+
+Bang! A shell struck the water ahead of the stranger, the war-ship's
+world-wide signal to halt.
+
+Instead, the stranger appeared to be trying to crowd on more speed.
+
+"Give him one in the stern-post," Darrin ordered.
+
+The shell fell just a few feet short. The third one landed on the
+after-part of the stranger's deck-house.
+
+And now there went fluttering up the top of the destroyer's mast the
+international code signal:
+
+"Stop or we'll sink you!"
+
+It took another shell, this one crashing through the stern of the
+stranger, to convince her skipper that the destroyer was in deadly
+earnest.
+
+By this time the "Grigsby" was a bare half-mile away, and going fast.
+
+"We're bringing to bear on you to blow you out of the water," Darrin
+signalled this time. "Will you stop?"
+
+If he had made any plan to die fighting the fleeing skipper must have
+lost his nerve at that point, for he suddenly swung his bow around,
+reduced speed and moved ahead at mere steerage-way.
+
+"Call Ensign Peters to clear away a launch with an armed crew," Darrin
+directed. "I will accompany him, for I must see what reason that craft
+had for firing on a British dirigible."
+
+On either bow of the strange steamship was painted the national flag of
+the same neutral nation to which the "Olga" had appeared to belong. She
+flew no bunting.
+
+"Stand by to receive boarding party," a signalman on the "Grigsby's"
+bridge wigwagged as the launch started toward the water.
+
+The two craft lay now not more than five hundred yards apart. Across the
+water sped the fast power launch and came up alongside of the unknown
+steamship, which displayed no name.
+
+Not a human being was now visible on her deck. An undersized watch
+officer had appeared on the bridge, but he now vanished.
+
+"Who commands that destroyer?" demanded a voice in English, though it had
+the broken accent of a German-born speaker.
+
+"I do," Darrin replied.
+
+"Then stay where you are, for you're covered!" ordered the same voice in
+a frenzied tone. "We're not going to have you aboard. Signal the
+destroyer to make off at top speed and we'll leave you when she is out of
+sight. Refuse, and we kill you at once. Refuse, and you lose your life."
+
+"Lower your gangway, and stop your nonsense," Dave ordered, angrily.
+"You're dealing with the United States Navy, and your orders cannot
+control our conduct."
+
+"Then you are a dead man, at once!" declared the voice of the unseen
+speaker.
+
+Unnoticed by others, Darrin had given a hand signal to a petty officer in
+the bow of the launch.
+
+"If you do not lower your side gangway at once, we shall find our own
+means for boarding," Dave shouted, wrathfully. "Instantly, sir!"
+
+Thereupon half a dozen heads appeared over a bulwark above. As many rifle
+muzzles were thrust over the edge of the bulwark and a prompt fire began.
+
+Disdaining to draw his automatic Darrin stood up in the launch, the
+center of such a hail of bullets that his continued existence seemed
+incredible. Above the reports of the rifles could be heard the voice of
+Ensign Peters as he directed the swinging around of the launch.
+
+R-r-r-r-rip! The launch's machine gun came swiftly into play. Bullets
+rattled against the iron sides of the ship.
+
+Four of the six seamen on her deck were seen to fall back; the remaining
+two fled as fast as they could go.
+
+Then the muzzle of the machine gun was swung, and a hundred little
+missiles were driven through the wheel-house.
+
+At an unspoken signal the launch moved in until a sailor in the bow
+could hurl upward an iron grappling hook. At the first cast it caught on
+at the top of the rail, while the machine gunners trained their weapon to
+"get" any one who endeavored to cast off the grapple.
+
+"Up with you!" shouted Darrin. One after another half a dozen sailors
+raced up the rope, swinging over to the deck.
+
+Dave followed next, then more seamen. All were armed and ready for
+instant work of the sternest kind.
+
+Two sailors lay dead, rifles beside them. Pools of blood showed that at
+least two more wounded men had been there, but had fled. No one else
+belonging to the ship was in sight on deck.
+
+"Boatswain's mate, take the bridge," ordered Dave, as more men came up on
+board. "Put two men in the wheel-house. Take command of the deck with
+such men as I do not take with me."
+
+Calling half a dozen seamen, and ordering them to draw their automatic
+revolvers, Darrin proceeded to the chart-room. He tried the door, but
+found it locked.
+
+"Break it down," he ordered, and in a jiffy the thing had been done. But
+the chart-room proved to be empty.
+
+Further aft Darrin went along the deck-house. The cabins of the captain
+and two mates were found to be empty.
+
+"We'll soon know where the crew have gone to," he remarked.
+
+In the dining-room were found three men in dingy blue uniforms, who
+appeared to be ship's officers. The oldest, who scowled hardest at the
+same time, Dave took to be the skipper.
+
+"You command this ship?" Darrin inquired.
+
+"If you say so," replied the man addressed.
+
+"You must, for you are the fellow who ordered me to send my ship away,"
+Darrin smiled grimly. "Are you a German?"
+
+"None of your business. Why have you killed two of our crew and hurt
+others?"
+
+"Drop that nonsense," Darrin retorted, sternly. "You know why we fired on
+you. And your men slightly wounded two of mine."
+
+"We had a right to," scowled the other.
+
+"You'll know better, by the time you've reached a British prison," Dave
+rejoined. "Men, place these three fellows under arrest. Search them."
+
+Only the man who appeared to be the craft's master resisted being
+searched. He swung at one of the sailors, but Darrin jumped in, knocking
+him down and holding him to the floor.
+
+"Put irons on this scoundrel," he ordered, sharply, a command so quickly
+obeyed that almost instantly the defiant one found himself manacled. Then
+Dave yanked the fellow to his feet.
+
+"You are a bully," growled the prisoner.
+
+"I am," mocked Dave, "when I have fellows of your stripe to handle. Men,
+you'd better iron that pair, too. They belong to the same outfit."
+
+None of the three proved to have any arms on his person.
+
+"Now, where are the members of your crew?" Dave demanded of the manacled
+skipper.
+
+"Find them!" came the surly retort.
+
+"In what business is this ship engaged?"
+
+"Find out!"
+
+"Bring these prisoners out on deck," Darrin commanded. Then, as the order
+was obeyed, Darrin made his way to the bridge.
+
+"Boatswain's mate, pipe all hands on deck," he directed.
+
+Shrilly the whistle sounded at the lips of the petty officer. But no men
+came to answer.
+
+"We'll try other tactics, then," Darrin smiled.
+
+Stepping to the wheel-house door he pulled it open. Inside was evidence
+of the havoc that the machine gun fire had worked there. Everything had
+been riddled, including the helmsman, who lay dead on the floor.
+
+At this moment, however, Dave had no time to do more than glance at the
+dead man. Reaching for the whistle he blew a long blast, and caused the
+fire bell to be rung, the signal to stand by to abandon ship.
+
+That brought seamen and stokers trooping to the deck, until more than
+thirty had so appeared.
+
+"Does any man among you understand English?" Darrin called down as he
+leaned over the rail in front of the wheel-house.
+
+"I do," came from one of the crew.
+
+"Then inform your mates that this craft has been seized as lawful prize
+of the United States Navy. Where is your boatswain?"
+
+"That's me," said the same speaker, gruffly.
+
+"Very good. Deliver my message to the crew. Then make sure that all hands
+are on deck. If you deceive me you will be held sternly to account for
+trickery."
+
+"All here," reported the boatswain, after a quick count, "except the cook
+and his helpers."
+
+"Send for them, and tell them to report here at once."
+
+When the ship's force had been summoned, save for the two sailors known
+to be dead on the starboard side of the ship, Darrin continued:
+
+"There were some wounded men."
+
+"Two," said the boatswain.
+
+"Where are they?"
+
+"Below. One is badly hurt. The other is binding his wounds."
+
+Dave had by this time walked down on to the deck. There was a forecastle
+large enough to hold the crew, and he ordered all of the men into it,
+except the boatswain, whom he sent with three of his own men to find the
+wounded. These latter two were brought to the captain's cabin. The two
+dead seamen, after Darrin had gained their names from the boatswain, were
+picked up and thrown overboard into the sea. The boatswain was then sent
+to join the prisoners.
+
+"Four of you men come with me, and we'll search the rest of the cabin
+part of the ship," Darrin directed.
+
+Off the dining room were four doors that Dave believed opened into
+sleeping cabins. The first door that Darrin tried proved to be locked.
+One of his men carried a sledge-hammer that had been found in the
+wheel-house.
+
+"Batter down the door!" Dave ordered.
+
+Ere this order could be carried out the door flew open. A tall young
+woman, barely more than twenty years of age, stood in the doorway, her
+head thrown back, cheeks flushed, her look proud and disdainful. In her
+right hand she held a revolver.
+
+"Go away from here!" she ordered. "Else I shall kill you!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+THE GOOD WORK GOES ON
+
+
+"YOU will have to lower that pistol, young lady," warned Dave, calmly, as
+he walked toward her. The sailors had drawn back to either side of the
+doorway, but the young woman stood where she could aim at anyone in the
+American party.
+
+The seaman nearest the revolver glanced quickly at Darrin, as if to
+inquire whether he should make an attempt to seize her pistol wrist and
+wrench the weapon away.
+
+But Dave ignored the man's glance as he stepped up, eyeing the young
+woman coolly.
+
+"Lower the pistol," he warned, again. "If you tried to use it, it would
+tell against you hard, before an English court, and these are wartimes,
+you know."
+
+He was now within two feet of the weapon, which was pointed at his head.
+
+"I shall kill you if you try to come near me," the young woman insisted
+desperately.
+
+But Dave took another step. She pulled the trigger. There was a bright
+flash, a loud report.
+
+[Illustration: "Lower that pistol!"]
+
+Dave, however, had been watching that trigger finger. As he saw it
+stiffen he dropped suddenly almost to his knees, the bullet passing over
+his head and embedding itself in woodwork across the cabin.
+
+Darrin sprang up unharmed. His cap had caught a powder burn; that was
+all. He gripped the woman's wrist in a hand of steel. With his other hand
+he coolly took the pistol away from her, then dropped her wrist.
+
+Bursting into a fit of hysterical weeping the woman drew back,
+endeavoring to close the cabin door. But Darrin's foot across the sill
+defeated her purpose.
+
+"You are a brute!" she panted, frantically trying to close the door.
+
+"At least," he assured her, "I have saved you from a crime that would
+have cost you your own life. Look out, please, for I am going to throw
+your door wide open."
+
+"You--you coward!" she panted, and struggled to close the door.
+
+"Stand back! I am sorry to have to use force, but you compel it."
+
+As she refused to give ground Darrin gave the door a push that forced her
+back, crowding her against a berth. Then he stepped into the little
+cabin.
+
+In a lower berth lay a middle-aged woman whose piercing black eyes
+snapped as she surveyed the young naval officer.
+
+"You are a wretch, to intrude here!" cried the older woman.
+
+"One must often do disagreeable things in the line of war duty," Darrin
+answered, gravely. "For one thing, I must place you both in arrest. Then
+I shall be obliged to have your cabin searched."
+
+"Oh, if I but had a weapon!" cried the older woman.
+
+"If you had, and were quick enough," Dave assured her, "you might succeed
+in killing me, but that would not affect our duty here, for there are
+other officers at hand. Madam, I perceive that you are fully dressed, so
+I must ask you to rise and leave this cabin, for a few minutes, at
+least."
+
+"I shall not do it," she snapped.
+
+"Then you will oblige me to call my men in, and they will remove you,
+using no unnecessary violence, you may be sure, yet employing force just
+the same."
+
+"You coward!"
+
+The younger woman, too, started in to berate him, but Dave remained calm.
+
+"Will you, at least, not leave the room until I have risen?" demanded the
+older woman.
+
+Darrin, who had a notion that the women wanted to conceal or destroy
+something, nodded his assent, but signed to two of the seamen to enter.
+Under his instructions they took the door off its hinges, carried it
+outside and laid it on the floor of the dining cabin.
+
+"Now, ladies," Dave called, as he stepped outside, "you will be good
+enough to come out at once."
+
+"We will come at our good convenience!" snapped the older woman.
+
+"Wrong again. As I am discharging my duty here, you will necessarily come
+out at once. I shall not be patient if my instructions are defied."
+
+Plainly furious that the door could not be closed, the younger woman
+assisted the older one to rise from the berth. Then, both expressing
+their resentment in their glances, the two women came out of the cabin.
+
+"Mother and daughter," guessed Dave.
+
+"Where will you have us sit, Brute?" demanded the younger woman.
+
+"Take any seat in this dining cabin that you please," he replied. "You
+must sit together, and one of my men will stand before you."
+
+Seats having been taken by the women, Darrin, calling one of the sailors
+to him, entered the little cabin. The only baggage there, beyond a hand
+satchel, appeared to be a locked steamer trunk under the lower berth.
+
+"Take that outside," Dave directed. "It need not be investigated until we
+reach port."
+
+Two dressing sacks and a few toilet articles were all the personal
+belongings that could be found there, though Darrin did not stop until he
+and the seaman had inspected pillows, mattresses and all other places
+that might have concealed papers or other little belongings.
+
+Coming outside after some minutes Darrin asked:
+
+"Ladies, do you wish to remain in the dining room, or will you go back to
+your sleeping cabin?"
+
+"We will remain here for the present," replied the older woman. "If we
+wish to return to our own cabin later on we will do so."
+
+"Wrong again," Dave informed her. "You must remain in one place. There
+can be no roaming about. This seaman who is your guard will see that you
+remain where you are for the present. I cannot permit you to leave this
+part of the dining room. Ladies, I regret being obliged to be so
+disagreeable, but I beg to assure you that your rights will be respected,
+and that you shall come to no harm if you obey instructions."
+
+Then he looked into the other three cabins, but found them empty. With
+that Darrin left the dining room, after detailing another seaman to
+remain on duty there with the guard over the two women.
+
+Darrin's next care was to inspect the holds. Here he found a cargo that
+appeared to consist of hundreds of cases of dried fish. At random he
+selected one of the cases, had it carried to the deck, and ordered that
+it be opened. Its contents proved to be dried fish.
+
+"There is something worse than that on board, or the skipper would not
+have acted so much like a lunatic," Dave told himself.
+
+Next inspecting the engine room and stoke hole he found these departments
+in order, though the fires under the boilers would soon need attention.
+
+Going above, Dave called the stokers and engineers out from among the
+prisoners, told them that he intended to send them to their posts, and
+asked them if they would pledge themselves to obey all orders and bridge
+signals, and not attempt any treachery.
+
+This promise was quickly given.
+
+"I hope you will all keep your word," Dave added, firmly, "for, if any of
+you attempts treachery, he will be shot down where he stands. I shall
+post guards."
+
+He posted two of his men in the engine-room, and four in the stoke-hole.
+
+"Be vigilant, and don't stand any nonsense," he ordered.
+
+Returning to deck he gave his final orders to Ensign Peters, who had come
+on board and relieved the boatswain's mate.
+
+"We are going to take this ship through to our base port," he informed
+the ensign. "You will command, and will use the petty officers as you
+need them. I shall require but three of the launch crew to take me back
+to the 'Grigsby.' You have sufficient force here, Mr. Peters, but we
+shall stand by and so be ready to give any assistance you may need. Keep
+yourself informed as to the comfort and conduct of the women prisoners in
+the dining cabin, and do not permit them to be annoyed by your men. They
+must have no chance, though, to destroy or conceal any papers they may
+have on their persons."
+
+With that Darrin went over the side. The launch took him back to his own
+craft.
+
+Overhead the "blimp" moved slowly about. While her commander was sure he
+could reach England safely he preferred to remain in company that could
+rescue his crew and himself if it became necessary.
+
+"Who can the women be?" Lieutenant Fernald wondered, when he had heard
+Dave's account of the visit to the steamship.
+
+"I don't know. But their conduct, like the skipper's, is the main cause
+of their predicament. Had they behaved naturally I would have guessed
+them to be passengers from a neutral port to England. All I can say is
+that, though they speak English well, I am sure that they are not
+Englishwomen."
+
+"The younger woman is a beauty, you say?"
+
+"Yes, and her mother, if the older woman be such, is not at all
+unprepossessing."
+
+The two ships and their aerial companion were now headed toward Darrin's
+base port, traveling at a good rate of speed.
+
+It was well along in the evening when they passed the "Reed." In code
+Dalzell exultantly reported that an unusually large number of mines had
+been swept and removed from the water, and that two submarines had been
+located on the middle shoal and destroyed.
+
+"Good work!" Dave wirelessed back.
+
+Late that night, the "blimp" still leading the way, the destroyer and her
+prize entered the base port.
+
+As soon as they had come to anchor Darrin communicated with the British
+flag-ship. Officials promptly went aboard the steamer to attend to the
+removal to a prison on shore of the officers and crew of the steamship,
+and of the women passengers as well.
+
+Immediately after that the ship was subjected to a systematic search by
+seamen and longshoremen acting under the direction of British naval
+officers.
+
+A name-plate, ready to fit to the front of the wheel-house, was found.
+The craft proved to be the "Louisa," well known in a certain British
+port at which she had been accustomed to call with cargoes of dried
+fish. The fish now on board was taken off rapidly into lighters. And then
+it was that, in a sub-hold under the cargo deck, a more significant cargo
+was found.
+
+From that sub-hold were removed nearly six hundred floating mines of the
+commonest German pattern. All had been packed with extreme care, and all
+were ready for transferring to German submarine mine-layers at sea.
+
+It was after two in the morning when Captain Allaire, an officer of the
+British military intelligence department, came on board the "Grigsby,"
+requesting that her commander be called. Dave received Captain Allaire in
+the chart-room. Allaire had come to seek information as to the speech and
+conduct of the two women at the time of their arrest.
+
+Dave answered these questions carefully, then added:
+
+"I shall be glad, indeed, if I brought in women prisoners of real
+importance along with the other prisoners."
+
+"There are very few pairs whom we would rather have in our prisons,"
+answered Captain Allaire. "The older woman is the notorious Sophia
+Weiner; the younger is her daughter, Anna Weiner. They use various other
+names, though. Every intelligence and secret service officer in Great
+Britain knows of their exploits, and is ever on the lookout for them."
+
+"Then I am astonished that they should have embarked on a steamship bound
+for England," Dave returned. "They must have faced certain arrest on
+landing."
+
+"I don't believe they intended coming to England," Allaire answered.
+"Probably they were on their way to Spain. It may have been that no
+German submarine was leaving for the Spanish coast just at the time, and
+it was imperative that they reach Spain early. So, I take it, they
+journeyed to the neutral country and embarked on the 'Louisa,' knowing
+that the skipper could transfer them to a submarine bound for Spain. We
+are amazed at this fellow, Hadkor, skipper of the 'Louisa.' We had
+believed him to be all right, and he had ready access to our ports with
+his cargoes. But his ship has been found to be fitted with all facilities
+for transferring mines at sea, and also with an anti-aircraft gun and a
+stock of rifles and ammunition. The work must have been excellently paid
+for by the Germans, for the crew were assuredly in the secret, and ready
+even to fight, and they surely had to be paid for their risks."
+
+"Then it was a very important catch that the 'blimp' ran us into."
+
+"One of the best in a six-month," replied Captain Allaire. "And yet that
+skipper fellow and his crew must be lunatics, for their conduct lays them
+liable to being hanged as pirates."
+
+When the "Grigsby" put out to sea before daylight Dave Darrin lay asleep.
+He slept extremely well, too, in the consciousness of a day's duties well
+done.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+DARRIN TURNS THE TABLES
+
+
+BOTH commanding officers were asleep when the "Grigsby" and the "Reed"
+passed each other that morning, the "Grigsby" proceeding on to her
+station.
+
+Dave would have gone back on the same water route he had hunted over the
+day before, but the dirigible, which had reached England safely, had not
+yet been put in shape for further service, and there was at present no
+other dirigible that could be spared for his service.
+
+Therefore it was a matter of back to the shoals for temporary duty, yet
+of a kind that was very important.
+
+At ten o'clock he was called, as that was the hour he had named for
+relieving Lieutenant Fernald.
+
+The executive officer had come into the chart-room to call him, and
+remained while Darrin performed his hasty toilet.
+
+"What's the weather?" Darrin asked.
+
+"Misty, sir," replied the executive officer. "There's a fine drizzle,
+mixed with some fog. For the last half hour it has been impossible to
+see more than six hundred yards. That is why we are running at half
+speed. We're close to the middle shoal and I was afraid we'd run down one
+of our own mine-sweepers."
+
+"The kind of weather every ship's master dreads," Dave remarked.
+
+"Yes, sir, and the weather bites you through to the marrow. The
+temperature isn't very low, but I think you'll find yourself more
+comfortable if you dress warmly. I found it so cold as to be necessary to
+wear the sheepskin under my heaviest rain-coat."
+
+In finishing his dressing Darrin bore this suggestion in mind. In a few
+minutes he stepped out on deck. The weather proved to be as unpleasant as
+Fernald had asserted, and Dave was glad that he was warmly clad, for the
+wind, though not strong, was piercing.
+
+"Sighted any mine-sweeper on the shoal?" Dave asked of Ensign Ormsby, the
+watch officer, as soon as he reached the deck.
+
+"Only on the first shoal, which is in the 'Reed's' station, sir," Mr.
+Ormsby replied. "Those belonging to our station must be farther north.
+And we've sighted none out in deeper water. We couldn't in this thick
+weather, anyway."
+
+"The view is so limited that this doesn't look like a promising day for
+us," Dave mused aloud, as he gazed around at as much of the water as he
+could see.
+
+"It really doesn't, sir."
+
+"Better reduce to one-quarter speed. The less speed the less chance there
+will be of the enemy hearing us."
+
+Accordingly the "Grigsby" rolled along slowly, the splash and ripple of
+the water along her sides being a soothing accompaniment.
+
+For an hour they proceeded thus, without sighting a ship. They had passed
+the middle shoal, and were somewhat north of it when the two officers on
+the bridge observed that the sun was struggling feebly through the clouds
+and mist. A minute later, as if by magic, it burst out brightly, and the
+mist began to fade away.
+
+"By Jove, sir, look at that!" almost whispered Ensign Ormsby.
+
+Some seven hundred yards away from them, motionless on the water, her
+deck fully exposed, lay a submarine.
+
+Neither deck gun was above decks. At least a dozen of the crew stood near
+the conning tower, and, of all things in the world, fishing.
+
+"Quick work, there!" Dave called through the bridge telephone to the
+gunners forward. "Let number one gun send a shell over the craft. Don't
+hit her at the first shot. We'll capture that fellow, if possible!"
+
+So quickly did the shot come that it was the first intimation the German
+seamen had of enemy presence.
+
+From aloft the signal broke out:
+
+"Don't try to fire a shot, or to turn, or we'll sink you!"
+
+An officer's head popped up through the manhole of the conning tower,
+then almost as quickly was withdrawn.
+
+As the "Grigsby," obeying her engines, leaped forward, the men behind
+both forward guns stood ready to fire at the word.
+
+For the submarine crew to bring either gun into place would be the signal
+for the destroyer to open fire at a range constantly decreasing. Nor
+could the enemy craft employ her torpedo tubes without turning, which
+would have been instant signal for Darrin to order his gunners to fire on
+the submarine.
+
+Through the manhole of the enemy craft leaped a signalman, flags in hand.
+Using the international code he wigwagged rapidly this message:
+
+"We will make a grace of necessity and surrender."
+
+"That doesn't necessarily mean that they do surrender," Dave 'phoned to
+the officer in charge of the forward gun division. "If the enemy makes a
+move to bring a gun into view, or to swing so that a torpedo tube could
+be used, fire without order and fire to sink!"
+
+The German commander evidently understood that this would be the course
+of the Yankees, for as the "Grigsby" bore down upon the submarine not a
+threatening move was visible.
+
+Instead, the Hun crew, unarmed so far as the watchers on the destroyer
+could see, emerged from the conning tower and moved well up forward.
+
+"Prepare to lower two boats," Dave called, and added instructions for a
+large crew for each launch. As the "Grigsby" came about and lay to, the
+launches were lowered. In the bow of each small craft was mounted a
+machine gun ready for instant action. The double prize crew was permitted
+to board the submarine without sign of opposition. At the command, German
+seamen began to file past two petty officers, submitting to search for
+hidden weapons, then passing on into the launches alongside.
+
+Last of all four officers came through the manhole, preparatory to
+enduring the same search. When all the prisoners had been taken aboard,
+the launches started back to the "Grigsby."
+
+Dave Darrin caught sight of the officers, as the launches approached the
+destroyer, and felt like rubbing his eyes.
+
+"The ober-lieutenant and von Schelling!" he exclaimed with a start. "They
+haven't recognized me yet. When they do that ober-lieutenant is going to
+wish that he had voted for going to the bottom of the sea!"
+
+Not, indeed, until the officers came up over the side of the "Grigsby,"
+and found Dave Darrin waiting on the deck, did the quartette of officers
+discover who their captor was.
+
+"_You?_" gasped the ober-lieutenant! "Impossible!"
+
+"Yes; you didn't expect to see me again, did you?"
+
+"I--I--I thought you were----"
+
+The German checked himself.
+
+"You thought you had sent me to the bottom of the sea," Dave went on. "It
+wasn't your fault that you didn't, but you missed your guess."
+
+Dave then gave the order for housing the prisoners below.
+
+"Are you sending the officers to the same place of detention that you are
+sending my men?" demanded the ober-lieutenant, a spark of assertiveness
+in his manner.
+
+"Unfortunately, I am obliged to do so," Dave answered. "I am aware that
+German officers consider themselves to be of a brand of clay much
+superior to that used in making their men."
+
+"But we officers are gentlemen!" retorted the ober-lieutenant, drawing
+himself up stiffly.
+
+"It's a point that might be argued," returned Darrin, lightly. "Yet
+there is no other course, for we have no detention space apart from the
+main one on board, so it is the only place that we can use for confining
+German officers--and gentlemen."
+
+"May I request the privilege of a few words with you before you send me
+below?" requested the ober-lieutenant, unbending a trifle.
+
+"Certainly," Dave assured him, and the guard that was marshaling the
+prisoners below permitted the recent German commander to step out of the
+line.
+
+"I will see you in my chart-room," said Dave. Lieutenant Fernald, who had
+been standing by, caught Dave's signal and entered with his chief.
+
+Once inside Ober-Lieutenant Dreiner turned and gazed at Fernald.
+
+"I had expected a private interview, Herr Darrin," he said, rather
+stiffly.
+
+"Lieutenant Fernald is my executive officer, and nothing goes on board
+with which he is not familiar," Darrin replied. "Have a seat, Herr
+Ober-Lieutenant."
+
+"And must I speak before--before your subordinate?" asked the German, as
+he dropped into the chair that had been indicated.
+
+"If you speak at all," Darrin answered.
+
+"But will Herr Fernald keep inviolate what I have to say?"
+
+"In that," Darrin promised, "he will be governed by circumstances."
+
+Dreiner hesitated for a few seconds before he began:
+
+"I--I--er--I have to refer to an incident that followed our last words
+together on a former occasion."
+
+"You mean, of course, the time, when you assembled on the deck of your
+craft four prisoners, of whom I was one, then closed your manhole and
+submerged, leaving us floundering in the water, and, as you expected, to
+die by drowning?"
+
+"I have not admitted that any such thing took place," Herr Dreiner cried,
+hastily, with a side glance at Lieutenant Fernald.
+
+"It will make no difference, Herr Dreiner, whether you admit or deny that
+inhuman attempt to murder four helpless prisoners," Dave rejoined. "It so
+happened that all four of us kept alive until rescued, and we are all
+four ready, at any time, to appear against you. So there is no use in
+evasion."
+
+"Then you intend to bring the charge against me?" asked Dreiner, in a
+voice husky with either emotion or dread.
+
+"I can make neither promises nor threats as to that," Darrin countered.
+
+"The stern British military courts would sentence me to death on that
+charge."
+
+"Probably," Dave agreed.
+
+"And I have a very particular reason for wanting to live," Dreiner went
+on.
+
+"Yes?"
+
+"I have eight young children at home, and their sole dependence is on
+what I earn," the German continued. "I do not mind dying, for myself, but
+in that event what will become of my poor little children?"
+
+"You Germans fill me with disgust!" Dave Darrin exclaimed, rising, as
+though to terminate the interview. "It seems to be a rule with you
+fellows, when you find yourselves facing death, to whine about the
+children you must leave behind to starve. Before you set out to murder me
+in an especially brutal manner, did you take the trouble to ask me
+whether _I_ had any children who would starve? Did you ask Mr. and Mrs.
+Launce whether they had children that were not provided for? And what
+about that honest old sea-dog, Captain Kennor? Did you pause to inquire
+whether he was leaving hungry children behind? For that matter, have any
+of you wild beasts on German submarines ever worried yourselves about the
+families you orphaned by your inhuman crimes at sea? Even in the case of
+the 'Lusitania,' did _that_ submarine commander ask himself, or any one
+else, what would happen to the women and children who were pitched into
+the sea? You are wild to murder innocent, harmless people belonging to
+an enemy nation, yet when you yourselves are brought face to face with
+death you are all alike. You whine! You beg! Dreiner, you are not man
+enough to play the game! Your appeal in the name of your eight children,
+who, for that matter, may not even exist, falls on deaf ears when you
+address me. I hope that you will be summoned before a British court and
+that you may be sentenced to pay the full penalty for your crimes!"
+
+Dreiner's face went ashen-gray as he staggered to his feet. Probably he
+really was concerned for the fate of his children, but his was not the
+sort of record that invited pity.
+
+"I will not detain you here," Dave finished coldly. "If I did, I might be
+tempted to abuse a prisoner, and that is something no American fighting
+man can really do. Orderly!"
+
+As the orderly stepped in, saluting, Dreiner tried a last appeal:
+
+"Why do you hate us Germans so?" he whined. "I know that you do not hate
+me especially, but that you hate all of our race!"
+
+"Why do we hate you?" Darrin echoed. "The reason is that, from all we
+hear, fellows like yourself appear to be fair samples of the German
+officer, on land and afloat. If that does not answer your question fully,
+I can think of other reasons to give you. I would rather not, for it
+brings me perilously close to the offense of abusing a prisoner, and that
+I do not wish to do. Orderly, call two men and instruct them to take
+Ober-Lieutenant Dreiner below to join the other prisoners."
+
+As the German stepped past the Yankee commander he glared into Dave's
+face, hissing:
+
+"To-day it is your chance to humiliate and condemn a German. It may not
+be long ere your turn comes, and a German officer tells you what your end
+is to be!"
+
+"I am ever at Fate's orders," Darrin answered, with a bow.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+ON A MISSION OF GREAT TRUST
+
+
+WHEN the "Grigsby," in broad daylight, steamed into the base port with a
+captured submarine and her crew, and a German commanding officer who was
+liable for a dastardly crime at sea, there was great rejoicing both on
+the other naval vessels and on shore.
+
+If the German prisoners expected a stormy reception when they were landed
+and placed under a guard of soldiers, they were disappointed, for nothing
+of the sort awaited them.
+
+The British populace, though it turned out to see the captives marched
+through the streets, proved to be too good sportsmen to make a violent
+demonstration against their now helpless enemies.
+
+Darrin had no sooner turned over the prize and made his report to the
+British admiral than he was ready for sea once more.
+
+"Mr. Darrin," said the admiral, heartily, "when you went out the other
+day you promised to show me results. I take this opportunity to assure
+you that you have. You yourself have made some notable captures, and have
+destroyed some enemies whom you could not capture. Mr. Dalzell's record
+has also been a splendid one. The plan by which you are catching
+mine-layers on or near the shoals before they start out on new
+mine-laying work is one that has enabled our mine-sweeping craft to
+accomplish more than they have hitherto been able to do. The record of
+mines discovered and swept out of the paths of navigation is a fine one,
+but you have done even better work in blocking the enemy so thoroughly in
+their operation of laying the mines in the first instance. Your successes
+are assuming extremely notable proportions. To-morrow the dirigible will
+be ready to start out again to aid in finding mine-cargo-carrying
+submarines bound for these waters."
+
+"Sir," Dave replied, "I greatly appreciate your words of praise, and I
+can speak in the same vein for Mr. Dalzell. Now, as he has had no share
+in destroying the submarines that bring over cargoes of mines I intend to
+detail him for that work to-morrow."
+
+"That fits in with my plans," nodded the admiral. "If you will put to sea
+and find the 'Reed,' and then return to this port, dropping anchor, but
+keeping up steam, I shall have for you, to-night or to-morrow, a special
+task of the greatest importance."
+
+"Very good, sir. Is that all for the present?"
+
+"Yes. Your further instructions will be given to you when the time
+comes."
+
+"Very good, sir. Thank you."
+
+Saluting, Darrin left the flagship, returning at once to the "Grigsby,"
+which soon put to sea. The weather being now comparatively clear, Darrin
+raced away at nearly full speed. Not long afterward he overhauled and
+boarded the "Reed," informing Dalzell of his chance to go on the hunt for
+the submarine mine-carrying craft on the morrow.
+
+"I had been wondering if I was to have a little share in that sport of
+kings," said Dan, with one of his grins.
+
+"You prevaricator!" Darrin uttered, sternly. "When did I ever hog all of
+the best sport and leave you the rind?"
+
+"Kamerad! Don't shoot!" begged Dan, with another grin.
+
+"Kamerad" (comrade) is the word the German soldiers employ when offering
+to surrender to Allied troops. But "Kamerad" does not always mean as much
+as it conveys, for instances have been numerous when Germans have
+pretended so to surrender, then have whipped out hitherto hidden weapons
+and slain their captors.
+
+Returning to port before dark, Darrin put in that night in catching up
+with his sleep. He slumbered almost without stirring, for it had been
+long since he had enjoyed more than a part of his needed rest at sea.
+
+Officers and men, too, made the most of their opportunity to sleep that
+night. Only one officer at a time kept deck watch, and only one engineer
+officer down below. The "Grigsby" was ready to put to sea almost on an
+instant's notice from the flagship, but no word came.
+
+Fully refreshed, and in the best of condition, Dave Darrin enjoyed a
+famously good breakfast the next morning, as did every officer and man on
+the destroyer. Still the orders for special duty had not arrived, and
+Dave was beginning to chafe under the delay.
+
+"If it were the first of April I might suspect the bluff old admiral were
+playing a joke on us," Dave confided to Lieutenant Fernald. "I might
+think this was his way of affording us all a chance to get even with our
+rest. I am wondering much what the special duty is to be."
+
+"You will know, sir, in the same breath that you are ordered away to that
+duty," smiled the executive officer.
+
+"Yes, this is war-time and advance information is very rare," Darrin
+admitted.
+
+It was, in fact, nearly eleven o'clock when a man of the deck watch
+reported that a boat had put off from the flagship and was apparently
+heading for the "Grigsby."
+
+"I'll go out to receive the visitor," said Fernald, rising and leaving
+the chart-room.
+
+The boat was, indeed, heading for the destroyer. It soon came alongside,
+bringing a staff officer from the admiral. Lieutenant Fernald received
+the visitor, conducted him to the chart-room, presented the officer
+caller to Dave, then discreetly withdrew.
+
+"The admiral's compliments, Mr. Darrin. He spoke to you yesterday of
+special duty of a most important nature. I have the honor to bear his
+final instructions."
+
+"Then you are doubly welcome," smiled Dave, "for we have been chafing a
+bit, fearing that the admiral's plans might have been changed."
+
+"There has been considerable activity on the part of German submarines in
+these waters of late," continued the British naval staff officer. "As a
+rule the Huns keep out of the channel, but they have been so active
+lately that we fear for the safety of the hospital ship 'Gloucester,'
+which is bringing home about two thousand wounded men. It was the
+admiral's plan to have you leave port, under full speed, an hour before
+the sailing time of the 'Gloucester' from France."
+
+"Is there still time for us to get that hour's start?" asked Darrin,
+rising.
+
+"Unfortunately, the orders were misunderstood, Mr. Darrin. The
+'Gloucester' actually sailed about an hour ago. You will find her exact
+course written on this paper, and you are directed by the admiral to
+reach her with all speed and convoy her----"
+
+"One moment, please!"
+
+Darrin broke off the conversation long enough to telephone the executive
+officer, instructing him to transmit the needful orders to the engineer
+officer on duty, and to pipe all hands on deck.
+
+"I am listening, sir," Darrin resumed, wheeling about.
+
+"Outside you will find two of our fastest mine-sweepers," continued the
+staff officer. "They are to follow you as closely as possible, and, on
+nearing the 'Gloucester,' they are to turn and sweep the course ahead of
+the hospital ship, while you are to be extremely alert for submarines."
+
+"I understand, sir," Darrin nodded. "Are there any further orders?"
+
+"No, Mr. Darrin. Whatever else comes up must be left to your own
+discretion to handle. The admiral bade me state that he has the fullest
+confidence in your proven ability to handle circumstances as they arise."
+
+"My thanks to the admiral for his good opinion, and to yourself for
+informing me of it," smiled Dave, still on his feet and moving slowly
+toward the door.
+
+"I--er--have some further information, Mr. Darrin, that will prove of
+considerable interest to you," resumed the naval staff officer, also
+moving toward the door.
+
+"Yes?"
+
+"It possesses a personal interest for you. There are, of course, nurses
+on board, and other Red Cross workers. One of them is Mrs. Darrin."
+
+Dave's quick smile of happiness was reflected in the staff officer's
+ruddy face.
+
+"So, you see, Mr. Darrin, you have more than a professional interest in
+meeting the hospital ship and bringing her through safely, for in doing
+so you will also be guarding your wife. It is rather an unusual stimulus
+to duty, isn't it?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+THE RED CROSS TRAGEDY
+
+
+"NO, sir!" said Dave, promptly. "I love my wife, and it will not surprise
+you to hear me say it, but in the discharge of my duty Mrs. Darrin has
+exactly the same status as a stranger. I shall be glad, for my own sake,
+to bring through in safety any ship on which she sails, but I shall be
+just as glad to be able to insure the safety of any wounded Tommy Atkins
+on the 'Gloucester' who is longing for a sight of his loved ones at
+home."
+
+"By Jove, that's a bully attitude, and I know you mean it!" cried the
+staff officer, holding out his hand. "I must not delay you. Good-bye,
+Darrin, and the best of good luck to you!"
+
+A moment later the British officer was over the side and being borne back
+to the flagship, while quick orders rang out on the "Grigsby." In as
+short a time as the thing could be done the anchor was stowed, and the
+destroyer was on her way out of port at half speed.
+
+Just beyond the harbor Darrin gave the order for full speed ahead. From
+the bridge, three miles farther out on the course, he made out the two
+mine-sweepers.
+
+"All starts well," commented Dave to Lieutenant Fernald. "May all end as
+well! By the way, Mrs. Darrin is said to be on board the 'Gloucester'."
+
+"Congratulations," said Fernald, heartily. "And you may look, sir, for
+every officer and man aboard this craft to redouble his efforts to make
+the day's task a complete success."
+
+"I don't want it for that reason, although I expect from all on board the
+fullest efficiency. Fernald, I'm not running an American naval vessel
+primarily for the safety of my family."
+
+For this trip the lookouts were trebled. They stood at every point of
+vantage from which anything on the sea might be sighted.
+
+Mile after mile the "Grigsby" logged, plunging and dipping in the sea,
+her decks running water and spray dashing continuously over the bridge.
+It was wet work, and over all was the roaring racket of the ship's
+powerful machinery. To Darrin it was music; the dash and the sense of
+responsibility thrilled him.
+
+At last came the anxiously awaited hail from the lookout aloft:
+
+"Topmasts of a ship almost dead ahead, sir."
+
+"Keep her constantly in sight, and as soon as you can make out the hull
+report whether she displays the hospital Red Cross," the watch officer
+called back.
+
+"Aye, aye, sir."
+
+To those on the bridge the mastheads were soon visible. After that came
+the lookout's hail:
+
+"She's a hospital ship, sir. I can make out the Red Cross plainly through
+the glass."
+
+"It must be the 'Gloucester,' then," remarked Lieutenant Fernald.
+
+"Pass the word that the first man really to sight a periscope or a
+conning tower shall have a fortnight's shore leave extra," Dave ordered.
+
+He smiled as he heard the scattering cheer that greeted that
+announcement.
+
+"The real way to the sailorman's heart lies through extra shore leave,"
+he told Fernald.
+
+"I wouldn't mind winning that prize myself," muttered the executive
+officer. "That is, if I were sure that I could honestly accept the leave
+without prejudice to duty."
+
+"Find the periscope, then," smiled Darrin. "I am sure I can win the
+promised reward, even for the executive officer."
+
+Not long afterward they were in plain sight of the "Gloucester." On she
+came, the smoke pouring from her pair of funnels. A fast craft, the
+hospital ship was making about her best time in her hurry to get safely
+across with her precious human cargo.
+
+Then the "Grigsby" swung far out to port, cut a part of a circle, and
+came back on the hospital ship's port bow, darting ahead again, cutting
+across the hospital ship's bow far ahead and to port, then turning and
+crossing once more.
+
+After the two craft had proceeded some distance farther the two
+mine-sweepers were sighted well ahead. These craft would soon turn and
+sweep the waters for mines ahead of the hospital ship.
+
+Not mere fancy capers was the "Grigsby" cutting. As she crossed the
+"Gloucester's" bows time and again her lookouts were able to keep sharp
+watch to port and starboard of the ship that bore a human cargo of pain
+and suffering. It was the only way for a solitary destroyer to keep
+effective watch on both sides of the ship she was convoying.
+
+Twice Dave used his glass to glance along the nearer rail of the
+steamship in search of Belle Darrin. He did not find her thus, and did
+not try again, for he must not fail in his unceasing watch for the ship's
+safety.
+
+The mine-sweepers signalled their message of greeting, then turned and
+swung into place. From this point the "Gloucester" and her escort slowed
+down speed to accommodate that of the smaller craft.
+
+The vessel wearing the emblem of the Red Cross had not yet reached the
+spot at which the sweepers had turned.
+
+Over the sea came a sullen, significant roar. The "Gloucester" shivered
+from stem to stern. A wail of anguish went up in concert from the
+soldiers on board the hospital ship who were worst wounded.
+
+It had come so suddenly that, for an instant, Dave Darrin was dazed.
+
+"That wasn't a torpedo!" he cried, hoarsely, a second or two later.
+
+"She hit a mine, sir," reported Lieutenant Fernald. "It wasn't the fault
+of the sweepers, either, for they hadn't time to get that far. But it's
+awful--awful! There'll be hundreds of the poor fellows drowned!"
+
+Dave quickly recovered his presence of mind. As the "Gloucester" shut off
+speed Darrin turned and dashed at full speed to the aid of the stricken
+craft.
+
+Even as the race of rescue began Darrin sent to the radio operator this
+message to send broadcast through the air:
+
+"S. O. S.! Hospital ship 'Gloucester' has struck mine and must founder
+soon. Rush at best speed to give aid. S. O. S.!"
+
+In the message Darrin included also the exact position of the stricken
+vessel.
+
+Two launches were swung outward on the davits. Darrin sprang down to the
+deck to personally select the men to man the launches. Into the launches
+were thrown several rolls of heavy canvas and rolls of cordage, as well
+as such tools as might be needed.
+
+By the time that the "Grigsby" had shut off speed and lain to, the decks
+of the "Gloucester" were observed to be crowded with people.
+
+The two launches, with Dave Darrin in one of them, shoved off and were
+quickly alongside the hospital ship. Two ship's ladders were let down
+over the side. Up these went the two boarding parties as rapidly as they
+could move. Lines came swirling down, and canvas rolls and other supplies
+were hoisted to the deck. This work was all quickly done.
+
+Not a second must be lost. Dave ordered Ensign Peters and several men
+forward to the bow of the hospital ship. With the remainder, Dave,
+carrying a roll of canvas over one shoulder, and all hands carrying some
+burden, started to go below.
+
+With a group of Red Cross nurses who stood silently and calmly by the
+patients who were being borne to the deck, Darrin was sure that he caught
+sight of Belle.
+
+But he did not look a second time. There was too much to be done now when
+seconds were precious. Nor did Belle look up from the work that she was
+doing among the wounded on stretchers.
+
+A member of the crew led the American party below. Here Dave found two
+mates and a score of sailors already at work. They were trying to
+accomplish the very thing Darrin had come prepared to do--to rig canvas
+over the hole in the hull to shut out as much of the water as was
+possible.
+
+If this could be accomplished, and if the "Gloucester's" pumps could
+drive out most of the water that got in past the canvas patch, then it
+might be possible for the hospital ship to keep afloat until other rescue
+craft could reach the scene.
+
+"We'll take your orders, sir," spoke up one of the mates, saluting, as
+Dave and his party reached a forward hold where, despite the flimsy
+canvas patch already rigged, the water was almost waist-deep.
+
+"We'll work together," returned Dave, briefly. "It may turn out that the
+ship can be kept afloat for an hour or two."
+
+"The bulkheads were shut, sir," the mate explained, hurriedly, "but
+fragments of the mine entered this first water-tight compartment, and
+also the second. You'd better go down into the second compartment, too,
+sir."
+
+Darrin hurried up to the deck, followed by the mates and their men. The
+hole in the first compartment extended some six inches below water line
+and some two feet above. It was a long, jagged hole. Trying to descend
+into the second compartment with the chief mate, Darrin found that the
+hole here extended at least a foot below water line.
+
+"It's going to be no use, sir," said the mate, sorrowfully. "I don't
+believe the ship can be kept afloat more than ten minutes before she goes
+down by the head. These are our two biggest compartments."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+A NOBLE FIGHT WITHOUT WEAPONS
+
+
+NOR was the mate's warning a panicky one. There seemed not one chance in
+a hundred of closing the gaps sufficiently to keep the hospital ship
+afloat long enough to save many of its wounded passengers.
+
+Dave had made his plans while coming alongside. By this time the repair
+material he had brought along lay on the deck. He called his own men to
+help him, and the chief officer sent two score more of British seamen to
+his aid.
+
+The engine-room fires being as yet untouched by water, the pumps were
+working with tremendous force.
+
+"Unroll that canvas, there. Run it out lively," Darrin ordered.
+
+In a twinkling the first patch was ready. Dave himself helped with
+weighting what was intended for the lower edge of the patch, and with
+reeving in ropes at the sides and top.
+
+"Over with it!"
+
+Lowered down into place, the patch was fitted to the hole. It still had
+to be made fast.
+
+Both port and starboard gangways had been lowered, and launches from the
+destroyer were alongside, receiving badly wounded men who had been taken
+over the side on stretchers. The "Grigsby's" cutters were also alongside,
+picking up such of the wounded men as could jump in life belts. The
+"Gloucester's" own boats swung out after being loaded. The mine-sweepers
+had come up and had lowered their boats and sent them to the rescue.
+Several hundred men and women were reasonably sure of being saved, but
+unless Darrin succeeded in what he was undertaking, from twelve to
+fifteen hundred other human beings were surely doomed.
+
+Badly as boats were needed, Dave had to commandeer two of the smallest.
+Himself going in one of these, he superintended the making fast of the
+canvas patches below from the water. Seamen over the hull's side in
+slings, acting under the second mate, did valiant service at the same
+time.
+
+With a single outside canvas patch over the forward hole, Darrin moved
+back to the second breach. Here, too, a patch was quickly put in place.
+
+By this time the "Grigsby" and the mine-sweepers had received nearly as
+many rescued passengers as they could hold. The small boats were
+returning for more.
+
+Up to Dave rushed Captain Senby of the "Gloucester."
+
+"Captain," he called, addressing Dave Darrin by that courtesy title,
+"these Red Cross women ought to be saved while there's time, but they
+refuse to go over the side until their patients are safe."
+
+"Did you expect they would desert their patients?" Darrin asked quietly,
+his gaze still on the work that he was directing.
+
+"But, Captain, we must save the women folks, anyway! Won't you use your
+persuasion to help me?"
+
+"No," came Dave's quick response. "These women are asserting their right
+to prove the stuff that is in them. In this war, in their own fields, the
+women fight as bravely as the men."
+
+"In a time like this the women ought to be saved!" the British master
+insisted.
+
+"Not at the expense of their best sense of duty," Darrin answered.
+
+For an instant Senby regarded the young naval officer with amazement
+before he blurted:
+
+"Captain, I don't believe you have any women folks of your own!"
+
+"My wife is one of the Red Cross women on board," Darrin answered,
+quietly. Then, raising his voice, he added:
+
+"That patch is ready! Over with it!"
+
+Thus was the second patch fitted over the forward hole, and men were busy
+completing another for the second hole.
+
+And now with the small boats filled, Darrin anxiously surveyed the sea.
+No ships were yet in sight.
+
+"Get more patches ready!" he shouted.
+
+He then descended to the first compartment, stepping down into the water
+to take its depth. He judged it to be of about the same depth as before.
+
+Four patches were over each hole by the time that the first trail of
+smoke was observed far down on the horizon. A steamship was coming to
+their aid, but would it arrive in time?
+
+Another inspection showed that the pumps had made a slight gain on the
+water. It was going out of the compartments faster than it could get in
+past the canvas. But Dave knew that ship pumps, working to furious
+capacity, were likely to give out at any moment.
+
+He stationed a seaman with lead and line on the stairs leading down to
+each compartment, with instructions to take frequent soundings and to
+report sharply to the deck.
+
+The "Gloucester's" rafts, too, were now overboard. On these huddled those
+of the wounded or convalescing soldiers who were better able to take care
+of themselves.
+
+But not a single Red Cross woman had yet gone over the side. Much as some
+of the wounded might need attendance on the rescue craft or in the small
+boats, those left helpless behind needed the women of mercy still more!
+
+A slow gain was still being made on the water in the two compartments. If
+the pumps held out, and if the patches did not give way, there might yet
+be a fair chance to save life. But Dave knew the dangers that confronted
+all hands left behind, even when he could make out the hull of the
+oncoming steamship, and saw that she was moving at fullest speed.
+
+"We should win out, don't you think?" demanded Captain Senby, anxiously.
+"I've never lost a ship."
+
+"At least we stand a fair chance to win out," Dave answered, frankly.
+"Any one of three or four things might happen to us yet and send us to
+the bottom."
+
+Darrin spent most of his time inspecting the canvas patches. Between
+times he anxiously watched the relief ship. He could see, by glass, when
+she was four miles away, that her davits were swung out and her
+boat-crews in place.
+
+"All depends on how we hold together for the next half or three-quarters
+of an hour," he told Captain Senby.
+
+There were still some two hundred patients who would have to be moved on
+stretchers. These were brought to the upper deck until the stretchers all
+but blocked passage.
+
+What a cheer went up from those at the rail as the steamship, an Italian
+craft, lay to and began to lower her boats! The small boats from the
+hospital ship, the "Grigsby" and the mine-sweepers had already gone
+forward to meet her. As fast as they could move in to either side gangway
+these boats discharged their temporary passengers, then quickly returned
+to the "Gloucester."
+
+For an hour all the small boats plied back and forth, the rescuers using
+all their nerve and muscle power in their efforts at speed.
+
+Shivering, for he was drenched up to the waist, Dave stood by, receiving
+the reports of the leadsmen in the two compartments. The best work of the
+canvas patches had been done. They were slowly yielding to the fearful
+pressure of the water without and it was impossible to rig additional,
+fresh patches over them. The water was rising, inch by inch, in both
+compartments.
+
+"How long do you think we can keep afloat?" asked Captain Senby,
+miserably.
+
+"Your judgment will be as good as mine, sir," Dave answered. "It is
+impossible to name the number of moments we can hope to keep above water,
+but we both know it cannot be for long."
+
+At last the decks were cleared of litters. There were no more to be
+brought out. The last boats had taken away many besides the stretcher
+patients.
+
+"Give us ten minutes more," said Darrin, as he watched the boats
+discharging at the Italian steamer, and returning, "and we shall all be
+safe."
+
+"They will be the longest, most anxious ten minutes that I ever lived!"
+sighed Captain Senby.
+
+"Man, you're white and you look ill," Dave cried. "Buck up! You've done
+splendidly, and the discipline on board has been perfect. You have
+nothing with which to reproach yourself."
+
+"Do you really think so?" Senby asked, with a wan smile. "I thank you,
+but it seems to me I should have done better."
+
+"You could do better than you're doing now, for you've lost your nerve,"
+Darrin warned him, in a low voice. "Yet while you needed your nerve you
+kept it."
+
+"You won't mind saying that in your report, will you?" asked the master,
+eagerly. "I'd hate to have my family hear anything that would make them
+feel I had broken down."
+
+"The discipline on this ship shows what you have done," Dave rejoined.
+"You're suffering, now, on account of the people who may be lost, and
+you're thinking of the Red Cross women who are stubborn enough to do
+their duty like men. But you've trained your crew well, you have the
+respect of your officers and men, and you've given all help possible in
+the shortest amount of time. A ship's master can be judged, instantly, by
+the discipline that prevails on his craft. Your family will hear nothing
+about your conduct that won't please 'em."
+
+At this the British master "bucked up" wonderfully, but he still watched
+the Red Cross women with wistful eyes.
+
+"Here are the first boats coming back to take the last of us off," Darrin
+said encouragingly. "Now, clear all hands off lively."
+
+"The women first?" almost pleaded Captain Senby.
+
+"Of course!" Dave nodded. "They've done their full duty, and done it
+splendidly. Now, insist."
+
+Galvanized into action by these cheering words, Captain Senby cleared his
+throat, then roared in a fog-horn voice:
+
+"All hands stand by to abandon ship! Be lively, please, ladies. No man
+stir over the side until the last woman has gone over!"
+
+Some of the Red Cross women smilingly obeyed the order; others hung back.
+
+"There are still some wounded men on board," pleaded one of them. "Let
+the last wounded man go over the side, then we'll go."
+
+"I'll kill any man on this deck who tries to go over until the last
+woman is taken care of!" shouted Senby, drawing a revolver.
+
+Some of the nurses still demurred, but the master was obdurate.
+
+"Ladies," he called out, "this craft can't keep afloat much longer. Those
+of you who hang back keep the men from their last chance to get away. I
+tell you, and I mean it, that no man stirs over the side until the last
+woman is on her way to a boat. Don't hold us all back, ladies!"
+
+That swept aside the last reluctance of the nurses. They trooped forward,
+to one side gangway or the other, and were quickly on their way into the
+waiting boats.
+
+One of them, however, drew back, then smiled and crossed the deck.
+
+"I shall remain with you, Dave," announced a clear, firm voice, and Dave
+turned to find Belle's steady hand resting on his arm.
+
+"Are you going over the side, madam?" inquired Captain Senby, pleadingly.
+
+"You must make an exception in my case, sir," Belle Darrin answered
+smilingly. "I can hardly be expected to leave my husband at a time like
+this."
+
+"Oh!" gasped the Briton, understandingly. "Madam, you make me anxious,
+but your devotion makes me proud of your sex!"
+
+"Men, now!" shouted the Briton when he saw the last skirt flutter at the
+top of a companionway.
+
+"Now, you'll go over the side, sir, won't you?" asked the master,
+anxiously, as two orderly files of men stepped to the sides.
+
+"As the two commanders here," Dave answered, easily, "I believe that
+tradition requires you and me to go over last of all, Captain Senby."
+
+"But your wife, sir----"
+
+"Is an American, Captain, who has taken the oath of service to her
+country's flag just as you and I have done."
+
+"But, madam, you----" began the Briton, turning to Belle.
+
+"My husband has spoken, sir," smiled Belle. "Surely, Captain Senby, you
+do not believe in mutiny."
+
+The soldier patients who had remained behind when the nurses went over
+the side were all men who could walk without assistance. These were now
+going over, too. While this was going on the chief mate and the boatswain
+had mustered the last of the crew and the roll had been called. All were
+on hand who were not in the small boats.
+
+After the soldiers and the hospital men had gone down into boats, and
+other small craft had moved in to replace them, the crew went over, the
+chief mate being the last to go except the trio who stood in the middle
+of the upper deck.
+
+"There's a boat left with room for all of you!" the mate called, lifting
+his hat.
+
+With a last swift look around at the ship he had loved, the Briton almost
+reluctantly followed the Darrins. His legs trembled under him a bit as he
+descended the steps of the side companionway, but it was from neither
+exhaustion nor fear.
+
+Last of all the Briton took his seat in the row-boat. He tried to clear
+his throat and give the order, but could not speak.
+
+"Shove off!" called Dave to the boat-tenders, as he faced the men sitting
+with their oars out. "Give way! One, two, one two!"
+
+The boat belonged to one of the mine-sweepers. With true British
+precision and rhythm the men pulled away. Darrin ceased counting and
+turned to his smiling wife.
+
+"Not such a bad time, was it?" he asked.
+
+"As it turned out, no. But I was afraid, Dave. Had a few hundred of the
+brave fellows been drowned, the horror would not have left me as long as
+I lived."
+
+"Then you must steel your nerves a bit, Belle, dear. War, at the least,
+is a grewsome thing, but this war contains more horrors than any other
+war of which man has knowledge. The vast numbers engaged make it certain
+that the losses will be heavy, and heavier, until the struggle is over.
+If you work up near the front, within range of the big guns, you will
+necessarily have to become accustomed to seeing the visible evidence of
+huge losses daily."
+
+"I shall grow to it," Belle Darrin declared, confidently.
+
+And now Captain Senby was speaking to him.
+
+"It's a great load off my mind, Captain Darrin. I was the merchant marine
+master of the 'Gloucester,' but she was taken and refitted so quickly
+that we were sent to sea without change of status. On our return from
+this voyage the mates and I had orders to take examination for
+commissions in the naval reserves. Then we were to continue aboard the
+'Gloucester.' But she will be at the bottom in an hour and my chances of
+making the naval reserves will go down with her."
+
+"I don't see why," Dave returned, heartily. "You and your mates are no
+less capable than you were."
+
+Then, in an undertone that reached only Senby's ear, Darrin added:
+
+"Man, you've been a bit unstrung, but you've gotten away without the loss
+of a life. Bring your nerve back from this moment! Don't let it spoil
+your life or your career. Pull yourself together and smile. Smile! Don't
+let any one see that you've a single doubt of yourself! Smile, and go up
+for your examination to-morrow. All that ails you is that you worry for
+the safety of others--a most commendable fault in a skipper!"
+
+From that instant Captain Senby gave at least a very good imitation of a
+man who was modestly satisfied with his achievement, though he realized
+that he owed most of the success of the last two hours to Lieutenant
+Commander Dave Darrin, U. S. N.
+
+Arriving at the Italian vessel, Darrin transferred Belle and himself to a
+launch from the "Grigsby" and promptly rejoined his craft.
+
+Taking Belle to his own seldom-occupied quarters on the destroyer, Dave
+left her there, and then went to the bridge and signalled his orders to
+the mine-sweepers and to the Italian steamship.
+
+The mine-sweepers were ordered to move in advance of the rescue vessel to
+sweep any hidden mine from her path.
+
+"And you, Mr. Fernald, will cross the course continually ahead of the
+steamship and keep the most vigilant guard against submarine attack!"
+
+Dave next went to the chart-room, his teeth chattering from his soaked,
+chilled condition.
+
+Here he stripped and gave himself as vigorous a rub-down as he could
+administer, after which he attired himself in dry clothing throughout and
+sent orders to the mess kitchen for a pot of hot coffee.
+
+Over this warmer Dave lingered long enough to gulp down three cups of the
+steaming beverage.
+
+Then pulling on a dry sheepskin coat and turning up the fur collar
+against the wintry blast, he went to the bridge.
+
+"All's secure, and no sign of trouble so far, sir," reported Lieutenant
+Fernald.
+
+Yet, unknown to any on the destroyer, the "Grigsby," driving ahead
+obliquely from port to starboard well ahead of the steamship, was heading
+straight toward a mine that lurked beneath the surface of the water.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+CONCLUSION
+
+
+"SHALL I order the helm to starboard, sir?" asked Ensign Ormsby. "We're
+due to sail too close to that mine-sweeper."
+
+Though the two craft were separated by several hundreds of yards,
+Darrin's quick, trained eye took in the fact that the mine-sweeper, by
+the time the "Grigsby" crossed her course, would be a safe distance
+ahead.
+
+"No," he decided; "keep to the course and she'll clear us."
+
+Ensign Ormsby nodded and remained silent. Neither could know of the
+hidden mine that lay in her path.
+
+Yet less than half a minute later a signalman raced to the stern of the
+mine sweeper, wigwagging frantically this message:
+
+"Hard a-starboard! We have just picked up a mine!"
+
+The little craft had slowed down; she was maneuvering around that mine to
+get hold and land it on her deck.
+
+Ormsby read the signal with his chief. Not even waiting, now, for
+Darrin's word, the watch officer changed the course.
+
+Right in the course that they had been going the mine-sweeper now blocked
+the way. Had her sweep been thirty feet either side she would have gone
+on past and the destroyer would have struck the mine.
+
+As the "Grigsby" went astern and to starboard of the little craft, then
+turned and darted port-wise across her bows on a new oblique, officers
+and men on the destroyer saw the British crew hoisting from the water the
+mine that would have destroyed one of the latest prides of Uncle Sam's
+big war fleet.
+
+It was all over, so far as that mine was concerned, and for a moment or
+two Darrin found himself shaking from a chill that had not been caused by
+his recent soaking.
+
+The thought of other probable dangers ahead caused him to steel himself
+once more. To his subordinate officers he presented the confident,
+smiling face to which they were accustomed.
+
+Several craft of the British Navy and two other American war vessels had
+received his S. O. S. radio message and had started on their way. But all
+would have been too late, for some ten minutes after the rescuing fleet
+started for England the "Gloucester" had lowered her nose under the
+water. Soon after there was a violent explosion as the sea water reached
+glowing furnace fires and the boilers, and the hospital ship went down,
+another victim of inhumane warfare that respects not even the rights of
+the wounded and sick.
+
+Dave Darrin did not leave the bridge until he had seen his little fleet
+enter the base port.
+
+Then, pausing for only a word with Belle, he ordered a launch lowered and
+went direct to the British admiral, reporting his work for the afternoon
+in greater detail, for he had already sent in the main facts in a radio
+code message.
+
+"You have done magnificently, Mr. Darrin," exclaimed the admiral. "It was
+a wonderful performance to keep the 'Gloucester' afloat under such
+conditions until every human being on board had been transferred to
+safety."
+
+"That was made possible largely by the nature of the holes in the ship's
+hull, sir. I cannot say positively, but from my examination of the holes
+I believe that the mine that the 'Gloucester' struck was not moored as
+securely to her anchoring device as is usually the case. It was not the
+bow of the hospital ship, but the side of her hull forward that struck
+the mine. Two fragments or two groups of fragments of the exploding mine
+struck the hull, but from my hurried inspection it is my belief that the
+mine, not being securely moored, was brushed somewhat aside by the
+impact, and therefore the injury was not as great as it would have been
+had the anchoring device held the mine more firmly in place. So the ship
+was not as badly hurt as one would have expected her to be. That much for
+the mine, sir. Then I had the gallant, splendid help of Captain Senby and
+his mates and crew. I shall mention their performance in my written
+report."
+
+"Better put it in early, then," advised the admiral, "for Senby and his
+mates go up for examination day after tomorrow. I can forward to the
+board an extract from your report."
+
+"They are to be examined just the same, sir, though the 'Gloucester' is
+no more?"
+
+"Oh, yes; England has a few more ships left," smiled the admiral, "and we
+cannot get along with a reduced number of hospital craft."
+
+So, though Dave Darrin, on his return, escorted Belle to the chart-room
+and chatted with her a few moments, and even allowed her to remain while
+he worked, he sent for a yeoman and to him dictated an official report of
+the disaster, parts of which document did not fail to do justice to
+Captain Senby and his mates.
+
+"Type that for two copies to be transmitted, and one to be filed here, as
+early as you can, and bring to me for signature," Dave directed. "I wish
+to go ashore after signing and sending off the reports."
+
+For, at their parting, Admiral Wheatleigh had said:
+
+"Darrin, you and your officers and men have been overworked for some
+time. You have done splendidly, but now you all need a short rest or your
+nerves will snap. You will therefore remain in port a few days, and I
+would recommend you to be liberal in the matter of shore leave."
+
+Even before the typed reports had come in Lieutenant Fernald reported
+with a written list of the names of officers and men whom he recommended
+for shore leave beginning that evening.
+
+As a matter of form Darrin glanced down through the list, then signed it.
+
+"The last four men on the list report that they would like shore leave,
+but are out of funds, sir," hesitated Lieutenant Fernald.
+
+Drawing his purse, Dave extracted four five-dollar bills.
+
+"Lend this to them until pay-day," he directed, thrusting the money into
+the executive officer's hand. "They are dependable men, and will come to
+no harm. Up to eleven o'clock I shall be found at the Blank Hotel if
+wanted. At eleven I shall leave to come aboard, so you may send in a
+launch for me, Mr. Fernald."
+
+As soon as he had received and signed the typed report in duplicate, and
+had taken steps to forward them, Darrin and Belle went ashore.
+
+At ten o'clock that evening Dan Dalzell joined them.
+
+"How was the hunting, Danny Grin?" Dave inquired, jovially.
+
+"May I speak of such awful subjects before Mrs. Darrin?" Dan asked.
+
+"I am sure you may, and do not delay gratifying my curiosity," Belle put
+in.
+
+"Well, then," murmured Dalzell, delightedly, "all I can say is that the
+hunting proved wonderfully good. With the indispensable aid of the
+dirigible I located four submarines headed for this coast, and sank them
+all. I believe that each of the submarines was carrying a cargo of mines
+to enemy submarine mine-layers off this coast. Do you call that a day of
+good sport?"
+
+"For every one but the Germans," Dave nodded, beamingly.
+
+But Dan glanced at Belle to see how she took such joyous comments on the
+sudden deaths of enemies.
+
+"I could feel sorry for the people of some nations, if we were at war
+with them," Belle Darrin stated, calmly. "But when I hear of the deaths
+of German submarine officers and sailors I feel a sense of relief at the
+thought that more of the loathsome beasts have been removed from a decent
+world."
+
+Dan, too, and the other officers and the crew of the "Reed" were granted
+several days in port. In fact, there was no need of their services in the
+same line for some time to come, for a temporary but effective stop had
+been put to German mine-laying in the North Sea and the Channel.
+
+The masters, mates and crews of the "Olga" and the "Louisa" were tried
+and sentenced to death, and later were executed. Ober-Lieutenant Dreiner,
+for his cowardly attempt to murder Dave and his three new friends, was
+also sentenced to death.
+
+Before his leave in port was ended Dave and Belle met "Mr. and Mrs.
+Launce" and learned that they were really the Earl and Countess of Denby.
+After her awful experience in the water the countess's health remained
+impaired for months, so the noble couple gave up the idea of spy work and
+turned their energies toward Red Cross work in France and Italy.
+
+Sophia Weiner and her daughter were convicted of espionage in that they
+had sailed for England with false passports. They are now confined in
+some prison in England, and will remain there for some years after the
+war closes.
+
+Captain Kennor reached home safely, where he learned that the other boats
+from the "Rigsdak" had reached a friendly shore. It was some months
+before the Danish master went to sea again.
+
+The British admiral's report, sent through channels to the Vice Admiral
+of the American destroyer fleet, and by him referred to the Secretary of
+the Navy, was of such character that Dave and Dan received the highest
+praise direct from Washington by cable, and afterwards by letter.
+
+They had done their work in the finest American naval style, and had made
+a ten-strike against the German mine-layers.
+
+But they took their honors easily, and had need to, for there was still
+greater work ahead of them after Belle had used up her few days' leave
+and had sailed back to France.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY'S
+
+Best and Least Expensive Books for Boys and Girls
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Motor Boat Club Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+The keynote of these books is manliness. The stories are wonderfully
+entertaining, and they are at the same time sound and wholesome. No boy
+will willingly lay down an unfinished book in this series.
+
+1 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OF THE KENNEBEC;
+  Or, The Secret of Smugglers' Island.
+2 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT NANTUCKET;
+  Or, The Mystery of the Dunstan Heir.
+3 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OFF LONG ISLAND;
+  Or, A Daring Marine Game at Racing Speed.
+4 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AND THE WIRELESS;
+  Or, The Dot, Dash and Dare Cruise.
+5 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB IN FLORIDA;
+  Or, Laying the Ghost of Alligator Swamp.
+6 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT THE GOLDEN GATE;
+  Or, A Thrilling Capture in the Great Fog.
+7 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB ON THE GREAT LAKES;
+  Or, The Flying Dutchman of the Big Fresh Water.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated                    Price, per Volume, 75c.
+
+Sold by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of price.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+                   Henry Altemus Company
+1326-1336 Vine Street                      Philadelphia
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Battleship Boys Series
+
+By FRANK GEE PATCHIN
+
+These stories throb with the life of young Americans on today's huge drab
+Dreadnaughts.
+
+1 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS AT SEA;
+  Or, Two Apprentices in Uncle Sam's Navy.
+2 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS' FIRST STEP UPWARD;
+  Or, Winning Their Grades as Petty Officers.
+3 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN FOREIGN SERVICE;
+  Or, Earning New Ratings in European Seas.
+4 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN THE TROPICS;
+  Or, Upholding the American Flag in a Honduras Revolution.
+6 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN THE WARDROOM;
+  Or, Winning their Commissions as Line Officers.
+7 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS WITH THE ADRIATIC CHASERS;
+  Or, Blocking the Path of the Undersea Raiders.
+8 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS' SKY PATROL;
+  Or, Fighting the Hun from above the Clouds.
+
+Price, 75c. each
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Range and Grange Hustlers
+
+By FRANK GEE PATCHIN
+
+Have you any idea of the excitements, the glories of life on great
+ranches in the West? Any bright boy will "devour" the books of this
+series, once he has made a start with the first volume.
+
+1 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS ON THE RANCH;
+  Or, The Boy Shepherds of the Great Divide.
+2 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS' GREATEST ROUND-UP;
+  Or, Pitting Their Wits Against a Packers' Combine.
+3 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS ON THE PLAINS;
+  Or, Following the Steam Plows Across the Prairie.
+4 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS AT CHICAGO;
+  Or, The Conspiracy of the Wheat Pit.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated                    Price, per Volume, 75c.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Submarine Boys Series
+
+By VICTOR G. DURHAM
+
+1 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY;
+  Or, Life on a Diving Torpedo Boat.
+2 THE SUBMARINE BOYS' TRIAL TRIP;
+  Or, "Making Good" as Young Experts.
+3 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE MIDDIES;
+  Or, The Prize Detail at Annapolis.
+4 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE SPIES;
+  Or, Dodging the Sharks of the Deep.
+5 THE SUBMARINE BOYS' LIGHTNING CRUISE;
+  Or, The Young Kings of the Deep.
+6 THE SUBMARINE BOYS FOR THE FLAG;
+  Or, Deeding Their Lives to Uncle Sam.
+7 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE SMUGGLERS;
+  Or, Breaking Up the New Jersey Customs Frauds.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Square Dollar Boys Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+1 THE SQUARE DOLLAR BOYS WAKE UP;
+  Or, Fighting the Trolley Franchise Steal.
+2 THE SQUARE DOLLAR BOYS SMASH THE RING;
+  Or, In the Lists Against the Crooked Land Deal.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The College Girls Series
+
+By JESSIE GRAHAM FLOWER, A.M.
+
+1 GRACE HARLOWE'S FIRST YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.
+2 GRACE HARLOWE'S SECOND YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.
+3 GRACE HARLOWE'S THIRD YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.
+4 GRACE HARLOWE'S FOURTH YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.
+5 GRACE HARLOWE'S RETURN TO OVERTON CAMPUS.
+6 GRACE HARLOWE'S PROBLEM.
+7 GRACE HARLOWE'S GOLDEN SUMMER.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+All these books are bound in Cloth and will be sent postpaid on receipt
+of only 75 cents each.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Pony Rider Boys Series
+
+By FRANK GEE PATCHIN
+
+These tales may be aptly described the best books for boys and girls.
+
+     1 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE ROCKIES; Or, The Secret of the Lost
+     Claim.--2 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN TEXAS; Or, The Veiled Riddle of
+     the Plains.--3 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN MONTANA; Or, The Mystery of
+     the Old Custer Trail.--4 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE OZARKS; Or,
+     The Secret of Ruby Mountain.--5 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE
+     ALKALI; Or, Finding a Key to the Desert Maze.--6 THE PONY RIDER
+     BOYS IN NEW MEXICO; Or, The End of the Silver Trail.--7 THE PONY
+     RIDER BOYS IN THE GRAND CANYON; Or, The Mystery of Bright Angel
+     Gulch.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated                    Price, per Volume, 75c.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Boys of Steel Series
+
+By JAMES R. MEARS
+
+Each book presents vivid picture of this great industry. Each story is
+full of adventure and fascination.
+
+     1 THE IRON BOYS IN THE MINES; Or, Starting at the Bottom of the
+     Shaft--2 THE IRON BOYS AS FOREMEN; Or, Heading the Diamond Drill
+     Shift.--3 THE IRON BOYS ON THE ORE BOATS; Or, Roughing It on the
+     Great Lakes.--4 THE IRON BOYS IN THE STEEL MILLS; Or, Beginning
+     Anew in the Cinder Pits.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated                    Price, per Volume, 75c.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Madge Morton Books
+
+By AMY D. V. CHALMERS
+
+1 MADGE MORTON--CAPTAIN OF THE MERRY MAID.
+2 MADGE MORTON'S SECRET.
+3 MADGE MORTON'S TRUST.
+4 MADGE MORTON'S VICTORY.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated                    Price, per Volume, 75c.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+West Point Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+The principal characters in these narratives are manly, young Americans
+whose doings will inspire all boy readers.
+
+1 DICK PRESCOTT'S FIRST YEAR AT WEST POINT;
+  Or, Two Chums in the Cadet Gray.
+2 DICK PRESCOTT'S SECOND YEAR AT WEST POINT;
+  Or, Finding the Glory of the Soldier's Life.
+3 DICK PRESCOTT'S THIRD YEAR AT WEST POINT;
+  Or, Standing Firm for Flag and Honor.
+4 DICK PRESCOTT'S FOURTH YEAR AT WEST POINT;
+  Or, Ready to Drop the Gray for Shoulder Straps.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated                    Price, per Volume, 75c.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Annapolis Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+The Spirit of the new Navy is delightfully and truthfully depicted in
+these volumes.
+
+1 DAVE DARRIN'S FIRST YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS;
+  Or, Two Plebe Midshipmen at the U. S. Naval Academy.
+2 DAVE DARRIN'S SECOND YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS;
+  Or, Two Midshipmen as Naval Academy "Youngsters."
+3 DAVE DARRIN'S THIRD YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS;
+  Or, Leaders of the Second Class Midshipmen.
+4 DAVE DARRIN'S FOURTH YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS;
+  Or, Headed for Graduation and the Big Cruise.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated                    Price, per Volume, 75c.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Young Engineers Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+The heroes of these stories are known to readers of the High School Boys
+Series. In this new series Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton prove worthy of
+all the traditions of Dick & Co.
+
+1 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN COLORADO;
+  Or, At Railroad Building in Earnest.
+2 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN ARIZONA;
+  Or, Laying Tracks on the "Man-Killer" Quicksand.
+3 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN NEVADA;
+  Or, Seeking Fortune on the Turn of a Pick.
+4 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN MEXICO;
+  Or, Fighting the Mine Swindlers.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated                    Price, per Volume, 75c.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Boys of the Army Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+These books breathe the life and spirit of the United States Army of
+to-day, and the life, just as it is, is described by a master pen.
+
+1 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE RANKS;
+  Or, Two Recruits in the United States Army.
+2 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS ON FIELD DUTY;
+  Or, Winning Corporal's Chevrons.
+3 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS SERGEANTS;
+  Or, Handling Their First Real Commands.
+4 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE PHILIPPINES;
+  Or, Following the Flag Against the Moros.
+6 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS LIEUTENANTS;
+  Or, Serving Old Glory as Line Officers.
+7 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS WITH PERSHING;
+  Or, Dick Prescott at Grips with the Boche.
+8 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS SMASH THE GERMANS;
+  Or, Winding Up the Great War.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Dave Darrin Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+1 DAVE DARRIN AT VERA CRUZ;
+  Or, Fighting With the U. S. Navy in Mexico.
+2 DAVE DARRIN ON MEDITERRANEAN SERVICE.
+3 DAVE DARRIN'S SOUTH AMERICAN CRUISE.
+4 DAVE DARRIN ON THE ASIATIC STATION.
+5 DAVE DARRIN AND THE GERMAN SUBMARINES.
+6 DAVE DARRIN AFTER THE MINE LAYERS;
+  Or, Hitting the Enemy a Hard Naval Blow.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Meadow-Brook Girls Series
+
+By JANET ALDRIDGE
+
+1 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS UNDER CANVAS.
+2 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS ACROSS COUNTRY.
+3 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS AFLOAT.
+4 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS IN THE HILLS.
+5 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS BY THE SEA.
+6 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS ON THE TENNIS COURTS.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+All these books are bound in Cloth and will be sent postpaid on receipt
+of only 75 cents each.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+High School Boys Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+In this series of bright, crisp books a new note has been struck.
+
+Boys of every age under sixty will be interested in these fascinating
+volumes.
+
+1 THE HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMEN;
+  Or, Dick & Co.'s First Year Pranks and Sports.
+2 THE HIGH SCHOOL PITCHER;
+  Or, Dick & Co. on the Gridley Diamond.
+3 THE HIGH SCHOOL LEFT END;
+  Or, Dick & Co. Grilling on the Football Gridiron.
+4 THE HIGH SCHOOL CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM;
+  Or, Dick & Co. Leading the Athletic Vanguard.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated                    Price, per Volume, 75c.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Grammar School Boys Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+This series of stories, based on the actual doings of grammar school
+boys, comes near to the heart of the average American boy.
+
+1 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS OF GRIDLEY;
+  Or, Dick & Co. Start Things Moving.
+2 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS SNOWBOUND;
+  Or, Dick & Co. at Winter Sports.
+3 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN THE WOODS;
+  Or, Dick & Co. Trail Fun and Knowledge.
+4 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER ATHLETICS;
+  Or, Dick & Co. Make Their Fame Secure.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated                    Price, per Volume, 75c.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+High School Boys' Vacation Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+"Give us more Dick Prescott books!"
+
+This has been the burden of the cry from young readers of the country
+over. Almost numberless letters have been received by the publishers,
+making this eager demand; for Dick Prescott, Dave Darrin, Tom Reade, and
+the other members of Dick & Co. are the most popular high school boys in
+the land. Boys will alternately thrill and chuckle when reading these
+splendid narratives.
+
+1 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' CANOE CLUB;
+  Or, Dick & Co.'s Rivals on Lake Pleasant.
+2 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER CAMP;
+  Or, The Dick Prescott Six Training for the Gridley Eleven.
+3 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' FISHING TRIP;
+  Or, Dick & Co. in the Wilderness.
+4 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' TRAINING HIKE;
+  Or, Dick & Co. Making Themselves "Hard as Nails."
+
+Cloth, Illustrated                    Price, per Volume, 75c.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Circus Boys Series
+
+By EDGAR B. P. DARLINGTON
+
+Mr. Darlington's books breathe forth every phase of an intensely
+interesting and exciting life.
+
+1 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE FLYING RINGS;
+  Or, Making the Start in the Sawdust Life.
+2 THE CIRCUS BOYS ACROSS THE CONTINENT;
+  Or, Winning  New Laurels on the Tanbark.
+3 THE CIRCUS BOYS IN DIXIE LAND;
+  Or, Winning the Plaudits of the Sunny South.
+4 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE MISSISSIPPI;
+  Or, Afloat with the Big Show on the Big River.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated                    Price, per Volume, 75c.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The High School Girls Series
+
+By JESSIE GRAHAM FLOWER, A.M.
+
+These breezy stories of the American High School Girl take the reader
+fairly by storm.
+
+1 GRACE HARLOWE'S PLEBE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL;
+  Or, The Merry Doings of the Oakdale Freshman Girls.
+2 GRACE HARLOWE'S SOPHOMORE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL;
+  Or, The Record of the Girl Chums in Work and Athletics.
+3 GRACE HARLOWE'S JUNIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL;
+  Or, Fast Friends in the Sororities.
+4 GRACE HARLOWE'S SENIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL;
+  Or, The Parting of the Ways.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated                    Price, per Volume, 75c.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Automobile Girls Series
+
+By LAURA DENT CRANE
+
+No girl's library--no family book-case can be considered at all complete
+unless it contains these sparkling twentieth-century books.
+
+     1 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT NEWPORT; Or, Watching the Summer
+     Parade.--2 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS IN THE BERKSHIRES; Or, The Ghost
+     of Lost Man's Trail.--3 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS ALONG THE HUDSON;
+     Or, Fighting Fire in Sleepy Hollow.--4 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT
+     CHICAGO; Or, Winning Out Against Heavy Odds.--5 THE AUTOMOBILE
+     GIRLS AT PALM BEACH; Or, Proving Their Mettle Under Southern
+     Skies.--6 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT WASHINGTON; Or, Checkmating the
+     Plots of Foreign Spies.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated                    Price, per Volume, 75c.
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
+
+Page 155, "prevous" changed to "previous"
+Page 181, "mask" changed to "mast"
+Page 210, "nothing goes on on" changed to "nothing goes on"
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dave Darrin After The Mine Layers, by 
+H. Irving Hancock
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVE DARRIN AFTER THE MINE LAYERS ***
+
+***** This file should be named 23036.txt or 23036.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/2/3/0/3/23036/
+
+Produced by Suzanne Lybarger, Brian Janes and the booksmiths
+at http://www.eBookForge.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
diff --git a/23036.zip b/23036.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5082986
--- /dev/null
+++ b/23036.zip
diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6312041
--- /dev/null
+++ b/LICENSE.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
+jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize
+this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright
+status under the laws that apply to them.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e7ea88a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #23036 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/23036)
author	Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org>	2025-10-15 02:00:11 -0700
committer	Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org>	2025-10-15 02:00:11 -0700
commit	0e1e1fdc407cb5719c78460c7613eac50d2cb77a (patch)
tree	b48b1532bca915d665d1175f3141ea9c11b53ca4