Eagerly the lads gazed at the strange sights before them. On their right rose several huge buildings; evidently workshops. On the left they could see a field devoted to the erection and testing of several gigantic dirigibles. Everywhere they saw bustling activity on the part of the numerous workmen. Sentries paced about with arms in readiness.
“That fleet of submarines looks to me as if Germany were preparing to destroy every ship in the world!” stated Jack presently, as the destroyer on which they stood passed the undersea craft.
“The workmen seem to be fitting out some of the divers, too!” ventured Jimmie. “See them carrying packages aboard that outside one!”
“Maybe the grocer is coming to deliver the goods in the rear!” laughed Ned. “Those packages look like groceries in disguise!”
“I’ll bet Mackinder would like to see those submarines!” Harry said. “He’d give his eyes almost for one good long look at them!”
“Mackinder won’t see enough to carry any news back home from this place!” declared Frank. “Didn’t you see the officer take him below?”
“Yes, I did! I also saw the black look he gave us as he was being taken away from this deck house. He likes us a lot—nit!”
“I believe the commander of this craft is favorably disposed toward us,” put in Ned. “He probably realizes that we want to be neutral and that our presence in this neighborhood is due to our misfortune and not to our fault. I do wish, though,” the lad added, “that we could leave!”
“How much would you give to get away?” questioned Jimmie.
“I’d give a good deal!” replied Ned. “I don’t like the idea of remaining on this island a prisoner for any length of time!”
“Well, if you’ll make it worth while,” Jimmie offered, “I’ll take you along as a passenger. You must behave, though!”
“Ah!” smiled Ned, thinking Jimmie was indulging in another of his jokes. “May I ask when your ship leaves?”
“I’m thinking of leaving about midnight or a little after,” stated Jimmie, gravely. “It will depend somewhat on the wind and weather. If it comes on to blow and the sea is rough I believe we’ll get out on time. However, if this breeze should die away, we may not go!”
“You’re rather reversing the order of things,” commented Ned. “Most captains want clear weather and smooth seas for their departure!”
“Well, if it remains stormy, as it has every prospect of doing and you want a swift ride, you just keep watch of your uncle!”
“Thanks!” laughed Ned. “You may surely count on me!”
“May we go along, too, Jimmie?” asked Harry.
“Sure, you may all go!” answered the lad. “But I warn you right now,” he added, “that you’ll have to work your passage!”
“That suits me!” returned Harry, greatly amused at carrying on what he considered as a pleasant joke to while away the time.
But to Jimmie, at least, the matter was not by any means to be regarded as anything but a serious proposition. The lad had quickly formulated a plan of escape. The very daring of his intended action was its best guarantee of success. Failure meant disaster, but Jimmie was prepared to risk all in the attempt.
For a time the lad said no more. His tightly shut jaws showed the determination that possessed him. The others became absorbed in observing and discussing the monster Zeppelin dirigibles, hence they said nothing more upon the subject. There was much to attract their attention.
Directly they were summoned before the commander. As they entered the cabin the Sturmvogel drew up alongside a dock.
“Young men,” the officer began as the lads entered the cabin, “I regret keenly the circumstances that seem to make it necessary for us to detain you. I understand how anxious you must be to reach your homes, but it is not possible to permit you to depart at this time. You will be given every consideration during your stay at this place.”
“Can’t we go with you when you leave here?” asked Frank.
“No, that is impossible!” the other replied, shaking his head.
“Then maybe some other vessel will call and we can get passage on it? We are not particular about the class of accommodations!”
“You forget that for some distance in every direction the sea is mined. No vessels approach this island unless they know the channels.”
“Then I guess we’ll have to be contented,” sighed the lad.
“Is Mackinder going to remain here also?” questioned Ned.
“I am very sure of it!” smiled the commander. “I believe that several members of the guard are quite prepared to insist upon his staying here until the knowledge he now possesses would be of no use to his own country. Yes,” he added, “Mackinder will remain!”
“I hope matters will be arranged so that we shall soon be able to leave for home,” stated Ned. “We are not anxious to leave good company, but we would like to get away from the scene of so much trouble. We want to remain strictly neutral, and think the best place for that is at home!”
“I haven’t a doubt of your neutrality!” declared the officer heartily. “You may be assured that I shall do everything to help you. I believe I can arrange so that certain privileges will be granted. It will not be necessary, I am sure, to confine you to one of the buildings.”
“Thank you!” replied Ned, gratefully. “You are most kind.”
“And now, if you please, we will go ashore to meet the officer in charge of this place,” stated the other. “You will like him, I’m sure.”
Congratulating themselves on the kindness shown in their behalf the boys prepared to leave the Sturmvogel. They collected the kits of the four who had left Amsterdam on the Lena Knobloch. As they gained the dock they found the small boat in which they had left the schooner. It was evidently being preserved as evidence of the circumstance of the rescue.
Already the work of provisioning and fitting the vessel was in progress. The wireless had been busily used during the last few hours of their voyage to the end that just the supplies needed were waiting at the wharf. A huge coal barge fitted with a “whirlie” had drawn up alongside. Great buckets of coal were pouring into the bunkers, while porters carried all sorts of stores and supplies aboard. Cases of ammunition were being hoisted aboard and stowed in their proper compartments.
Stepping along the dock, dodging wagons loaded with fresh provisions and stores, the boys kept pace with their friend, the commander.
Presently they reached one of the buildings given over to the use of offices. Here they were admitted into a room, where they found the officer in command of the island.
A short conversation in German served to inform this gentleman of the situation so far as the commander of the destroyer could report. At the end of the recital the boys were addressed by the one they had been brought to visit, who had been introduced as General Gruenwold.
“I understand that you young gentlemen lost an airship when the schooner sank?” he inquired of Ned, motioning the boys to chairs.
“Yes, sir!” replied Ned. “It was, of course, a complete loss.”
“Then you understand machinery pretty well?”
“We have always thought so,” was the modest reply.
“And electricity?”
“Yes, sir. We understand wireless, also.”
“Then I am fortunate. Perhaps you would consent to assist us in some difficult technical tasks we have on hand.”
“We shall be glad to do what we may to reimburse you for our keep if you will be good enough to assist us to return to the United States!”
“Let us discuss that at another time, if you please,” replied Gruenwold. “Just now we are short of practical electricians. If you will offer your services in that direction we shall be very grateful. You may be sure that we shall not be forgetful when it is possible to reciprocate.”
“Thank you,” replied Ned in acknowledgment of the indirect promise. “Now, if you will show us what you want done we shall be most happy to proceed. I believe we have nothing else to do.”
“Here are some plans,” stated the other, opening a cabinet at one side of the room. “In these compartments are plans of certain vessels. You will observe on these sheets marked ‘elek.’ complete diagrams of the plan of wiring. Take this one, for instance. Do you think you could understand what is meant by these tracings?”
Ned studied the diagram for a few moments. The other boys leaned over his shoulder. Presently, after conferring with his friends, the lad announced that he understood the drawings perfectly, even though he was unable to read the explanations which were in the German language.
A smile lighted the face of Gruenwold as this statement was made. Evidently the need for completing the work was urgent.
“In that case, we will ask you to accompany this orderly on board the vessel and proceed with the work. I will write an order directing the ones in charge of the vessel to admit you and render such aid as may be necessary. Later I will send a man who can speak English.”
While the general was writing the necessary order to the ones in charge of the vessel to which he had referred the boys were busy communicating with each other by means of the mute language, in which they were quite adept. By supreme efforts they were able to suppress the excitement under which they were laboring.
“What a piece of luck!” rapidly signalled Jimmie to Ned.
“Keep cool!” cautioned Ned in reply. “Don’t give it away!”
“Insist that we stay together on the job,” returned Jimmie.
“You may be sure I shall do that!” came the answer instantly.
“I hope the storm increases!” was Jack’s contribution.
“Now, gentlemen,” announced the general, “if you are ready to proceed you may accompany this man. He will direct you to the work.”
Ned bowed in acknowledgment and the party turned to accompany the orderly, who appeared in answer to the summons of his superior.
They were led away from the dock at which the Sturmvogel lay. In a short time they had traversed a goodly distance toward the mouth of the harbor. Their destination proved to be the building adjacent to the group of submarine vessels. By inquiries both direct and indirect Ned and his companions decided that the orderly was unable to comprehend English, but for the sake of absolute safety they continued to use the sign language largely in their conversation as they proceeded.
In a short time they had been admitted to the outermost craft, which lay moored to its fellows. Communication had been established between the vessels by means of a row of planks laid from deck to deck.
Once inside the submarine the boys made a hurried yet thorough examination of every part, taking a complete inventory of the exact state of affairs. Frank and Jimmie managed to overhaul the stores. Harry and Jack looked over the mechanical equipment. Ned, with the plans in his hands, went carefully over every detail of the electric system.
“I say, fellows,” announced Ned at length, as all the lads met beneath the hatch, “this wagon is nearly complete. It looks a lot like the ‘U-13’!”
“That’s what it does!” agreed Jimmie. “What more is needed?”
“A few pieces of wire and about an hour’s work for me.”
“Frank and I have found enough food to last a couple of months if we can count hardtack, sausage, and the supply of canned goods.”
“Jack and I,” announced Harry, “have found the engines and pumps apparently ready for duty in a moment. My idea is that they are trying to get this vessel ready for a cruise at the first possible moment.”
“It looks as if they are expecting a crew from some place and want the boat ready for duty as soon as the crew arrives!” stated Ned.
Further conversation was cut short by the arrival of the orderly.
“Essen?” he inquired, pointing at his mouth and rubbing his belt.
“Don’t say it twice!” cried Jimmie. “We heard you the first time!”
The boys prepared to follow the orderly, who evidently intended to escort them to the mess hall, where they would secure dinner.
As they turned toward the iron ladder leading to the hatch Jimmie, who had followed close upon the orderly’s heels, cried out:
“Hello, Mackinder, where you from?”
“Who’s there, Jimmie?” asked Ned, pressing forward.
“Nobody now,” answered the other. “I thought I saw our friend Mackinder looking down the hatchway, but possibly I was mistaken. At any rate he’s gone now and we’d better hurry on for dinner.”
“Mackinder’s a prisoner here,” stated Ned, positively.
“Maybe he broke loose,” suggested Harry.
“All right, I’m going up to the deck and look about,” said Ned.
As the boys reached the narrow confines of the small deck at the top of the conning tower they saw a figure hastening along the foot planks that led from vessel to vessel. The fleeing person was now almost at the building on the wharf. In a moment the shelter of this structure had been gained. The figure dodged out of sight.
“Now, that’s a funny thing to do!” mused Ned. “I wonder just what the fellow wanted. Are you sure it was Mackinder, Jimmie?”
“No, I’m not,” admitted the lad. “Of course, the face was in shadow as he looked down the hatch. I’m not positive, but thought it was he.”
“Well, let’s not bother about it any more,” said Ned, apparently dismissing the subject. “We’re too hungry for any more mysteries!”
As only hungry boys can the five attacked the ample dinner provided for them. The dishes were strange but appetizing. Jimmie declared that he intended to remain in that location for some time in order to become acquainted with the chef. He said that he would be the envy of the entire Wolf Patrol if he could cook in German style.
After dinner the boys gathered in the lee of a small building, where they would be protected from the chilling blasts. Puffy squalls, bearing dashes of snow, sleet or rain, came threshing out of the west. It appeared to the lads that the weather was growing decidedly worse.
In spite of the inclement weather a number of the hardy workmen were indulging in out of door sports during their rest hour.
For some time the lads watched the games as the hardy men relaxed their work-tensed muscles. The sullen booming of surf on the rocky coast constantly sounded in their ears.
“There goes our late rescuer!” announced Jimmie presently.
“Where?” asked Frank. “Whom do you mean?”
“The Sturmvogel!” answered Jimmie, pointing toward the harbor, where could be seen the speedy destroyer slipping quietly out to sea.
“Here’s hoping you have a good voyage, friend!” said Frank.
“Yes,” added Jimmie, “we’ll see you a little later!”
“That reminds me,” put in Ned, “we might as well get back to the ‘U-13’ and begin work. There’s no use delaying the game!”
“That’s right,” agreed Harry. “These fellows are probably in a hurry for that submarine. We might as well be decent.”
“Wait a minute,” suggested Jimmie. “You’ve given me an idea! Your mention of the name of a certain undersea craft started a train of thought in my alleged brain. Take it easy for a moment!”
“Yes,” cried Jack, in mock sympathy, “stand back! Give him air! If Jimmie is really going to think, let’s give him lots of room!”
“Aw, you go on!” scorned Jimmie. “I’ve got a right to think if I want to, haven’t I? I guess that’s my privilege!”
“Not unless you have a union card!” protested Jack, laughing.
“That’s all right,” retorted Jimmie with a grin as he wrinkled a freckled nose at the other. “I was going to think about a scab, anyhow, so I don’t need a card. Besides, this is on overtime!”
“All right, you win!” declared Jack, submissively. “Go ahead!”
“If you’ll promise to never, never tell, I’ll let you in on the scheme!” whispered Jimmie, glancing about to make sure that no strangers were within earshot. “Do you solemnly promise?”
“I do!” answered the boys in chorus, anxious to receive the news.
“Then here it is: If we could paint the name ‘U-13’ on that tub there’s nothing to prevent our getting away in it!”
“Hush, Jimmie!” cautioned Ned, in a startled tone.
“Hush nothing!” declared the other boldly. “It’s now or never! The destroyer’s gone—everything’s gone that could chase us. Mackinder’s loose on this island. He’ll make us trouble if we stay. If we go now we are safe from pursuit until another German boat comes in unless they flash the news by wireless. In that case, we have an even chance of getting away. If we don’t go now tell me when we can get home?”
“I guess you’re right, Jimmie, but how are you going to work it?”
“Simply putter along this afternoon,” explained the lad, “fixing the wiring and so on. If necessary, rip out some and replace it. We can get in one another’s way enough to kill a lot of time. After supper we’ll manage to slip back to the submarine, paint ‘U-13’ on the side, every man to his post, let go lines easy and skedaddle for the open sea.”
“It sounds easy enough,” assented Harry.
“Yes, unless you happen to get caught!” agreed Ned.
“What is there to catch us?” asked Jimmie, bristling at this hint of opposition. “The guards are all wise to the fact that the channel is mined. They will be sleepy and lazy. They know that the torpedoes are not aboard yet and believe it impossible for the submarine to leave without a crew. The weather looks as if it were going to be rough. What more can you want? It looks to me as if we’d never have another chance like it!”
“Right you are, Mr. Wolf!” declared Frank. “I, for one, am willing to take a chance. I’ll go with you to the limit!”
“Here, too!” heartily agreed Ned. “How about it, boys?”
Eagerly the others signified their willingness to undertake the task suggested. They felt no compunction over the seizure of the boat.
“Now, we’ll have to do some tall thinking before night comes!” stated Jimmie. “Each of us’ll have his station and we must know just what to do at the proper time. I had this in mind ever since we came up the harbor past those boats. I noticed particularly the buoys marking the safe channel leading into this harbor.”
“Good for you!” cried Ned, administering an affectionate slap upon Jimmie’s shoulder. “I knew you had something up your sleeve!”
“So did I!” added Jack. “I couldn’t guess what it was, though!”
“It was my arm!” declared Jimmie, with mock gravity. “Now, let’s go back to this ‘Untervasserbootschiff’ and stall around a while.”
“Correct!” cried Harry. “We’ll rehearse for this evening. We shall depend on Jimmie to be the pilot, though!”
“Leave it to me!” declared the younger lad. “I know where the buoys are! I have them all located in my head!”
“But we must be mighty careful,” declared Ned. “We don’t know how much English these fellows understand. They must not suspect!”
“Mum’s the word!” put in Frank. “Everybody mum!”
First visiting the warehouse at the wharf, where they procured a quantity of supplies, such as might be needed to carry out the work which they were supposed to be doing, the lads proceeded aboard the submarine.
Upon their arrival they found a painter at work inscribing the vessel with identifying marks. He had proceeded so far as to place “U-1—” on each side of the vessel. Jimmie joyfully declared that fortune was playing into their hands in this respect, and that if something would compel the man to quit work for a while the disguise could be quickly made.
At Ned’s request Harry began fitting wires from the storage batteries to the motors used for propelling the vessel. The boys were startled to hear him utter an exclamation of dismay. They found upon inquiry that he had endeavored to strip the insulation from a wire by using his pocket knife and had cut a finger badly.
“Pooh, pooh!” stated Jimmie, upon discovering the wound. “Don’t make so much fuss over a little thing like that. We’ll soon have you fixed up. Here, just hold the wound closed with your other hand while I hunt up some bandages. You’ll be all right in a minute!”
But Harry declared that the wound pained excessively. He refused to treat the matter lightly, but gathered up the tools with which he had been working. These he deposited in a canvas bag in which they had been brought aboard the vessel.
Presently Jimmie located a first aid kit among the stores. He was not long in cleansing and bandaging the wound.
“There you are!” he stated. “Just as good as new! Now go lie down for a little while. I’ll finish this job if I know enough.”
Chatting together in a somewhat nervous manner the boys anxiously awaited the approach of evening. As the time wore on their restlessness increased. Again and again they carefully went over each detail of their proposed plan for escape in the submarine.
It was decided that Jimmie should take the wheel while Harry stood watch at the engines. The others were assigned to various other duties at favorable positions. Nothing remained except to wait for night.
A short time before darkness settled an orderly visited the craft. He was able to converse slightly in English.
“How are you getting along, boys?” he asked, as he stepped down the iron ladder. “Can we put the torpedoes aboard tomorrow?”
“Yes, I think you will be able to place the torpedoes after tomorrow morning,” replied Ned. “We will have our work all done then.”
“That is good!” was the other’s comment. “Where is Mackinder?” was his next question. “He will have to come ashore now!” he added.
“Mackinder?” was Ned’s startled response. “He’s not here.”
“But he was here!” firmly declared the orderly. “He was seen by one of the sentries to come aboard this vessel, and has not since been noticed going ashore, although a close watch has been kept!”
“We haven’t seen him at all!” stated Ned, just as firmly.
“We shall have to search the vessel!” affirmed the orderly. “You will please remain aboard for a short time.”
Quickly ascending the ladder the man summoned another soldier from the shore. Together the two made a hasty examination of the boat.
Unable to discover any trace of the missing prisoner they shook their heads as if greatly puzzled. Now and again they glanced at the boys, exchanging at the same time comments in German.
“Come with us,” finally said the first visitor.
Obediently the lads followed ashore. They were conducted to the office building, where they were shown into the presence of General Gruenwold at once. In a few words the orderly stated the case.
“This looks serious, boys,” commented the General. “Can you not explain the whereabouts of Mackinder? He is a prisoner, you know!”
“We know nothing of the man!” declared Ned, earnestly. “We don’t like him and surely would not think of assisting him to escape!”
“If you please, sir,” began the orderly, “it is the opinion of my comrade and myself that the boys have done away with Mackinder!”
“What!” almost shouted Gruenwold, rising from his chair.
“Yes, sir,” continued the man. “There was found in the boat much blood. A hammer in their tool kit was also blood-stained. We think they possibly made away with him and might have dropped his body into the harbor very quietly without being seen from shore!”
“This is serious, indeed!” gasped Gruenwold. “We shall investigate this in the morning. Meanwhile, search the vessel again. The boys will be put in the guardhouse until tomorrow.”
Protests on the part of the lads were unavailing. Gruenwold was determined in his decision. Ned’s explanation of the presence of the blood in the vessel was listened to, but without influencing the general.
Directly the lads found themselves in a room used for the accommodation of such prisoners as might need confinement for a time. The island boasted no regular prison, but a house not far from the water had been utilized for the purpose. A guard paced a beat in the vicinity.
Disappointed and angry at the turn of affairs the lads made but a poor supper of the food that was brought to them. Presently they composed themselves to sleep on the floor.
A tapping at the window attracted their attention.
“What’s that?” inquired Ned, startled at the unexpected sound.
“Loose board, I guess,” replied Jimmie, rather disgruntled at the turn affairs had taken. “The wind’s ripping everything loose!”
Again the tapping was repeated in an insistent manner.
“I’m going to see what’s going on here!” declared Ned, rising from his position. “Some one is trying to communicate with us!”
“Some bloomin’ Dutchman’s tryin’ to ask us whether we want sausage with our pancakes for breakfast!” growled Jimmie. “Let ’em alone!”
Disregarding this statement the older lad proceeded toward the window, where fitful gusts of sleet beat. Outside the darkness covered everything. Only an occasional point of light indicated a sentry hut.
“Who’s there?” demanded Ned in a low tone.
“Sh-h-h!” came a hiss from the darkness. “Open the window!”
Ned fumbled a moment at the fastening. Presently he found the catch sliding the sash back in its channel. An exclamation escaped him as he did so. The face of the visitor was none other than that of their missing acquaintance, Mackinder. Ned was astounded.
“Thought you were dead!” he cried in amazement.
“Hush!” cautioned the other. “Not so loud. Now, if you lads want to get out of here this is your time. Everybody’s busy or asleep!”
“How do you know we want to get out of here?” demanded Jimmie in a low tone as he approached the opening.
“Don’t you suppose I have eyes? I saw what you were up to!”
“Oh, you did, eh? Then what do you want us to do?”
“If you want to get away from this place according to your plan, now is the time to take action,” replied Mackinder in a whisper. “If you prefer to wait until tomorrow and stand trial for an offense of which you are innocent I cannot offer any objection of course.”
“Ned, I think we’d better make our getaway while the going’s good!”
“Second the motion!” declared Harry, who had softly approached the window. “Let’s make a noise like a drum!”
“I’m with you!” stated Frank, raising a foot to the window sill.
“Easy there!” cautioned Jimmie. “Mind your step!”
Frank was through the window in an instant. He landed on the earth with Mackinder’s assistance without noise. Quickly the others followed. Ned took the precaution to slide the window shut.
Cautiously the little group of six made their way in the direction of the wharf where the submarines were moored. Mackinder took the lead as if familiar with the ground. Once he paused, extending a warning hand to Jimmie, who was directly behind him. The lad performed a similar service for those in the rear. A sentry was approaching.
Mackinder sank upon the ground. Although the night was too dark for the lads to see this action they were close enough to be aware of the movement. Instantly all followed suit.
In a moment they breathed more freely. The sentry had passed within a few paces of their position. Evidently his feeling of security in the isolation of the island had made him somewhat negligent of his duties. He proceeded against the storm with head bent low.
Again Mackinder rose to his feet. Cautiously he crept forward.
On tiptoe the party gained the shelter of the warehouse.
“Gee!” declared Jimmie as the edge of the wharf was gained, “I clean forgot my kit! What shall we do?”
“Hush!” warned Ned. “Don’t even dare think of your kit!”
“I should say not!” put in Harry. “Think of your head instead!”
“And the mines at the harbor entrance,” added Frank.
“All right!” submissively agreed Jimmie. “I’ll keep quiet!”
The wind had risen to such an extent that walking on the narrow planking was not only uncertain but extremely dangerous. Mackinder solved the problem by dropping to all fours. The boys followed suit.
Directly they gained the submarine, the hatch was placed quietly in position for prompt closing and the lines which held the boat were let go.
Owing to the movement of the boats caused by the roughened surface of the harbor creakings and groanings of the fenders had served to drown any noise the party had made in crossing the narrow bridge of planks.
Jimmie held the wheel as Ned gave the signal for casting off the lines. A touch of Harry’s hand on the lever started the engines. The submarine began to move. Suddenly a loud splash alongside attracted the attention of all. Frank came scuttling down the ladder.
“Now I’ve done it!” he gasped. “I forgot to shove the plank back onto the next boat and it fell into the water as we started!”
“Wonder if the guard has heard it!” speculated Ned. “Let me up!”
Under protests from his companions the lad mounted the iron ladder and thrust his head through the hatch.
“I hear someone running along the dock!” he announced presently. “I’ll bet they have heard that noise! I see a light!” he added.
“What are they doing?” inquired Jimmie, holding the boat directly in the center of the channel as he peered anxiously ahead.
“A fellow with a lantern is running out along the planks,” replied Ned. “They’ve got to the outside boat now. Now they’re turning back.”
“Better get that hatch closed so we can dive,” admonished Jimmie. “This is our time for getting out of sight in a hurry!”
“There goes their searchlight!” shouted Frank, who had crowded up the ladder close beside Ned. “They’re going to spot us in a hurry!”
“Ah,” cried Ned as a sullen roar came to their ears. “They’re taking a chance shot at us from that cannon on the hill. Let’s dive!”
Quickly the two boys adjusted the hatch. As they signaled to their companions that this task was completed Harry and Jack turned the deflecting rudders. The half-manned submarine slowly began to descend.
“Get some water into the tanks quick, Harry!” called Jimmie.
“Pump’s going right now!” declared the other. “We’re going down!”
“Take a look through the periscope, Ned,” requested the pilot, “and let me know what you can make out. Can you see any buoys ahead?”
“Try to see if they’ve located us with their searchlight,” suggested Mackinder. “Maybe they are getting our range with that gun!”
“Never mind about that searchlight,” snapped Jimmie. “I want to find out what’s ahead, not what’s behind us. We’ll run this boat!”
“I simply wanted to know,” objected Mackinder somewhat ruffled at the lad’s peremptory manner. “No objection, is there?”
“All the objection in the world!” declared Jimmie. “You’re quite welcome aboard as a passenger, but we’ll navigate the vessel, please!”
Scarcely knowing whether to be amused or defiant at this attitude Mackinder chose the wiser course and refrained from further comment.
Although the boys could not be sure that the persons on the island were making efforts to hinder their escape they felt the better course was to remain beneath the surface until well out of the harbor.
Directly Jimmie called the attention of his comrades to an object in the water at no great distance ahead. The rays of the searchlight with which the submarine was provided indistinctly revealed a huge bulk slightly above the level at which they were traveling.
“What is that, a ship?” asked Harry wonderingly.
“I’ll bet a cookie that’s a mine!” declared Jimmie positively. “I’m going to give it a little more leeway, anyhow. It pays to be safe!”
Ned was working the periscope in an effort to locate the buoys as directed by Jimmie. Occasionally he turned the glass toward the group of buildings they had just left.
“They’re shooting at us, I guess!” he stated presently. “I can see the flash of that cannon. It seems to be pointed this way!”
“Let ’em shoot, they can’t see anything but the periscope and they’d have an awful time hitting that!” boasted Jimmie.
Scarcely had the lad spoken before the vessel was shaken by the force of a mighty concussion. A gigantic wave tossed the craft up and forward with a heave that threw the boys off their feet.
“What was that?” gasped Jimmie glancing at his companions with a terrified face. “Has one of the fuel tanks blown up?”
“Nothing doing!” replied Harry. “I think that cannon hit the mine we just passed. I’m glad we were no closer!”
“We’ll soon be out of their range!” stated Jimmie. “Shut up your periscope and we’ll go deeper. Give us a little more speed, Harry!”
In an hour Jimmie declared that they should be out of sight of the island altogether. The engines had been working at full speed ahead. Harry nursed the machinery constantly, knowing that it was new and would, therefore, require considerable care. Their urgent need for speed induced the lads to crowd the machinery to the limit, and Harry was gratified to note that every part responded properly to its task.
“Well, Mackinder,” stated Ned as the tension on their nerves began to relax with the increasing distance traveled, “we’re surely grateful to you for suggesting that we get away as you did!”
“My motive was largely a selfish one, I must confess,” returned Mackinder. “I wanted very badly to get away from that island.”
“How did they ever get hold of you, anyhow?” questioned Jack.
“I left Amsterdam the same evening you did. After the Lena Knobloch went past us as she did I knew there was little use trying to delay you. Therefore, my aide and myself left at once on a train for Rotterdam. There we found a fishing boat which we thought would answer our purpose. We induced the captain to take us aboard, intending to cross to England. After traveling some distance the storm overtook us. We were blown far out of our course. The vessel was badly battered. The crew left in a panic, leaving me on board. Just in time the German destroyer came along and took me off. That’s it in a nutshell.”
“Yes, and then when you discovered us in our little boat you went and told the captain of the destroyer a lot of nonsense, didn’t you?” questioned Jimmie in a somewhat aggressive manner. “Why did you do it?”
“I only told him that you had at one time a package that belonged to me. I wanted the package badly. I thought he would assist me.”
“That wasn’t a very nice way to go about it,” declared Jimmie with emphasis. “After searching our baggage twice, and after we had told you how the package was in our kits without our knowledge, also that it had been stolen away from our possession, why didn’t you believe us?”
“There is an old saying that all is fair in love and war!” replied Mackinder. “You know that my country and Germany are at war. As an officer in the British army, it is my duty to do everything possible to assist my country. I believe that package contains information that my country could use. That is my justification for my acts, and I hope you boys are fair-minded enough to hold no resentment.”
“I’m just fair-minded enough to be neutral,” declared Jimmie, “if I have to fight for the right to remain that way. I’m just a little sore at you for supposing that four boys who are citizens of a neutral country would be carrying information around for another country at war!”
“I’m sorry you feel that way,” said Mackinder. “I assure you there was nothing personal in my acts. I simply tried to do my best!”
“Well, you did a lot, at that!” returned the lad.
“All right, folks, let’s drop the subject,” spoke up Ned. “I feel that the air in here is getting bad. Suppose we go to the surface.”
“Right you are,” agreed Harry. “Let’s rise and fill the tanks!”
Jimmie, in compliance with this wish, steered the craft upward.
At the surface the boys found the water much smoother than they had expected would be the case. Jimmie declared that he intended painting the balance of the name “U-13” on the vessel while the other lads were occupied in airing out the vessel and refilling the compressed air tanks.
Slung in a boatswain’s chair over the sloping deck the lad soon completed this task. Feeling a considerable degree of elation at the success of his undertaking Jimmie returned with his brush and paint.
“If you’re ready now we’ll dive again and proceed!”
“Wait a minute, Mackinder’s still on deck!” stated Jack.
“He wasn’t there when I came below!” protested Jimmie.