CHAPTER XVI.
A TRAP IS SET.
It was late the following morning when Frank and Jack succeeded in gaining a private hearing with Lord Hastings.
“Now what is it you have on your mind?” he asked, when they were finally seated in his cabin.
“There are traitors on board, sir,” said Frank quietly.
Lord Hastings bounded to his feet.
“What is that you say?” he exclaimed. “Traitors? It is impossible. You should be more careful of your language.”
“It is true, sir,” said Jack. “We overheard them plotting last night.”
Lord Hastings slowly resumed his seat.
“I know you must have good reason for your words,” he replied; “but I can scarcely credit them. Who are these traitors?”
“Well,” said Frank, “one of them is the man who followed Jack and me in London. He is a sailor on board, but, owing to a false mustache, I did not recognize him until last night.”
“And the other?” queried Lord Hastings.
“The other,” said Frank, “you will find it very hard to believe is plotting against England. He is an officer on board, sir.”
“His name?” demanded Lord Hastings.
“Second Lieutenant Taylor, sir!”
“What!” exclaimed Lord Hastings, jumping to his feet in great excitement. “Lieutenant Taylor?”
“Yes, sir,” said Jack. “We overheard the two of them plotting last night.”
Lord Hastings paced back and forth for several moments. Then he sat down again.
“Tell me what you heard,” he commanded at length.
Frank related, almost word for word, the conversation the boys had overheard between Lieutenant Taylor and the sailor, Hardy, the night before.
For a long time after Frank had finished Lord Hastings sat wrapped in thought.
“It seems incredible,” he muttered at length; “but I am forced to believe that your words are true.” Then suddenly to Jack: “Mr. Templeton!”
“Sir!” and the midshipman’s hand came to a salute.
“Summon Lieutenant Edwards and Lieutenant Taylor. Then have the word passed for Hardy.
“Yes, sir,” and Jack moved toward the door.
“May I make so bold as to offer a suggestion, sir?” Frank asked, before Jack could leave the cabin.
“You may,” was the reply, and Lord Hastings motioned Jack to resume his seat.
“I would suggest, then, sir,” said Frank, “that, for the time being, matters be allowed to stand as they are. Now that we know their plans, they can do no damage. In fact, by a little judicious juggling of the wireless we might even be able to turn the presence of the plotters here to our advantage.”
“In what way?” demanded Lord Hastings.
“Why, sir,” explained Frank, “suppose they are furnished with wrong information? Not knowing that they are discovered, they will continue with their plans. Lieutenant Taylor said that the success of their plan would mean the destruction of the British North Sea fleet. Evidently they intend, through the 'fake’ message he spoke of, to lead the fleet into a trap when they believe the time is ripe.”
“My idea exactly,” interrupted Lord Hastings; “but go on.”
“Well, they must be allowed to gain a certain amount of authentic information, so as not to arouse their suspicions. But, at the proper time, we must see that they get such false information as will lead them to believe it is time for them to act. In some manner, probably by wireless, Lieutenant Taylor plans to communicate with the German fleet at Helgoland. That is why our operator must be disposed of. They must be allowed to do this.”
“Why?” asked Lord Hastings.
“So that false plans of the British fleet having been sent to the Germans—false plans that we must prepare carefully—we shall trap the German fleet, or a portion of it, instead of being trapped ourselves. In this manner we may be able to strike the first naval blow of the war.”
“You mean that we may succeed in drawing the German fleet into the open?”
“Yes, sir. Of course Admiral Jellicoe must be informed of how matters stand and how they progress, so that he may act in conjunction with us.”
For fully half an hour Lord Hastings sat twirling his thumbs, turning this scheme over in his mind. Neither Frank nor Jack interrupted his meditations, both awaiting his decision anxiously.
“The only difficulty I can see in your plan,” said Lord Hastings finally, “is how we shall get word to Admiral Jellicoe without the plotters overhearing. You say Hardy is an operator?”
“Yes,” replied Frank, “but whenever we are ready to send a communication to Admiral Jellicoe that we do not wish overheard, or to any other place, it will be very simple for Lieutenant Taylor, and Hardy also, to be ordered to some duty at the far end of the vessel at that moment.”
“So it will,” said Lord Hastings, slapping his knee. “Your plan is a splendid one; and, if it works out, as I believe it will, you will have rendered England a tremendous service—one that shall never be forgotten.”
“Then you will act upon my suggestion, sir?” exclaimed Frank with great delight.
“I shall; and I want to say that I am proud to have two such youngsters with me. Why, you both have been of greater value to me than I ever believed it possible for anyone to be.”
“Thank you, sir,” said both lads in a single voice.
“You may go now,” Lord Hastings continued, “while I remain and work out the details of the plan. And remember, not a word of this to a soul. Send Lieutenant Edwards to me!”
The boys saluted and left the commander’s cabin.
Emerging upon deck, they saw Lieutenant Edwards and Miss Beulow strolling about. They approached the couple.
“Lord Hastings requests that you report to him at once,” said Frank, coming to a salute.
The lieutenant departed, and the two boys and the young German girl continued their promenade.
“Well, well, how is our little enemy this morning?” came a voice suddenly.
Turning, they beheld the smiling countenance of Lieutenant Taylor.
“Very well, thank you,” replied Miss Beulow coldly, then ignoring the lieutenant, turned to the two boys and resumed her conversation.
“Come, come,” continued the lieutenant, “don’t be so standoffish. I like you, even if you are a German.”
The girl made no answer to this remark, and the lieutenant, after gazing resentfully at her a moment, took himself off.
“Do you know,” the girl confided to the two boys, “I do not like your Lieutenant Taylor. He seems out of place among the rest of you, and it seems to me I have seen him some place before, though I cannot remember where.”
This remark pleased Frank hugely, although, for some reason he was unable to explain why, even to himself. Aloud he only said:
“I guess it’s just his way, Miss Beulow.”
“Perhaps,” was the reply; “but I don’t like his way.”