CHAPTER III
The Sub's Stratagem
Ernst von Verbrennungsraum had not taken into account one of NoelFordyce's characteristics--that of grim, almost obstinatedetermination. Under the mistaken impression that, for the sake ofhis pet, the Sub would agree to his terms, the Secret Service agentapplied for and obtained a summons.
"I'll fight him while I have a penny left to call my own," declaredFordyce, and with this laudable intention he engaged the bestsolicitor in Otherport.
The German could not now back out without loss of dignity as arespected member of the Otherport Town Council. He had to proceedwith the case, unless Fordyce capitulated.
The morning of the day fixed for the hearing came round. NoelFordyce, in uniform, made his way towards the Town Hall. Flirt wassafely under lock and key. An hour would decide whether she was tolive or die.
The young officer had not reached the end of the road when an Irishterrier bounded up to him. It was Nell, Colonel Richardson's animaland Flirt's mother, a quiet, affectionate and absolutely inoffensivelittle beast. Flirt did not inherit her one bad trait from hermother.
"Go back, Nell," ordered Noel. "Home! I can't take you for a strollthis morning."
The dog, for once in a way, took no notice of the command. Afterseveral vain attempts to send her back, Fordyce gave it up as a badjob, and with Nell close at his heels he entered the Town Hall.
The police on duty at the door of the court made no attempt to turnthe animal off. They naturally but erroneously thought that this wasthe canine delinquent.
While Fordyce was chatting with his solicitor the dog beganexploring. Round the well of the court she trotted, wagging herstumpy tail; then, receiving a friendly caress from the bewiggedclerk, she proceeded, with scant regard to judicial authority, to thebench itself, where the Great Unpaid gave her a cordial welcome.
Just then Councillor Mindiggle appeared. Catching sight of the dog,the spy let himself go with a display of excitability that almostbetrayed his Hunnish nationality.
"That's the dog!" he exclaimed. "The dangerous brute! Take care,gentlemen; she's vicious!"
The magistrates evidently thought otherwise. A ripple of laughter ranthrough the court.
"By Jove!" thought Fordyce, an inspiration flitting across his mind."I'll risk it for Flirt's sake. Mr. Clinton," he said in a low toneto his solicitor. "We decided that I was not to be put into thewitness-box. I've changed my mind. Call me as the first witness forthe defence, if you please."
The solicitor shrugged his shoulders.
"I wouldn't if I were you," he remarked. "But as you like."
The court opened, Fordyce's case was the first to be called. Theclerk read the indictment, the defendant pleaded not guilty, and JohnMindiggle was asked to give evidence.
He did so, stating most emphatically on oath that the dog present incourt was the animal that had bitten him.
Sub-Lieutenant Noel Fordyce, called and sworn, was equally emphaticin his statement that the dog was not with him on the day inquestion, and consequently could not have bitten the complainant. Ifhe, Fordyce, had apologized, he had done so on behalf of another dog.
"And you can see for yourselves, gentlemen," he concluded, "that thisanimal is quite a harmless, well-conducted dog. I can affirm that tothe best of my knowledge and belief she has never bitten or evenattempted to bite anyone."
The magistrates consulted, and soon gave a unanimous verdict for thedefendant.
"Costs, I presume, against the prosecution?" asked Fordyce'ssolicitor.
"Certainly; the prosecution is to pay costs," was the mandate.
Calling to the dog, the Sub left the court. Not until he was severalstreets away did he give vent to his pent-up feelings of delight.
"Well, old girl," he exclaimed, "you've saved my Flirt. By Jove, itwas a rotten trick, though! I wouldn't have done it if that skunkhadn't tried to make me do an underhand job. He forced my hand. Itwas for Flirt's sake."
Had Fordyce known the true facts his qualms of conscience would nothave troubled him in the least. As it was, the knowledge that he hadwon by means of a piece of sharp practice was not in accord with hisinstincts as an officer and a gentleman.
"Well?" enquired his father laconically.
"Verdict against Mindiggle, with costs," replied Noel.
"Dash it all!" exclaimed Mr. Fordyce when his son had told him ofwhat had occurred. "You young scoundrel, I've half a mind to write toMindiggle and explain. In any case, I'm not going to be saddled withFlirt while you're away. You'll have to find another home for her."
"Very well, Dad," replied Noel quietly, knowing that in such mattershis parent's word was law.
It was Mr. Fordyce's decision that prevented Noel confiding in himconcerning the interview with Mindiggle. In spite of his sense ofindependence the young officer was anxious to obtain advice on thematter, but now another possible chance was denied him.
"Hang it all!" he soliloquized. "I suppose it will keep a bit longer.The main point is that I didn't agree to the sweep's proposals, andI've scored heavily off my own bat. I'll spin the yarn to theHonourable Derek when we are making our passage to the Baltic. Let mesee; what is that address? I have it: 'Klostivitch, 19, BobbinskyProspekt'. I'll jot it down in case I forget. It may come in handy.And now there's Flirt to consider. It won't do to send her to a placein Otherport; she'll be nipping somebody--Mindiggle again for a deadcert--and I'll find that she's been poisoned when I return. I'll runher over to Billy's show this afternoon. He'll look after her, Iknow."
Billy was Noel's cousin, a captain of the Loamshire Light Infantry,who, after being thrice wounded slightly, had been buried by a shellat Messines. He was now given home service, and was unlikely to beagain sent abroad.
Billy Fordyce was stationed at Upper Todbury--a small village abouttwenty miles from Otherport--around which a large training-camp hadsprung into existence. Since Flirt was very partial to khaki it wasreasonable to suppose that the animal would take kindly to her newsurroundings.
The Sub lost no time in putting his plan into execution. It was latein the afternoon when he brought his cycle-car round. At eight thefollowing morning he had to report for duty.
"I believe Flirt knows there's something in the air, Pater," heremarked, as the dog obeyed the order to jump in with markedreluctance. Usually the prospect of a motor run made the terrierfrantic with delight.
Noel took a roundabout route. It was a beautiful afternoon, the roadswere in perfect order, and the car ran faultlessly. In just over thehour the Sub arrived at his cousin's quarters.
"I'll take care of her with pleasure," replied Billy in answer to hiscousin's request. "But do you think she'll stop?"
"I think so," replied Noel. "If I tell her she'll obey. In any caseshe'd make her way back to Otherport, so you needn't be anxious. Ipity the man who tries to steal her."
"To be on the safe side, I'll lock her up until to-morrow morning,"said Billy. "That'll give you time to get clear. Sorry you can't stopto dinner, old man."
Noel took an affectionate farewell of his pet. Flirt looked verydownhearted as, with her tail between her legs, she followed theCaptain to her new quarters, while the Sub, having bidden his cousin_au revoir_, hurried back to Otherport.