CHAPTER XV.
PLOTTING.
"Now," said Lord Hastings, "as soon as we have lost sight of our newfriend, Von Rosten, we shall take a little trip to Ostend anyhow."
"What for, sir?" asked Frank.
"Oh, just to look about a little," was the reply. "We may be able topick up a little useful information."
"And why didn't you tell Von Rosten you were bound there, sir?" Jackwanted to know.
"Well, for one reason, because I wanted to borrow a part of his crew,"said Lord Hastings. "Had he known we were headed for Ostend he wouldhave thought it strange that we didn't wait until we got there to getmore men. Besides, I wouldn't want to try and get men there. It mightprove embarrassing."
"Well, sir," remarked Frank, "that was quite a little story youconcocted for his benefit."
"I flatter myself it wasn't so awfully bad," smiled Lord Hastings. "Ofcourse, I might have done better if I had been given more time."
"It was pretty good for a quick one," Jack admitted. "But, what are wegoing to do with Davis, sir?"
"Turn him over to the British authorities at the first opportunity. Heis deserving of whatever punishment he shall receive. But in themeantime we must not let him suspect our true identity for he may be ofuse to us."
The lads nodded.
"Now," said Lord Hastings, "we may as well put about and run forOstend."
Frank gave the command to Edwards, at the wheel, and the U-16 came aboutand headed east. Frank and Jack went below to their quarters, leavingLord Hastings alone on the bridge.
"There is no use talking," said the latter. "It seems rather peculiar tobe sailing under the German flag."
"And that's no joke," Jack agreed. "I hope we will not have to do itlong."
It was late in the evening when the submarine approached Ostend, whereit was known that the Germans had established a submarine base. The U-16went along slowly, for Lord Hastings was not certain of his bearings.
Suddenly there came a hail across the water and a light flashed upon theU-16. In response to a command Lord Hastings brought the vessel to ahalt.
"Who are you?" came the challenge in the darkness.
"U-16, Captain Tarlenhein," Lord Hastings shouted back.
"Good," was the reply. "We wondered what had happened to you. Everythingall right?"
"All right."
"Ready to join us in another desperate mission?"
"Yes. Ready any time."
"Good. Remain where you are. We start within the hour. Your instructionswill be sent to you."
Lord Hastings signified that he understood and the light on the othervessel was flashed off, leaving the U-16 in darkness again.
"Now what do you suppose is up, sir?" asked Frank eagerly.
"You have just as much idea as I have," declared Lord Hastings."However, we shall probably know in good time."
And he was right.
Half an hour later a small boat approached the side of the U-16. Inresponse to a signal from Lord Hastings, who had perceived his approach,a subordinate officer clambered aboard.
"Captain Tarlenhein?" he inquired.
Lord Hastings kept his face half turned in the darkness.
"Yes," he replied in a husky voice.
The officer drew a paper from his pocket and passed it to Lord Hastings.
"From Admiral Seibert, sir."
He brought his heels together, gave a quick salute, turned on his heel,and went back over the side.
Lord Hastings immediately hastened to his cabin and as hastily summonedJack and Frank.
"Well," he said quietly, "here are our orders," and he laid the paper onthe table. "Sit down."
The lads did so, and Lord Hastings, seating himself, picked up thedocument, broke the seal, and read aloud:
"Captain Tarlenhein,
"Commanding H.I.S. U-16:
"Proceed immediately, under command of Admiral Schuler, to Dover Bay, joining submarine flotilla there, to proceed to the Thames for attack British fleet. Flotilla to gather mile off Dover, midnight, Thursday.
(Signed) "SEIBERT."
"I should say that is plain enough," said Lord Hastings, looking up.
"Rather, sir," agreed Frank. "All we have to do is to be at a certainspot at a certain time."
"That's it. And the beauty of it is we do not go with any other vessel.I suppose Admiral Seibert deems it advisable for each vessel to make herway there separately, coming to the surface at the appointed time."
"And shall we be there, sir?" asked Frank.
"Rather," replied Lord Hastings dryly. "First, however, we shall have tofind time to run even closer to Dover, take a trip ashore, and notifythe Admiralty. Then perhaps we can arrange a little surprise for ourfriends the enemy."
"That's the way, sir," said Frank enthusiastically. "And I would suggestthat the sooner we get under way the better. It may not be so easy toget ashore without being sent to the bottom by one of our own ships orforts."
"Very well," replied Lord Hastings. "You may give the word to proceed ateighteen knots, Mr. Templeton."
Jack gave the order, and the U-16 moved off in the night.
Having obtained Lord Hastings' permission, Frank and Jack decided toturn in. They made their way to the quarters they had chosen, and whatwas their surprise to find that Davis had appropriated it for his ownconvenience.
"I say," said Jack to Davis, who was sitting there in a comfortablechair, "you'll have to come out of here, you know."
"Will I?" said Davis. "What for?"
"Chiefly because we say so," replied Frank angrily. "This is our cabin."
"Yours?" repeated Davis, a rising inflection in his voice. "And who gaveit to you, if you please?"
"We selected it," replied Frank, growing angrier at Davis' words.
"Well, I can't see that that makes it yours," returned Davis. "However,we won't argue about that. I'll just stay here and you go some placeelse."
"Not much you don't," declared Frank. "Either you'll skip out of hereright now, or I shall have to throw you out."
"I don't believe you will do a whole lot of throwing," smiled Davis."Anyhow, I'll take a chance by staying."
He settled himself more comfortably in his chair and picked up a book.
Frank's eyes flashed angrily, but Jack laid a soothing hand on hisfriend's shoulder.
"Let him alone," he commanded.
"What for?" demanded Frank. "Think I am going to let a man like him runme out of my own quarters? Not much."
"But we can seek other quarters," said Jack, who was always peaceableuntil aroused. "What's the use of getting in trouble?"
"It won't be much trouble," said Frank. "I'll just throw him out."
Jack smiled.
"He might fool you," he said quietly. "To me, he looks as though hewould be hard for you to handle."
"I suppose you think you could do it all right?" said Frank.
"Well, I suppose I could if I started out to," declared Jack. "But Idon't intend to make a fool of myself."
This answer only served to enrage Frank the more and he advanced uponDavis threateningly.
"Are you going to get out of here?" he demanded angrily.
Davis looked at him lazily.
"Well, no," he said at last; "I'm not."
Frank sprang upon him without another word and, seizing him by bothshoulders, bore him over to the floor, falling on top of him. Then thelad quickly raised himself to his feet, and when Davis got up a momentlater Frank grabbed him by the back of the neck with his right hand andthe trousers with his left and hustled him to the door.
In vain did Davis seek to free himself from this hold. Although he wasundoubtedly stronger and more than a match for Frank, the lad had him ata disadvantage; and he could do nothing to help himself as the boyhustled him through the door of the cabin.
There Frank gave Davis a last vigorous shove and he went spinning downthe little hallway.
"There," said Fra
nk, "perhaps that will teach you to stay where youbelong."
He stepped back in the cabin, closed and locked the door. Then he turnedto Jack.
"He's gone," he said quietly.
"I see he has," replied Jack, smiling. "Now, let's get to bed."
But Davis, routed though he had been, still had a few remarks to make.He tried the knob of the door, and, finding it locked, raised his voice.
"Hey! Let me in there," he demanded.
"You're out; stay out!" said Frank.
"You come out here and I'll punch your face," said Davis.
"Oh, I guess not," replied Frank, feeling quite well pleased withhimself.
"You little Dutchman!" exclaimed Davis.
"Go hunt a hole and go to bed," said Frank.
There was no danger of his getting angry, for he was too amused. "If youdon't," he continued, "I'll come out there and chuck you overboard."
"Oh, you will, will you? Well, come out here and I'll show you."
"Some other time," said Frank cheerfully.
"Right now I am going to turn in. Pleasant dreams to you, Mr. Davis."
Davis was very angry now. Outside the door he stamped his feet one afterthe other and rattled the knob vigorously.
"Let me in there, or I'll break this door down," he said fiercely.
During all this conversation Jack had shed his shoes and outer garmentsand was about ready for bed. He now decided that the affair had gone farenough and stepping forward called through the closed door:
"That's enough, Davis. Keep quiet, or I'll take a hand in this myself.If I do, you'll be sorry. Get away from that door!"
And Davis subsided.