CHAPTER III
THE MAN WITH THE SCAR
"What package is it you want?" inquired Ned in amazement as he saw thatMackinder evidently intended to enforce his demand at all costs.
"I shall countenance no delay!" spoke the man sharply. "You may step toyour luggage there and produce that package instantly. If you refuse Ishall summon assistance and it will be taken forcibly."
"You have the wrong pig by the ear this time, partner!" put in Jimmie."Just put up your little cannon. It won't do you any good here."
"Enough!" snapped Mackinder. "You will gain nothing by attempting suchmethods. I am not to be balked by trivialities!"
"Well, Boss," smiled Jimmie, "we haven't got any 'U-13' package and wehaven't got any of those other things, either!"
"I warn you," went on Mackinder in a menacing tone, "it has become knownto the authorities that you have this package. I have been commissionedto secure it. If you surrender it before leaving this country you willlose nothing. If you refuse it will be taken by force. In that case youneed not expect to receive any degree of clemency in the matter!"
"Mr. Mackinder," began Ned with dignity, "we don't understand what youmean. If you intend to infer that we have some mysterious package that weshould not have you are not fair to us. Perhaps you would like to examineour luggage and be sure it is not there."
"Very well," stated Mackinder grimly. "If you insist."
Keeping the revolver leveled in the direction of the group the manstepped to the side of the room. He grasped the old-fashioned bell-pull.In answer to his summons steps were heard approaching the door.
"Ah, there you are, Norton," sighed Mackinder in a relieved tone as a manin uniform appeared. "Just keep an eye on these chaps, will you. I'mgoing through their luggage. Look sharp, now!"
From Norton's appearance the boys judged that the task was much to hisliking. He fingered a wicked looking revolver, as if anticipating troubleand hoping that would come quickly. His manner was that of an eagerhunting dog scenting game and only waiting a command to attack.
Thinking it best to offer no resistance and understanding that argumentswould not avail under the present circumstances Ned seated himself in aconvenient chair. He began to divert the minds of his comrades by talkingof the shipping and the traffic which they could see.
Hastily Mackinder tossed the luggage about in his efforts to locate thearticle he sought. Finally he turned to Ned.
"Where have you concealed it?" he asked with some display of anger.
"Concealed what?" asked Ned impatiently. "I tell you, Mr. Mackinder, Idon't like this idea of your holding us up in this manner withoutapparent authority. You are imposing on good nature!"
"Perhaps I have been a little hasty," stated Mackinder, "but I have beencommissioned to secure a certain package which is alleged to containinformation vital to two countries. It may possibly concern more. You aresaid to have had possession of this package at the time you left thecastle in Flanders. Where is it now?"
"Do you mean the flat package the soldier found in our baggage at thefrontier where we were searched?" inquired Jimmie.
"No doubt it is the same one," stated Mackinder.
"Then," declared the boy, pointing at Mackinder's hand, "I have everyreason to believe that you know more about the whereabouts of thatpackage than do we. I recognize that peculiar scar on your hand!"
Quick glances of inquiry were directed by the boys at the hand towardwhich Jimmie was pointing. It bore a scar running clear across theback--an ugly, jagged scar that they had heard Jimmie describe.
"What did you mean by coming here and trying to throw a bluff into usabout the package still being in our kits when you yourself took it fromthe table in the hut?" demanded Jimmie aggressively.
"You're mistaken, boys, I don't know what you're talking about!"
"Then you've got a mighty poor memory!" declared the lad.
"Mr. Mackinder," Ned said in a low tone vibrant with indignation, "ifyou've quite satisfied yourself that we have not got the package you seemto be seeking we'll excuse you. We don't want your company any more, andwe shall try to proceed upon our journey alone."
"But, see here, boys--" Mackinder attempted to explain.
"Not another word!" cried Ned rising. "There is the door and you are atliberty to use it quickly. You are welcome to the package!"
"You will find out later on," Mackinder said, as he started to leave theroom in company with Norton, "that I've been trying to help you out ofmighty suspicious circumstances. You are ungrateful!"
"Good-bye!" called out Jimmie. "Don't slam the door!"
For a moment the boys gazed at one another in amazement after the two menhad left the room. They were excited and puzzled.
"Well, this is a stunner!" declared Ned at length.
"Who is this Mackinder, who is Norton, what is in this 'U-13' packagethat he wants, how did it get into our baggage, why was it put there,where are we going, when do we eat!" demanded Jimmie in a breath.
"That's the way to talk, Jimmie!" cried Harry, laughing in spite of thesituation that the boys all felt to be a serious one.
"The last question is the most important!" stated Jack. "I'm in favor ofthe eats part and that without further delay."
"Come on, boys," suggested Ned. "Let's eat first and talk things overafterward. I'm nearly famished myself, and Jimmie is hungry, too!"
In a short time the lads were seated in a quaint restaurant orderingstrange dishes. They were hungry, as only healthy, active boys can be.The food was well cooked and appetizing. They ate heartily.
"Now, I'm in favor of getting to the docks as quick as possible,"announced Jimmie, pushing his plate away. "Let's get our passagesettled."
All were in favor of this arrangement. After paying for their breakfastthe lads set out in search of a ship upon which they might secure passageto the United States. But they were not to secure this easily.
Extended inquiry during the forenoon elicited the information that therewas no vessel clearing from the port of Amsterdam for any place inAmerica. Although they made every effort to find a steamer which wouldafford them the accommodations they sought none was found.
Inquiry at the railway station disclosed the fact that their airship, theGrey Eagle, now dismantled and packed in boxes, was at the freight shedswaiting a claimant. Until they could find a vessel to carry it home theboys preferred to let it remain in its present location.
After dinner they continued their inquiries for a vessel. At length theylearned of a full-rigged three-masted ship that was to clear in a fewdays for New York. Regretting even this short delay the lads decided toattempt to secure passage, although the journey would be a long one.
Ned secured the services of a boatman, who offered to row them out to theship, which lay at anchor in the harbor. The man charged them what theboys considered an extraordinary price for the service, but explainedthat the weather was unfavorable and that at any moment a storm mightbreak. To this the boys could but agree. A glance at the sky convincedthem that a storm of rather unusual violence was gathering.
"Take him up, anyhow, Ned!" urged Harry. "We want to get home!"
"All right, then, here goes!" declared Ned, stepping aboard thewaterman's craft. "Pull away, my friend, we're all aboard."
In a short time the man was threading his way amongst the shipping in theharbor. From their position so low upon the water the masts and spars ofthe vessels looked to be of extraordinary height to the boys, who viewedevery object with keen interest.
A hail from the boatman was answered by a man from the deck of the ship.He thrust his head over the rail inquiringly.
"Where's your captain?" asked Ned, as the man appeared.
"What do you want of the captain?" asked the man in a surly voice.
"We want to talk with him," replied Ned. "We'll explain to him."
"He's busy now and don't want to be disturbed. Tell me what you want andI'll give him your message. Maybe he'll see you!"
; "We want to arrange passage on your ship to the United States."
"I'll see what he's got to say," replied the man, moving away.
While he was gone the boys examined the vessel closely. Jimmie pronouncedthe vessel very much to his liking. He admired the lines and pointed withpride to the modeling of the stern.
"Hello!" the boy cried excitedly, his arm extended still in the act ofindicating the ship, "there goes our friend Mackinder in a launch!"
"Where?" asked Ned eagerly, turning about in his seat.
"Right astern of us!" replied Jimmie. "I wonder what he was doing aboardthis ship. He seems to be in a hurry to get ashore."
"Maybe he wasn't on this ship at all," was Harry's objection. "He mighthave been out on the harbor for a pleasure ride."
"Sure, he's just the chap to take a pleasure ride on the harbor with astorm brewing! I've got a picture of that chap joy-riding!"
"I hope he doesn't see us," declared Jack. "He might have enoughinfluence with the captain to prevent our securing passage on this ship."
The conversation was interrupted by the advent of the captain, who lookedover the rail at the little craft riding alongside.
"What do you want?" he inquired in a business-like tone.
"We want to arrange passage on your ship to New York, Captain," statedNed respectfully. "We understand you are to sail soon. We are citizens ofthe United States homeward bound. Can you help us out?"
"Not this trip!" decided the captain instantly.
"We are able to pay well for our accommodations," continued the boy. "Itis rather important that we get home as quickly as possible."
"Possibly," returned the captain shortly.
Nonplussed, Ned was at a loss to find words with which to urge hisrequest further. The captain's distant manner gave him no encouragement.
"We'll not be the slightest trouble, Captain," the lad presentlycontinued. "We understand you'll be loaded in a few days and will sailfor New York direct. Cannot you arrange to accommodate us?"
"This isn't a passenger vessel," stated the captain.
"Well, then, couldn't we sign articles and work our way over? We'd bewilling to pay whatever you think is right for that privilege."
"You want to get me into trouble with the authorities, don't you?"replied the other, preparing to move away.
"But, Captain, just think a moment. There must be some way in which youcan arrange it. Don't leave us in a foreign country!"
"You seem to have done pretty well in foreign countries as it is! If youcan pull off the stunts you have just done I guess you'll get over to NewYork all right--if that's where you want to go!"
"What do you mean? I don't understand you!"
"Oh, you don't, eh? Well, to put it plainly, this is a peaceable, neutralship doing honest trading. I carry freight, not spies!"
With these words the captain disappeared. The boys gasped in astonishmentat the words and looked at each other speechless.
Ned motioned to the boatman to return to the dock. His puzzled frownshowed plainly that the boy was at a loss to understand the situation.
"I've got it!" almost shouted Jimmie, as the lads were once more on land."I know what the answer is! I've been reading my little dream book!"
"All right, wise man, let's have it! Don't keep it bottled up!"
"Mackinder!" declared Jimmie impressively.
"You don't mean to say that he beat us to the ship and managed to get thecaptain to refuse us passage on his vessel?" asked Ned.
"I believe I'm right at that!" maintained Jimmie, stoutly.
"Then the only thing we can do is to try to find some coasting vessel tocarry us out of the Zuider Zee into the North Sea and make a port inEngland. We can then go overland to Liverpool and get a ship from therehome. Suppose we try that?" offered Ned.
The boys were passing along a covered dock at the moment. As they turneda corner they saw Mackinder standing near. A smile of triumph lighted hisface.