CHAPTER XV.
A PLOT OVERHEARD.
"Great Scott, Jack! Look!"
It was Frank who spoke. The two boys were standing in the shadow in thebow of the _Sylph_. Jack looked in the direction his companion pointed.A solitary figure was skulking along the deck.
"I see a man," replied Jack. "What about it?"
"Didn't you recognize him?"
"No; who is he?"
"The same man who followed us in the streets of London!"
"By George! You don't mean it. Why haven't we seen him before?"
"He is wearing a thick mustache. I don't suppose I would have recognizedhim now if I hadn't caught a side glimpse of his face."
"Are you sure he is the man?"
"There is no question about it."
"But what do you suppose he is doing here, skulking about the deck?"
"I don't know, but he is up to no good, I'll warrant."
"You are right. Let's follow him and see where he goes."
"Good! Come on!"
Stealthily the lads followed in the steps of the sailor, keeping well inthe shadow and far enough behind to prevent discovery.
Unaware that he was being followed, the sailor made his way straight tothe cabin of Second Lieutenant Taylor. There he gave a sharp, peculiarknock, and the door was immediately opened. The man disappeared inside.
"Something up," whispered Frank to Jack. "Guess we had better find outwhat is going on in there."
The second lieutenant's cabin was in the after part of the vessel, and awindow overlooked the deck. The window was lowered a trifle, permittinga gleam of light to stream across the deck.
The two boys approached and cautiously peered into the cabin. They sawLieutenant Taylor and the sailor seated at a small table, on which werea bottle and glasses, and they could plainly overhear the conversationthat passed between them.
"I don't like this eavesdropping business, but it is up to us to learnwhat is going on," whispered Jack.
"Right you are," replied Frank. "This looks suspicious to me. Whatbusiness do you suppose Lieutenant Taylor can have with a man we arebound to believe is a German spy?"
"It's too much for me," said Jack; "but if we listen we may overhearsomething worth while."
The two boys became silent, and, with their eyes to the small open spaceat the top of the window, listened breathlessly.
"How is everything going?" they heard the sailor ask Lieutenant Taylor.
"As well as could be expected," was the reply. "I haven't been able todo anything yet, however, for Lord Hastings has received no definiteinformation or instructions."
"But he will? Are you sure of that?"
"Perfectly. There are only a few men acquainted with Hastings'connection with the British Admiralty. A captain of a scout ship, eh!Why, I know that if he chose he could, with the instructions he nowholds, take command of the entire British fleet in the North Sea."
"Is that so? Then you are positive we made no mistake when we selectedthe _Sylph_ as the best place to learn England's naval plans?"
"Absolutely positive. Not a move will be made of which Hastings has nothad previous information. In spite of the wireless, this vessel is thereal connecting link between the British Home Office and the North Seafleet. I have it on good authority that, until further notice, Hastingswill receive all messages from both directions. The reason for this, Iunderstand, is that the government puts the utmost faith in his abilityand loyalty."
"Good," replied the sailor. "Now what are your plans?"
"Well, a whole lot will depend upon circumstances; but the first thing Iwant you to do is to put yourself into the confidence of the wirelessoperator. In some manner I must have a copy of every message receivedand sent. Of course, all messages will be in code, but I have the key tothat. You are an operator, are you not?"
"Yes."
"All right. I must be kept posted, so that at the proper moment I canact. At that moment, your duty will be to transmit a message I shallgive you. Before doing so, however, you will have to dispose of theoperator."
"I'll attend to him," broke in the sailor.
"Good. If there is no slip up in our plans, it will mean the destructionof the British fleet. Our work completed, we shall make our escape atnight in the launch."
"And our reward?" asked the sailor, as he rose to his feet.
"Oh, yes, our reward," repeated Lieutenant Taylor, with a harsh laugh."We are doing this for a reward, aren't we? Well, promises will be kept.The Kaiser will reward us handsomely."
"There is no reason to believe that we are suspected?" asked the sailor,as he moved toward the door.
"Not the slightest; and if we are careful, we can put this thing throughwithout arousing suspicion. Good night. I want to turn in early as Imust be about at daylight. I want to show the young lady we picked upto-day about the vessel. I understand her father is a high officer inthe German army, and with the success of our venture--well, who knows?"
"You take my advice and let the girl alone," growled the sailor. "Awoman has spoiled more than one well-laid scheme."
"Keep your advice to yourself, Hardy," replied the lieutenant angrily."Now, good night."
Jack and Frank straightened up from their cramped position, slippedquickly down the deck and disappeared before the sailor emerged from thelieutenant's cabin.
"Well, what do you think of that?" demanded Jack, as the two boys satdown in their own cabin.
"I don't know what to think," replied Frank. "Great Scott! Suppose noone had learned of their plans! What would have happened then?"
"I don't know what might have happened," returned Jack. "It certainly isa good thing you spotted that sailor, Hardy. We might not have hadanother chance of overhearing their plans."
"I suppose the thing to do now is to inform Lord Hastings at once."
"I suppose so. Or no, I believe it would do just as well to wait untilmorning. He has retired and there is no use arousing him. The plotterscan do nothing to-night."
"I guess you are right. By the way, what do you think of Taylor'sremarks about Miss Beulow?"
"I believe you are more interested in remarks concerning Miss Beulowthan I am," replied Jack, with a smile.
Frank blushed.
"Well, maybe so," he said. "But she is a nice girl, and I don't believeshe would have much use for a traitor, even though he is plotting todeliver England into the hands of her own country. Do you?"
"I don't know anything about it," was the reply. "You can ask her in themorning if you like. In the meantime, let's get some sleep."