Part 52 (2/2)
”You believe Germany would count on her?”
”There is not a doubt of it. Enver Pasha holds the country in his right hand; Enver Pasha is the Kaiser's jackal.”
”But Turkey is a beaten, discredited nation. She has no modern guns.
Her fleet is rusting in the Bosporus.”
”The Dardanelles bristle with Krupp cannon, Mr. Neeland, manned by German gunners. Von der Goltz Pasha has made of a brave people a splendid army. As for s.h.i.+ps, the ironclads and gunboats off Seraglio Point are rusting at anchor, as you say; but there are today enough German and Austrian armored s.h.i.+ps within running distance of the Dardanelles to make for Turkey a powerful defensive squadron. Didn't you know any of these facts?”
”No.”
”Well, they _are_ facts.... You see, Mr. Neeland, we English sailors of the merchant marine are also part of the naval reserve. And we are supposed to know these things.”
Neeland was silent.
”Mr. Neeland,” he said, ”in case of war between the various powers of Europe as aligned today, where do you imagine your sympathy would lie--and the sympathies of America?”
”Both with France and England,” said Neeland bluntly.
”You think so?”
”Yes, I do--unless they are the aggressors.”
The captain nodded:
”I feel rather that way myself. I feel very sure of the friendliness of your country. Because of course we--France and England--never would dream of attacking the Central Powers unless first a.s.sailed.” He smiled, nodded toward the box on the floor: ”Don't you think, Mr.
Neeland, that it might be safer to entrust those--that box, I mean--to the captain of the Royal Mail steamer, _Volhynia_?”
”Yes, I do,” said Neeland quietly.
”And--about these spies. Do you happen to entertain any particular suspicions concerning any of the pa.s.sengers on my s.h.i.+p?” urged the captain.
”Indeed, I entertain lively suspicions, and even a few certainties,”
replied the young fellow, laughing.
”You appear to enjoy the affair?”
”I do. I've never had such a good time. I'm not going to spoil it by suggesting that you lock up anybody, either.”
”I'm sorry you feel that way,” said the captain seriously.
”But I do. They're friends of mine. They've given me the time of my life. A dirty trick I'd be serving myself as well as them if I came to you and preferred charges against them!”
The captain inspected him curiously for a few moments, then, in a soft voice:
”By any chance, Mr. Neeland, have you any Irish blood in your veins?”
”Yes, thank G.o.d!” returned the young fellow, unable to control his laughter. ”And I'll bet there isn't a drop in you, Captain West.”
<script>