Part 29 (1/2)
At the meeting of the path with the by-road the patrol-leader stopped.
”It's straight on to Scarby,” he explained. ”Bennet,” he added, addressing his companion. ”You go with these sailors and show them the coastguard station. Then come back; bring the other fellows along with you if they've returned. I'll go to the beach again in case there are more to be shown the path up the valley.”
Meanwhile Lieutenant-commander Ronald Tressidar was ”standing by”
his wrecked vessel. He had done everything he could in the interests of the crew. Until day broke it was impossible to form an accurate idea of the extent of the disaster. It was galling to lose his command; there would be a court of inquiry. Of the issue of that Tressidar had no misgivings. The ”Antipas” had run ash.o.r.e in the course of an action with an enemy submarine. The mishap was to be deplored, but it was unavoidable. The destruction of the hostile submarine had been accomplished. That was the object of the destroyer's _raison d'etre_.
”Can we be of any use?” asked Fuller.
”Not in the slightest, thanks,” replied the youthful skipper. ”The best you fellows can do is to go ash.o.r.e. Goodness only knows if there's a railway anywhere in the neighbourhood. At any rate, you can make your way back to Rosyth, and better luck next time. If by any possible chance I can keep you clear of the court of inquiry I will do so. I know perfectly well that you want to be hard at it again, and the 'Hippodrome' seems likely to be particularly busy very shortly, according to all accounts.”
”Good luck, old man!” said Fuller earnestly, The three airmen shook hands with the skipper, and dropping into the whaler were rowed sh.o.r.ewards.
”Hard lines on old Tress,” declared Fuller. ”He'll come out with flying colours, of course; but just fancy the poor fellow cooling his heels ash.o.r.e waiting for another command when out there----”
And with a comprehensive sweep of his hand he indicated the seemingly limitless expanse of the North Sea--the arena where the question of naval supremacy will be settled, let us hope once and for all time in favour of the glorious White Ensign.
CHAPTER XXIV
ENTWISTLE'S DECISION
”So this is the coastguard station?” asked Billy Barcroft of his youthful guide. ”Any chance of getting a conveyance to the nearest station Tongby, I believe?”
”I am afraid not, sir.”
”Even this donkey might be pressed into service,” continued the flight-sub, indicating b.u.t.terfly, who, having been placed ”under arrest,” was browsing on the green surrounding the flagstaff.
”Although I've had enough of donkeys to last me for some considerable time.”
Little knowing that the animal under discussion was the self-same one that had given him the slip at Barborough, Billy, accompanied by his two comrades, entered the detached building known as the look-out house. The ground floor was utilised as a kind of store, where arms and nautical gear were kept. Above was a large room furnished like an office, in which was a telephone as well as a large telescope mounted on a tripod so as to command a clear view of the sea. Being night the windows were closely shuttered, while double doors prevented any stray beams from escaping into the night.
”Up aloft, sir,” said the scout. ”I'll telephone through and see if a trap or a car can be sent from Tongby. This is our mess room,” he explained. ”There's a good fire going. Hullo! There's some one here already. I think it's the gentleman who told us about the spy.”
Seated on either side of the roaring fire were Peter Barcroft and Philip Entwistle. The former's face was turned away from the door, and at first Billy failed to recognise his parent. Nor did he the vet., for Entwistle's face was elaborately and liberally embellished with sticking-plaster, as the result of First Aid on the part of the Scouts following their determined onslaught on the brink of the cliff.
Entwistle had taken his gruelling in rightdown good part. He was still under nominal arrest, for having been made a prisoner he could only be released at the order of a superior officer. Already a report had been telephoned through and a reply was momentarily expected.
”I am not going to explain the whole business to you, Barcroft,”
said the vet, when Peter expressed his regret at the attack upon his neighbour, and still more so his astonishment at finding him under most peculiar circ.u.mstances on the cliff at Scarby. ”Some day, perhaps. I had information--no matter how--that some one was in traitorous communication with enemy submarines. To bring home proofs of the princ.i.p.al's guilt it was necessary to tackle his subordinate.
Unfortunately my plans were upset by the somewhat injudicious intervention of these youngsters--commendable as regards pluck and all that, but nevertheless it spoilt my investigations.”
”I didn't know that you were in the detective line,” remarked Peter.
Entwistle shrugged his shoulders.
”Perhaps I had better not commit myself by answering your question,”
he replied with a laugh that ended in a wince. It was no easy matter to smile with one's face smothered with sticking-plaster. ”I hope you understand my reluctance to say anything more on the matter.”
Peter nodded.