Part 18 (1/2)

”If, as I suspect,” he stated presently, ”the package contained information valuable for the 'U-13' do you not understand why Mackinder would be glad to get possession of it? The 'U-13' is a German craft!”

”Oh, yes,” cried Ned. ”And the two countries are at war!”

”And you will also understand why, under the circ.u.mstances, we must feel honored by your presence, as well as that of Mackinder, for a little time. Just now we should hate to see you go!”

”Then we are going to be prisoners?” asked Jimmie.

”Oh, no! Nothing so harsh as that!” rea.s.sured the other. ”We will call it simply guests for the time being. That sounds better!”

”Would you mind telling us what Mackinder had to say about us?” inquired Ned. ”We would like very much to know that!”

”Consider,” temporized the officer, ”how little time there has been since we first sighted you for conversation of any sort!”

”Yes,” agreed the lad, ”but he has told you something!”

”Nothing of importance!” declared the other, rising to indicate that the interview was at an end. ”You will be given quarters forward, where you will receive every consideration until we reach our destination.”

”Where are you bound, Captain?” asked Jimmie.

”Our destination just now is a lonely island in the North Sea,” answered the other. ”It is heavily guarded, so you will be in no danger.”

”Does Mackinder go ash.o.r.e, too?” Jimmie continued.

”That has not been decided yet,” replied the commander. He touched a b.u.t.ton, summoning an orderly. ”Take these young gentlemen forward and see that they want no comfort. They are our guests!” he ordered.

In a few minutes the boys were seated at a table in the forecastle, where they were provided with a great profusion of well-cooked food from the sailors' mess. With sharpened appet.i.tes they fell to eagerly.

Since none of the members of the crew with whom they came in contact seemed able to speak English the boys were forced to content themselves with speculating on their destination.

They knew that the torpedo boat destroyer had been headed nearly northeast when it overhauled, and picked them up. They also knew that in this direction lay the entrance to the river Elbe and the Kiel s.h.i.+p ca.n.a.l, but whether the boat was making for some port in that vicinity they were unable to learn.

Keenly as the lads regretted their lack of definite information they were not inclined to become despondent. They found it possible by using signs to carry on a sort of desultory conversation with the members of the crew, who had gathered out of curiosity in their vicinity.

At length Frank jumped from his seat with an exclamation.

”I'll bet I know where we're going!” he announced, gleefully.

”So do I!” stated Jimmie in a nonchalant manner.

”Where?” asked Frank, somewhat crestfallen. ”Aw, you don't either!” he declared, after searching his comrade's face intently.

”All right,” admitted Jimmie, laughing. ”I just wanted to take some of that overconfidence out of your system, that's all!”

”Where do you think we are bound for, Frank?” inquired Ned.

Frank placed a finger on his lips, glancing about to make sure that no one was close enough to overhear his whispered words.

”Helgoland!” he said, cautiously.