Part 32 (2/2)

The stranger was of medium build, and wore a suit of blue with a round hat to match. He was carefully dressed. After taking a long survey of the group on the deck of the false ”U-13,” he waved a hand in welcome.

”He wants us to come over and pay him a visit!” stated Jimmie.

”Why don't you accept, then?” inquired Ned. ”We're into it now and may as well be sociable. Being balky won't help matters any!”

”I would if we had a boat,” announced the other.

”Maybe the real 'U-13' there has a boat they'd spare,” suggested Jack.

”Why don't you hail and ask him if he won't send a boat?”

”Hail him yourself if you want to! Maybe he don't talk Englis.h.!.+”

”Try him on United States then!” laughed Jack. ”I would!”

”Help yourself!” said Jimmie, leaning back against the rail.

”Ahoy the submarine!” shouted Jack in response to this suggestion. ”We haven't a boat or we'd come over. Can you send a boat to us?”

Waving an arm as if comprehending the lad's statement and inquiry the figure on the other vessel clambered quickly to the after deck. After a moment's fumbling at what appeared to be a lock, he lifted a cover. In a short time the boys saw him drag from its place a small, light, steel boat.

This was at once launched over the side. Running out upon a light iron ladder the man dropped into the rowboat. He sculled the small craft quickly over the intervening distance and was soon alongside.

”Come aboard, sir,” invited Ned, reaching out a hand to a.s.sist.

”Good night!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Jimmie. ”How did you ever get here so quickly, Mackinder? We thought you were aboard that wars.h.i.+p!”

”I've been here a long time!” laughed the other, looking at the lad.

”You've made a quick trip, all right!” returned Jimmie.

The others crowded forward with eager, questioning looks. Upon the face of each was to be seen amazement, wonder and perplexity.

”Come aboard, Mackinder,” invited Ned. ”We'd like to hear an explanation of the strange goings on hereabouts. Can you help us?”

”First, I'd like to hear your explanations,” stated the newcomer. ”But before you start your story, please tell me why you call me Mackinder.”

”Isn't that your name?” asked Jimmie. ”Tell us that!”

”Yes, that's my name, you know!” replied the stranger, smilingly. ”But how did you happen to know it? I'm rather puzzled, you know!”

”Why, you told us yourself on the train running into Amsterdam!” stated Jimmie, with rising indignation. ”Then we called you by that name while you were trying to delay our start. Also Captain von Kluck used that name when he referred to you. I guess it's your name all right!”

”I don't deny that!” stated the newcomer. ”What puzzles me is how you chaps know it so quickly, don't you know.”

”It don't make much difference how we know the name so quickly,” went on Jimmie. ”We'd know you anywhere we saw you. We'd especially recognize that hand with the scar! That's a dead giveaway!”

The newcomer glanced quickly at his right hand, which Jimmie had indicated. As he brought it up to view, the boys could see a jagged scar running clear across the back. They had seen such a scar before.

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