Part 37 (1/2)
Still standing under the unwinking eye of the searchlight, the little group waited expectantly for the arrival of the boarding party.
A splash of oars preceded the boat which soon shot out of the darkness.
In another moment an officer in uniform had mounted the little deck.
Wonderingly he glanced about the group, now augmented by the arrival of Jack and Harry.
”Where is your commander?” he inquired somewhat stiffly, addressing no one in particular.
Indicating Ned, the boys silently waited.
”Are you in charge of this vessel?” asked the officer, with just a trace of amus.e.m.e.nt.
”I am and I am not,” replied Ned, with dignity.
”That's very enlightening, I'm sure,” returned the other. ”But time is short, and I must see the person who is in charge, and that at once.”
”The owner is lying in the cabin with a broken leg which he received as we were escaping from a German submarine,” explained Ned. ”We boys are trying to get to some port where we can secure the services of a surgeon.”
”Oh,” exclaimed the officer, ”escaping from a German?”
”Yes, sir. They torpedoed another submarine that we were towing, and in casting off the towing line the gentleman below was caught in the line.
His leg is badly broken.”
”Who is this other person?”
”He gave us the name of Mackinder.”
A frown settled over the face of their questioner. Stepping forward, with flas.h.i.+ng eyes he addressed Ned in a low voice vibrant with emotion.
”Now, if you have all the lies out of your system,” he gritted, ”we'll listen to the real story.”
”That is the real story!” protested Ned. ”Step below, if you don't believe me, and you may see for yourself.”
”We have already seen enough to discredit such a wild yarn as that!”
declared the other. ”Too many of our brave sailors have been killed and set adrift by the 'U-13.' Besides, the man you mention is certainly not in the cabin. I can swear to that. Now, will you tell me the truth?”
”I say, Mister,” put in Jimmie, ”suppose you go fifty-fifty with us. Who are you, and what right have you to stop us?”
A short laugh was the man's only answer. He turned to hail the vessel from which he had just come.
CHAPTER XXIII
THE MYSTERY OF THE ”U-13”
”Ahoy!” his hail rang out over the waters. ”Send another boat aboard us.
I will transfer the crew of this vessel!”
”Yes, you will!” scornfully replied Jimmie. ”You'll do a lot, you will.