Part 40 (1/2)
”Follow me below,” he whispered. ”I'll do the talking. Agree with whatever I say and listen carefully to my every word.”
The three friends obeyed.
Below they were ushered into what proved to be the commander's cabin.
An officer in the dress of a lieutenant commander of the German navy rose and greeted the boys' captor with a salute and an extended hand.
Their captor grasped the hand.
”Commander von Ludwig, I take it,” said the commander of the vessel.
Von Ludwig bowed.
”The same, sir,” he replied. ”I have here a paper that gives me command of your vessel, sir. You are ordered to report to Berlin at once.”
”I have been expecting you, sir,” was the reply. ”I shall leave at once, if your boatman is still near.”
”I ordered him to await you,” was von Ludwig's reply.
The commander of the German vessel glanced at von Ludwig's three companions.
”Your officers?” he asked.
”Yes. Your officers will be relieved in the morning.”
”Very well, sir. Then I shall leave you. A safe and successful voyage to you, sir.”
”The same to you, sir.”
Von Ludwig, motioning to his companions to remain in the cabin until his return, went on deck with the departing commander. A few moments later the latter was being rowed ash.o.r.e. For the s.p.a.ce of several seconds, von Ludwig gazed after him, a peculiar smile lighting up his face as he murmured:
”If you only knew what a time I had getting the paper I just gave you, you would not be going so serenely about your business right now. Oh, well----”
He threw open his arms with a gesture and descended to his cabin.
”Now,” he said to Jack, Frank and Harris, ”the first thing we must do is to secure the crew and the officers of this vessel. The crew, I happen to know, numbers only ten men. There are two officers. We shall have to overcome them.”
”And how are we going to work the s.h.i.+p, sir?” asked Jack.
Von Ludwig glanced at the lad sharply.
”You would be a better sailor, sir, if you would follow orders without question,” he said sharply; then added more calmly: ”However, I shall tell you, for I can see none of you trust me fully. I have my own crew of five men coming aboard within the hour.”
”I beg your pardon, sir,” said Jack.
”That's all right,” said von Ludwig. ”Now follow me.”
The others did as ordered. Before a door not far from the commander's cabin von Ludwig stopped.
”In there you will find the first officer,” he said