The Ely miner., 1914-01-09

| drew alongside and opened our deck.
He stepped aboard
Lieutent Won Beemar sprang to his
side and began to pour out the story
of our attempt. The captains brows
contracted as he listened; incredulous
at first, he grew more and more i'm
passive and cold. At last he turned
to Nikolai.
What have you to say?" he asked.
1T Is true,'' said my companion.
What are you going to do?"
The captain spoke more coldly.
more formally than before. Nicolai
turned to me.
He says that he intends to hang
us at his yard-arm before breakfast"
he explained
l looked around me desperately.
Dawn was already flushing the cast,
the stars were paling, and, on the port
bow, outlined against the saffron
sky, was the long loast line of Eng
land
He cannot hang spies-even if we
are spies-in peace time" ! muttered.
1T is against the CODE
Nikolai translated, but the captain
did not deign to notice me. it was
the lieutenant who interposed.
"As for that fellow" he said, point
ing to me, '1et him hang if you pre-
fer, captain. But not this other, who
is evidently high officer in the Eng
lish service. Curse him." he Shrek
ed losing his self-control again. He
insulted me in the streets of Kiel. He
called me a sleeps head-and / was
in uniform
Calls head, not sleeps head"
Nikolai interposed.
II demand satisfaction" shouted
Won Beeman.
Il am afraid, lieutenant" said the
captain, that the honor of Germany
must take precedence of yours"
IF it will be any satisfaction" said
NikOlai, 81 am no officer. l am an un-
official spy in nobody's service but
my own"
is that true?" cried Won Beeman
with apparent eagerness, staring at
Nikolai. My comrade nodded. The
lieutenant leaped forward with cry
of triumph.
1T is true,' he exclaimed. Il ques-
toned his veracity, and he showed no
resentment. An officer does not lie.
He is no officer. Well, do you wish
my evidence, sir, at the court-mar-
tial?"
There will be no court-martial,
lieutenant the captain answered.
"They will be hanged Immediately. Lie
to until you see them at the yard
arm; then return to Kiel and report
yourself to the commandant Of the
port And now unite those fel-
lows"
At the word from Won Beeman the
sailors began to flee us from our
bonds. Meanwhile the German cap
tain moved leisurely about the subma-
rine, examining the mechanism with
professional interest. When we were
free he signed to us to precede him
into the boat. We took our places
and the sailors began to row us back
to the man of war. 1t was almost
light now. Behind us the submarine
tossed heavily upon the waves. Look
ing backward, l could see Won Beeman
standing amidship, gazing implacably
after us. Then Nikolai nudged me
and pointed furtively to the German
captain.
He was beaming upon US, and in
his expression there was something
as near a wink as / imagine the naval
regulations would allow. While l
watched him, amazed, l heard one
of the sailors, who had missed his
stroke with the oar, utter hearty
curse in purest English.
But we were at the ships side and
ascending the ladder before could
draw the necessary inferences from
what l had seen. The CAPTAIN walk
ed forward toward his quarters, sign
ing to us to follow him. Presently
we were alone with him in his cab
in. Then he turned on Nikolai alb
ruptly.
well done. sir" he said heartily.
81 shall report your courageous ac-
ton to the admiralty. Not only have
you performed an act unparalleled in
the history of the fleet, but you afford
ed me an opportunity to discover the
complete secret of the mechanism of
the new submarine
with your permission, sir, l will
explain matters to my friend said
Nikolai, turning to me. But already
the whole affair had become clear to
me. 1t was an English battleship, and.
by the ruse of the German flag, it's
captain had discovered the secret
which England had wanted so badly.
We were in friendly hands.
did you fulfill this mission by the
direct suggestion of the admiralty?
the captain asked.
mo, sir" said Nikolai. 1T was our
own enterprise, and we trusted to the
generosity of the English nation to
reward us adequately
The captain started.
"What?" he cried. Does nobody in
England know that you embarked
upon this perilous adventure?'
Nobody but yourself and your men.
sir" Nikolai answered.
The captains manner changed in
a way comical to see.
well, my men," he said, you have
had a fortunate escape. Now / tell
YOU what shall do. In five minutes
dinghy will be lowered from the side.
You will enter it, and can, doubtless,
null yourselves ashore We ere not