The Ely miner., 1914-01-09

attend the German yacnt races. Sucn
meetings are, of course, largely pat
roni2ed by gentlemen who dabble in
what Nikolai called 'high finance" "
The police had gathered in a score
aud more of tho fraternity and sent
t6em out of the country: but those
" ere the bunglers at their trade. We
passed as wealthy Americans, and
topped to reap a harvest.
But my companions thoughts flew
high above the common swindling.
aaew that when he announced his
coup, 1t would be something worthy
oy his fantastic mind. On the third
evening, while we sat together upon
.ae esplanade, watching the yachts
swing. past, flags of all nations fiutter-
ing at the mast heads, Nikolai broach-
s-i his plan
These Germans are giving England
hard tight for the supremacy OF the
ocean,. he said. as the kaisers yacht,
having defeated her English antagon-
ist. passed to the salutation of ten
thousand throats. And they're not
80 far behind In actual war material
either England would give fortune
Cor the plans of the new German SUBJ
marine"
EIe handed me the Daily Telegraph
OF two days previous. which he had
purchased at the Casino. / had not
seen paper for the past week Turn
;ng to the column indicated by my
companion. l discovered that the
German war scare had assumed a new
phase.
The column, which was headed in
niack type, dealt with the maneuvers
~ mysterious submarine ship, which
uad been seen at various points along
The British coast, sometimes as half
submerged body that cut through the
water at an astonishing speed, at
others merely as the periscope,
jAe eye of such craft, which alone was
gisibie above the waves. 1t was
obviously engaged in taking soundings
and spying upon the English naval
defenses.
From these various statements of
those who have seen this craft" the
newspaper went on to say, 1T is evil
dent. in spite of official denials, that it
"a none other than the new German
submarine, about which so much spec
ulation is rife. Its ability to trav-
ei such a distance from its base
demonstrates the fact clearly, for no
other type of submarine vessel has
more than very limited sphere of
action. The British government
would, doubtless, pay handsomely for
plan of this craft. Meanwhile it
IS reported that warships are search
ing for it-and, Messieurs, if you come
within the limits of our territorial
waters. look out for broadside!"
The British government would,
doubtless, pay handsomely for plan
et this craft" Nikolai quoted, read
iug over my shoulder. Well why
shouldn't we earn the reward, Sum-
mers?"
How could we get the plans?" |
asked.
We won't" replied Nikolai What
do you say to taking the craft itself
and steering it into Portsmouth har-
Dor? 1t might be piracy On the high
seas. but-would England let it go be-
lore she had inspected it? And the re-
ward would be big.
{ You have never seen a submarine
Of the newer type, Summers" Nikolai
went on hastily, before l could inter-
pose any objection within those
shells one man, and certainly two, can
aold the entire crew at bay. How?
Well. stick of dynamite, retained in
proximity to the steering gear, is a
powerful aid. There are few sailors
who would choose certain death by
soffocation at the bottom of the sea in
preference to life with a modicum of
dishonor. Then. again, they keep no
arms except couple OF pistols or
SO A submarine is not an offensive
craft. One man, in fact. could easily
cvcrpower the entire crew.
Now. Summers. once we are
aboard, this shall be your task. Mean
while, shall assume charge of the
steering apparatus and bring the ves-
sci safely into Portsmouth harbor
There we deliver her to the authori-
lies. All are arrested and detained
pending the courts decision. In the
end the vessel is released, we are con-
dcmned to hang for piracy-and some
body opens our cell doors one night
sud a grateful government pensions
rs. Do you understand"
It's risky l suggested.
But it's sure" said Nickolai. And
;he audacity of the scheme makes its
;nidliment easy"
IN fact. the initial steps at any rate,
proved no formidable obstacle We
,Iaew that the Kiel naval yards must
DE the headquarters OF the mysterious
craft. There was no difficulty In dis
covering the slip at which she berth
I'd after each return from the English
coast. The streets were full Of Ger
nan sailors; discipline. never so dras-
tic in the navy as in the army, was a
trifle lax during the regatta week;
there vas mo difficulty in gaining ad-
iaittance to the slip.
.Nikolai, in the uniform of a naval
captain. and l. attired as his orderly,
did. in fact. penetrate the dockyard
many times during the ensuing week.
Ne soon discovered that the Hertha,
as the submarine was called, set forth
twice each week. for her explorations
of the North sea, returning to dock at
three-day intervals to replenish her
fuel. The crew consisted of picked
men. veterans of the service. who
were commanded by the same officer