Boy Allies Under the Sea; Or, The Vanishing Submarines

by Clair W. Hayes

  CHAPTER XXV.

  DOOMED TO DIE.

  It was a bitter disappointment to Jack, but he felt he could do nothingbut submit. True, he thought to himself, he could probably have attackedthe German commander, and perhaps have overcome him; but there was Frankto be considered, and his own injured right arm. No, he felt he could donothing but submit.

  "Very well, sir," he answered the German, "but first you will pleasepermit me to see to my friend."

  He indicated Frank's prostrate form across the room. The German saw itthen for the first time and nodded assent.

  "Also," said Jack, "it would be well if you did not permit that man,"indicating Davis, "to escape. He is a traitor."

  "So?" exclaimed the officer.

  He drew his revolver and mounted guard over Davis.

  "There is really no use my guarding you," he said. "Half a dozen of mymen are below, so you could hardly escape."

  In the meantime Jack bent over Frank and raised his chum's head to hisknee. Then he arose, asked permission of the German to leave the roomfor water. The permission was granted and Jack returned a moment later,his cap filled with water.

  He sprinkled the water over Frank's face and soon perceived signs ofreturning consciousness. Frank drew a deep breath and opened his eyes.Then he pushed Jack aside and sat up.

  "What's happened?" he asked in a faint voice.

  In a few words Jack explained.

  "I remember now," said Frank. "Help me up."

  Jack did so and then for the first time Frank caught sight of the Germannaval commander.

  "What's he doing here?" he asked of Jack.

  "Oh, he's just arrested us; that's all," said Jack.

  "Yes," said the German, "and I must ask you to accompany me now. Youshall come aboard my ship until this matter has been investigatedthoroughly. I'll take charge of you, rather than to turn you over to themilitary authorities; for after all you are naval officers and I shallhelp you if I can. Please precede me; and you too," this last to Davisin a gruffer tone.

  All proceeded below, where eight or ten other men stood waiting. Thenall marched away.

  Reaching the water front all entered a small boat and were rowed towarda submarine, perhaps a quarter of a mile away.

  As they passed, Jack noticed the U-6 a short distance away and made outLord Hastings' figure on the bridge. He raised an arm and waved it. Hewas not sure that his signal had been seen, but he did not wish to drawfurther attention to his commander.

  Aboard the submarine the German commander had them taken to his owncabin, where he insisted upon his own surgeon dressing Frank's wound andhaving a look at Jack's arm.

  The surgeon pronounced both injuries slight and prescribed rest. Severaltimes Frank caught the German commander looking at him curiously and itworried him somewhat, for there was something familiar about the man,though Frank could not seem to place him.

  "I'm just trying to think," said the German to Frank, "where I have seenyou before. I don't place your name."

  "I can't remember you, sir," replied Frank.

  Suddenly the German slapped his thigh. Frank's heart sank for somereason he was unable to explain to himself.

  "I have it!" exclaimed the German. "You are the lad whom I captured froma British submarine in the Kiel Canal not so long ago. I remember youwell now. You escaped. So you are a British spy, eh?"

  "I--I----" began Frank.

  The German raised a hand.

  "It will do you no good to deny it," he said quietly. "I cannot bemistaken. Besides, I can plainly see now that you are no German; andthis supposed-to-be German officer with you is also British. I can seeit now. So is the other prisoner, though I cannot see what you shouldhave been fighting about."

  Neither Frank nor Jack replied. Each realized that there was no use inentering a denial.

  "I'll take my oath I'm sorry for this," said the German. "Of course, youknow there is but one thing I can do?"

  Frank nodded understandingly.

  "You were found within our lines in German uniforms," said thecommander. "Therefore you are spies and must be treated as such. Imyself shall call a court martial within the hour. You must be shot. Theother man will be tried separately, but I have no doubt he will sufferthe same fate. Orderly!"

  A second officer entered the room.

  "Have these prisoners closely guarded and bring them here an hour fromnow," he ordered. "Then summon the commanders of the other vessels inthe harbor. They shall sit on a court martial here. Hurry."

  Jack and Frank were led from the cabin and locked in another compartmentat the far end of the ship where they sat in silence until they wereconducted to the commander's cabin.

  And as they gazed about the cabin the eyes of both opened wide insurprise, though they made no sound.

  For there, sitting with five other German officers about the table, wasnone other than Lord Hastings, still wearing his German uniform. He wassitting on the trial board.

  The German commander who had captured them presided.

  "Bring in the other prisoner," he commanded.

  A moment later Davis was led in. The lads saw a surprised expressionflash over Lord Hastings' face as his eyes rested on Davis; but he satstill.

  Then, suddenly appearing to take a close look at Frank and Jack for thefirst time, he jumped to his feet and approached them. After a carefulscrutiny, he uttered a loud exclamation and turned to the otherofficers.

  "Sirs," he said quietly, "you have indeed made an important capture.These men, although apparently young, are two of the most trusted ofBritish spies. I know them, for I have come in close contact with them,"and he glared at them angrily. "So, we have you at last, eh?" addressingthe boys, who shrank back in well-feigned alarm.

  As for Davis, he said nothing. He had been doing a lot of thinking andhad come to the conclusion that it was better to postpone his fate bybeing rescued with Frank and Jack, if possible; for he had a prettyshrewd idea that Lord Hastings was there for some such purpose.

  "So," continued Lord Hastings, eyeing the two lads angrily. "I have you,eh. I would like to put a hole through each of you myself." He half drewa revolver.

  The German commander interfered.

  "None of that, if you please, sir," he commanded sharply. "They shallhave trial; and if they are convicted, as I have no doubt they will be,I shall bestow upon you the doubtful honor of performing the execution."

  "And I shall be pleased indeed, sir," replied Lord Hastings with a leer.

  The German commander turned from him in disgust.

  "It is such men as you, who are a disgrace to the navy," he saidquietly.

  "Sir!" exclaimed Lord Hastings, facing the German in apparent wrath,though nothing could have pleased him better--things were working outmuch better than he had dared hope.

  "Tut! Tut!" exclaimed the German commander. "I have no time to quarrelwith you now. But when the war is over, it will give me much pleasure toput an end to one of your ilk."

  "I shall remember that!" exclaimed Lord Hastings. "You shall answer tome, sir."

  "When the war is over, I shall be very much at your service," was thequiet rejoinder. "But now to business. Prisoners, you may all stand uptogether. Your name?" he demanded of Jack.

  "Templeton, sir," replied the lad quietly.

  "And yours, sir?" demanded the German of Frank.

  "Chadwick, sir."

  The German turned to Davis.

  "Davis, sir," replied the man before the German could propound thequestion.

  "Have any of you prisoners anything to say in extenuation of youractions?"

  There was no reply.

  "No reason why the death sentence should not be passed upon you?"continued the German.

  Still there was no reply.

  The German commander then explained what he knew of the three and calledfor a vote.

  "Commander Derndorff?"

  "Death!" was the response.

  "Commander Hellwig?"

  "Death!"


  "Commander Berne?"

  "Death!"

  "Commander Blough?"

  "Death!"

  "Commander Bernstorff?"

  Lord Hastings' response was louder than the rest and he smiled evilly ashe cried:

  "Death!"

  The German commander who had captured the lads made a grimace but saidnothing.

  He paused a moment and then declared quietly:

  "My verdict also is death!"

  Lord Hastings, apparently, could restrain his impatience no longer.

  "Good! Good!" he cried.

  "The sentence of this court martial," continued the German commanderunheeding Lord Hastings, "is that the prisoners all be shot at sunrisetomorrow. Commander Bernstorff, since you are so eager to perform thedisagreeable duty, you may command the execution; and that your men maythink the less of you, as president of this court martial, I order youto choose the firing squad from among your own crew."

  Lord Hastings beamed on him.

  "It shall be done with pleasure," he declared eagerly.

  "And," continued the president of the court martial, "you shall take theprisoners aboard your own vessel and you shall be held responsible forthem. I could almost hope they would escape, so that you should suffer,"he added to himself.

  "Good, sir. Good!" cried Lord Hastings. "I shall remove them at once,sir."

  "One thing more," said the commander sharply. "They must not beill-treated. Understand?"

  Lord Hastings' face fell in well-feigned disappointment. He appeared todraw himself together, saluted and said with an apparent effort.

  "You shall be obeyed, sir."

  "Take them away, then."

  Lord Hastings ordered the three marched to the side of the vessel, wherethey stepped aboard the little boat. Then they were rowed rapidly towardthe U-6.

  As they neared the submarine, where they knew lay safety, the spirits ofthe lads soared once more, in spite of their wounds. Frank expressedJack's sentiments as well as his own when he leaned close to LordHastings and muttered:

  "Close shave, sir!"