r rose as we entered, and the British and
German uniforms bowed to each other under circumstances which were
possibly unique. Because, though Ashingtons do exist and these things
sometimes happen, they generally happen in mufti. I looked at our
visitor very hard. On his part, he looked at me sharply for a moment,
and then averted his eyes. I should certainly have done the same in
his place.

He was a big burly man, dark, and getting bald. His voice was deep and
rich; his skin shone with physical fitness; altogether he was a fine
gross animal, and had his spirit been as frank and jovial as his
appearance suggested, I could have pictured him the jolliest of company
in the ward-room and the life and soul of a desperate enterprise. But
he maintained a frowning aspect, and was clearly a man whose sullen
temper and sense of injury had led him into my friend's subtle net.
However, here he was, and it was manifestly my business not to
criticise but to make the most of him.

"Well, gentlemen," began Tiel, "I don't think we need beat about the
bush. Captain Ashington has an idea, and it is for Lieutenant von
Belke to approve of it or not. I know enough myself about naval
affairs to see that there are great possibilities in the suggestion,
but I don't know enough to advise on it."

"What is the suggestion?" I asked in a very dry and non-committal voice.

Captain Ashington, I noticed, cleared his throat before he began.

"The fleet is going out one evening next week," he said; "probably on
Thursday."

"How do you know?" I demanded.

He looked confidentially at Tiel.

"Mr Tiel knows the source of my information," he said.

"I should like to know it too," said I.

"I can vouch for Captain Ashington's information," said Tiel briefly.

There is something extraordinarily decisive and satisfying about Tiel
when he speaks like that. I knew it must be all right; still, I felt
it my duty to make sure.

"Have you any objections to telling me?" I asked.

Tiel stepped to my side and whispered--

"I told you about his brother."

I understood, and did not press my question. Whether to respect the
man for this remnant of delicacy, or to despise him for not being a
more thorough, honest blackguard, I was not quite sure.

"Well," I said, "suppose we know when they are going out, they will
take the usual precautions, I presume?"

Ashington leaned forward confidentially over the table.

"They are going out on a new co