Tarlenhein had other
instructions for us. We went ashore again and there encountered trouble.
We were captured.

"In London we were being taken to The Tower, when we all made a break
for liberty right in the middle of the city. Captain Tarlenhein was shot
down. The rest of us escaped. Through the instrumentality of my peculiar
resemblance to a British naval officer, we overcame numerous
difficulties, although my young friends here almost came to grief. It
was here that my striking resemblance to this British officer of whom I
speak enabled them to get away. We were, of course, dressed in British
uniforms, but the haste of another agent of the Emperor almost caused
our undoing."

The German officer had followed this account with interest. Apparently
he was much wrapped up in the narrative. He clenched his hand as Lord
Hastings paused.

"And who was this agent?" he demanded.

"An Englishman," replied Lord Hastings slowly. "An Englishman known as
Davis. He almost spoiled it all. However, we at length managed to escape
in spite of Davis--I don't know what has become of him--and made our
way, after many perils, to where the U-16 still awaited the return of
its commander.

"And what was our surprise, when we went aboard, to find it occupied by
two British officers and several British sailors. Fortunately for us,
these British officers--lazy dogs--were sleeping at their posts and we
pounced upon them and tumbled them overboard, all but three; whom we
kept as a crew, our own men having been taken prisoners by the enemy.
That was only yesterday, and here we are."

Lord Hastings paused.

"You have indeed had a hard time," said the young German. "But I am glad
to know you, all three of you. About this man Davis. I have a man aboard
my ship who might possibly be the same. He says his name is Davis, and
he is an Englishman; but I have placed no faith in his story. He is a
shifty-eyed scoundrel. I picked him up off the British coast about two
weeks ago."

"He is undoubtedly the same," said Lord Hastings. "Also his story
probably is true. I can vouch for the fact that he carries a number, and
that he was recently in England."

"Will you and your men come aboard my vessel?" invited the young German.
"I should be pleased to have you look at this man Davis. I have him in
irons."

"We shall be pleased," Lord Hastings accepted. "But first we must go
below and tie up these English sailors. We don't want them to get away."

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