er much the Germans violated
the "right of search", it was not Great Britain's policy to engage upon
reprisals. Holland, although a third-rate Power, had to be treated
with due courtesy.

"It's all the same in the long run," replied Captain Syllenger. "Board
that vessel, Mr. Haye, and see what those fellows are doing there. If
the Dutch skipper objects to their presence on his hooker, then bundle
them into the boat. If, on the other hand, he protests against their
removal, let them remain. They will be collared as soon as the ship
enters our three-mile limit."

The _Hoorn_ had once more come to a dead stop, at two cables' length
from the British patrol-vessel.

As the _Capella's_ cutter came alongside, Vernon agilely scrambled up
the "monkey ladder" and gained the deck.

"Hulloa, old man!" exclaimed a well-known voice.

Vernon looked at the speaker. He knew the voice, but for a moment he
failed to recognize in the oddly garbed youth his chum Ross Trefusis.
Then he grinned broadly.

"My word!" he exclaimed. "You do cut a pretty figure."

Had they been of any nationality but British, the lads would have
fallen on each other's necks and perhaps kissed each other. Instead,
they stood a yard apart and laughed--but their mutual joy was none the
less genuine.

"So you've come to fetch the German Leutnant and his boat's crew," said
Ross, after Haye had been introduced to the Flight-Sub. "He's
somewhere below. You'll recognize him right enough."

"Eh?" asked Vernon incredulously.

"Rather!" declared Ross emphatically. "You'd never guess. It's our
old pal, Hermann Rix, late of U75. No wonder he's tearing his hair,
for he must have broken his parole. He knew me directly he came over
the side, and didn't forget to rub it in. You should have seen his
face when, in the midst of his beastly gibes, the old _Capella_ came
snorting up."

With Jan acting as interpreter, Vernon put his case before the Dutch
skipper, who seemed only too delighted at the way events had turned.
His satisfaction at getting rid of his Hunnish visitors was evident, in
spite of the stolidity of his manners.

"I want no pirates on board the _Hoorn_," he said. "Take them and
welcome!"

While the Flight-Sub and Ross were "squaring up" with the good-hearted
Jan, Vernon rounded up Ober-leutnant Rix and his boat's crew. Finding
that their protests to the Dutch skipper were of no avail, they
sullenly gave in.

"Look here," said Ross,