ty. Our duty as
officers of the Navy can be performed only by frustrating the hideous
plot altogether.

"So, Ensigns Darrin and Dalzell, while we are at Naples you will spend
as much of your time as possible on shore. You will go about
everywhere, as though to see the sights of the city and as if bent on
getting your fill of pleasure. Unless under pressing need you will not
be extravagant in your expenditures, but will conduct yourselves as
though sight-seeing within the limits of your modest pay as ensigns.
You will, however, not be put to any expense in the matter, as all
your expenditures will be returned to you out of an emergency fund in
my hands.

"Your object in going ashore will be to report if you see Gortchky in
Naples. I feel rather certain that the fellow is already there. You,
Mr. Darrin, will also keep your eyes wide open for a sight of either
or both of that pair whom you overheard talking at Monte Carlo. You
will also note and report if you find the Countess Ripoli in Naples."

"And if we meet her and if she speaks to us, sir?" asked Dalzell.
"What if she even wishes to entertain us, or to claim our escort?"

"Do whatever you can to please the Countess," replied the Admiral,
promptly. "Be agreeable to her in any way that does not interfere with
other and more important duties to which I have assigned you."

Judging by a sign from the fleet commander that the interview was now
at an end, Dave and Dan rose, standing at attention.

"Perhaps I have given you a wrong impression in one particular,"
Admiral Timworth continued. "I do not wish you to understand,
gentlemen, that I have intimated that any power, or any combination
of powers, has directly ordered any act that would lead to the sinking
of British warships. Governments, even the worst, do not act in that
way. The thing which the power I have in mind may have done is to give
certain secret agents a free hand to bring about war between England
and the United States. Undoubtedly, the secret agents at the bottom of
this conspiracy have been left free to choose their own methods. Thus
the foreign government interested in this conspiracy could feel that
it did not _order_ the commission of a crime, no matter what might
happen as the result. Now, gentlemen, have you any questions to ask?"

"None, sir," Dave Darrin responded immediately.

"None, sir," echoed Dalzell.

"Then you may go," rejoined Admiral Timworth, rising and returning the
parting sa