finite to say on that subject?" demanded the
ober-lieutenant, regarding his prisoner attentively.

"Naturally not."

"Then, as I shall be busy, will you be good enough to return to the
bounds set for you?"

Dave bowed, turned and re-entered the passage-way. The German naval
officer's manner toward him had not been insulting. There was an evident
effort to treat Darrin with the outward show of respect that should be
accorded to a prisoner of his rank. Yet Dave knew that his enemy hated
him.

Mr. and Mrs. Launce were in the passage-way, and Captain Kennor could be
heard stirring in his cabin.

"Mr. Darrin, we are now at good depth under water?" inquired Mr. Launce.

"Yes, sir; I believe so. We are not to be caught and destroyed just yet."

"That I am sorry to hear," replied the lawyer, gravely.

"And, I, too, am sorry," spoke up Mrs. Launce. "Life has been sweet to
me, but I would much rather be dead than a captive in Germany. I condole
with you, Mr. Darrin, that it was not possible for you to bring about the
destruction of this wretched craft."

"It will, before long, go the way of the other German submarines," Dave
assured her, hoping that there were enemy eavesdroppers who would
overhear and understand.

At best exercise in this narrow short passage was a farce, though it was
often more agreeable to be out here than sitting in the cramped space of
one of the tiny sleeping cabins. The four prisoners rested, or moved
listlessly about, until the evening meal was ready. Then Captain Kennor
was summoned to eat with the petty officers, while Dave and his English
companions received word to join the craft's officers in the tiny
wardroom.

Mr. Launce glanced at Dave with a questioning look.

"Really, Mr. Darrin, I would as soon starve as eat with those German
officer fellows, and my wife feels as I do about it."

"And my idea is the same," Dave answered.

So Mr. Launce turned to the German mess servant, delivering in German a
message to the effect that the three prisoners did not care to join the
officers at mess.

Thereupon von Schellen came out.

"What is the matter?" he asked.

"We don't care to eat with you, sir," Mr. Launce replied, bluntly.

"Oh, very well," replied the junior officer, carelessly. "You three,
then, may eat at second table after we are pleased to be through."

Clicking his heels and wheeling, the junior officer went back to the
wardroom. The three prisoners waited more than an hour