, when you assembled on the deck of your
craft four prisoners, of whom I was one, then closed your manhole and
submerged, leaving us floundering in the water, and, as you expected, to
die by drowning?"

"I have not admitted that any such thing took place," Herr Dreiner cried,
hastily, with a side glance at Lieutenant Fernald.

"It will make no difference, Herr Dreiner, whether you admit or deny that
inhuman attempt to murder four helpless prisoners," Dave rejoined. "It so
happened that all four of us kept alive until rescued, and we are all
four ready, at any time, to appear against you. So there is no use in
evasion."

"Then you intend to bring the charge against me?" asked Dreiner, in a
voice husky with either emotion or dread.

"I can make neither promises nor threats as to that," Darrin countered.

"The stern British military courts would sentence me to death on that
charge."

"Probably," Dave agreed.

"And I have a very particular reason for wanting to live," Dreiner went
on.

"Yes?"

"I have eight young children at home, and their sole dependence is on
what I earn," the German continued. "I do not mind dying, for myself, but
in that event what will become of my poor little children?"

"You Germans fill me with disgust!" Dave Darrin exclaimed, rising, as
though to terminate the interview. "It seems to be a rule with you
fellows, when you find yourselves facing death, to whine about the
children you must leave behind to starve. Before you set out to murder me
in an especially brutal manner, did you take the trouble to ask me
whether _I_ had any children who would starve? Did you ask Mr. and Mrs.
Launce whether they had children that were not provided for? And what
about that honest old sea-dog, Captain Kennor? Did you pause to inquire
whether he was leaving hungry children behind? For that matter, have any
of you wild beasts on German submarines ever worried yourselves about the
families you orphaned by your inhuman crimes at sea? Even in the case of
the 'Lusitania,' did _that_ submarine commander ask himself, or any one
else, what would happen to the women and children who were pitched into
the sea? You are wild to murder innocent, harmless people belonging to
an enemy nation, yet when you yourselves are brought face to face with
death you are all alike. You whine! You beg! Dreiner, you are not man
enough to play the game! Your appeal in the name of your eight children,
who, for that matter, may not ev