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Both men looked at me in astonishment, and then I had to explain all over again
as I had explained to the girl. Bradley and Olson were delighted. Immediately I
was put in command, and the first thing I did was to go below with Olson and
inspect the craft thoroughly for hidden boches and damaged machinery. There
were no Germans below, and everything was intact and in ship-shape working
order. I then ordered all hands below except one man who was to act as lookout.
Questioning the Germans, I found that all except the commander were willing to
resume their posts and aid in bringing the vessel into an English port. I believe
that they were relieved at the prospect of being detained at a comfortable English
prison-camp for the duration of the war after the perils and privations through
which they had passed. The officer, however, assured me that he would never be
a party to the capture of his vessel.
There was, therefore, nothing to do but put the man in irons. As we were
preparing to put this decision into force, the girl descended from the deck. It was
the first time that she or the German officer had seen each other's faces since we
had boarded the U-boat. I was assisting the girl down the ladder and still
retained a hold upon her arm--possibly after such support was no longer
necessary--when she turned and looked squarely into the face of the German.
Each voiced a sudden exclamation of surprise and dismay.
"Lys!" he cried, and took a step toward her.
The girl's eyes went wide, and slowly filled with a great horror, as she shrank
back. Then her slender figure stiffened to the erectness of a soldier, and with
chin in air and without a word she turned her back upon the officer.
"
Take him away," I directed the two men who guarded him, "and put him in
irons."
When he had gone, the girl raised her eyes to mine. "He is the German of whom I
spoke," she said. "He is Baron von Schoenvorts."
I merely inclined my head. She had loved him! I wondered if in her heart of
hearts she did not love him yet. Immediately I became insanely jealous. I hated
Baron Friedrich von Schoenvorts with such utter intensity that the emotion
thrilled me with a species of exaltation.
But I didn't have much chance to enjoy my hatred then, for almost immediately
the lookout poked his face over the hatchway and bawled down that there was
smoke on the horizon, dead ahead. Immediately I went on deck to investigate,
and Bradley came with me.
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