THE GAME IS OPENED.
The crowd of sailors disappeared as if by magic, and Frank, Jack and
Lieutenant Taylor found themselves alone with Lord Hastings. The latter
said no further word, and, without attempting to speak, Frank and his
vanquished adversary made their way from the gun deck to their cabins.
Jack followed a moment later, after waiting in vain for some other word
from Lord Hastings.
Frank greeted his friend's arrival with a sickly smile.
"Looks like I was in for it, doesn't it?" he said.
"It does," was the reply. "Now, if you had taken my advice----"
"Don't preach," Frank broke in. "Anyhow, there is no use crying over
spilt milk. I shall have to take my medicine. What do you suppose Lord
Hastings will do with me?"
"I haven't the slightest idea. But say," and Jack grew enthusiastic,
"that was some scrap you put up. I didn't know you were a fighter. Why
didn't you tell me?"
"I only did my best," replied Frank modestly. "I thought he had me two
or three times."
"I was afraid so, too. But, if he had beaten you, I would have given him
a good licking myself."
"What? How about the advice you gave me?"
"Well, that's different," said Jack, in some confusion.
"I see it is. Now, under the same circumstances, you would have done
just as I did, wouldn't you?"
Jack smiled somewhat sheepishly.
"I guess I should," was his reply.
Further conversation was interrupted by the entrance of a sailor, who
announced that Lord Hastings desired their presence in his cabin
immediately.
"Well, here's where I learn my fate," said Frank, as he went on deck,
followed by Jack.
Lord Hastings was writing when the boys entered his cabin. He looked up,
motioned them to a seat with a nod, and resumed his work. A moment later
Lieutenant Taylor came in, and was also motioned to a seat. Finally,
Lord Hastings wheeled about in his chair and spoke.
"You," he said, indicating Frank and the lieutenant, "have broken one of
the most stringent rules of the naval manual. What have you to say in
justification of your actions?"
"Nothing, sir," replied the lieutenant.
Frank remained silent.
"The least punishment I should mete out," continued Lord Hastings, "is
to confine you both to your quarters indefinitely. But we are somewhat
short-handed now. If you will give me your words that there will be no
repetition of this disgraceful scene, I shall suspend punishment."
"For my part, I promise gladly," said Frank.
Lord Hastings turned toward Lieutenant Taylor.
"And you?" he questioned.
"The little whelp insulted me," exclaimed the lieutenant. "I shall make
no promises, unless he is kept out of my way."
"Very well, sir," replied Lord Hastings. "Remain in your cabin until you
receive further orders. You may go!"
"But, your lordship----" protested the lieutenant.
"Not a word, sir!" exclaimed Lord Hastings. "Return to your cabin
immediately."
The lieutenant saluted and left the cabin. Hardly had he taken his
departure when there was a sudden change in Lord Hastings' manner. He
rose to his feet, advanced across the cabin and took Frank by the hand.
"That was a great fight!" he exclaimed with enthusiasm. "It did me good
to see you polish off that traitor. I would have liked to be in your
place!"
Frank was taken by surprise.
"But--but----" he stammered.
"I know, I know," cried Lord Hastings, raising a protesting hand. "It's
against the rules and regulations and should merit punishment. But there
are extenuating circumstances. It has worked out beautifully."
"What, sir?" demanded Jack, who had remained silent up to this time.
"Why, Taylor is disposed of for the time being. He will not dare to
leave his quarters, and in the meantime we can go about our plans
without fear of interruption. We can get rid of Hardy without arousing
his suspicions."
"Then I am not to be punished, sir?" asked Frank.
"Not this time," was the reply. "But don't let it happen again."
"I won't, sir," Frank promised.
"By the way," said Lord Hastings, as the lads turned to leave the cabin.
"It may interest you to know that to-morrow we shall join the fleet off
Helgoland. I have already been in communication with Admiral Jellicoe,
and he approves of our plan. It must be carried out to-day."
"Good!" exclaimed Frank and Jack.
"Yes," continued Lord Hastings. He extended a slip of paper to Frank.
"Give this to the wireless operator," and he added, with a smile: "Then
make sure there is no one near the wireless room--except Hardy. He must
overhear this message, you know."
The boys saluted and left the cabin. Frank glanced at the message.
"What does it say?" demanded Jack eagerly.
Frank read aloud:
"Safe to send half of fleet to Baltic to-morrow night. Order
submarine and several destroyers close into Helgoland at same
time--this to make imminent attack apparent, so enemy may not
learn of other move and attack in force.--HASTINGS."
The message placed in the hands of the operator, the boys returned to
their own cabin. As they made their way along the deck they saw Hardy
loitering near the wireless room.
"He'll hear it, all right," said Jack, with a grin.
"How do you construe that message?" asked Frank.
"Well," replied Jack, "let's see if we can't figure it out. Say the
Germans, having been furnished with the text of the message--fake though
it is--believe half the British fleet has started for the Baltic. They
will figure that their own strong fleet can easily destroy the remaining
half of our fleet. Therefore, when they believe it has been divided,
they will attack. Lured from beneath the protection of the heavy shore
guns, we shall make short work of them.
"I figure that the submarine and destroyers will approach nearer the
port to flash word of the German advance. Besides, their appearance will
further strengthen the belief of the Germans that half of the fleet has
sailed--particularly in view of the false message, for it would be the
natural thing to do if half the fleet really were going away, as it
would keep the Germans from attacking."
"I see what you mean," declared Frank. "And I guess that is the way Lord
Hastings has figured it out."
"I'm sure of it," was the reply. "But come on deck, and let's see if we
can see what use Hardy will make of the information he has obtained."
Moving stealthily along the deck, the lads saw the sailor making his way
toward Lieutenant Taylor's cabin. There he slipped a piece of paper
through the window. Then he loitered near.
There came a slight tapping on the window, and the sailor again
approached it. The boys heard the lieutenant's voice.
"It is time to act," he said. "It has come sooner than I expected.
Return in half an hour, and I will have prepared the message you must
send the Germans."
Hardy slunk away.
"We must report this to Lord Hastings at once," exclaimed Frank. "Come!"
The lads rushed to the commander's cabin, where they told him what they
had overheard.
"Good!" said Lord Hastings. "Now, listen to me carefully. We are in easy
communication with the British fleet, and also with the Germans, by
wireless. Watch Taylor's cabin, and, as soon as he passes the message to
Hardy, you order the wireless operator to report to me at once. Then
hide.
"I give this order for two reasons: First, I do not want the operator
hurt, and second, Hardy must be allowed to send the message to the
Germans without molestation."
The lads saluted and left the cabin. They took their stand close to the
wireless cabin, but still commanded a view of Lieutenant Taylor's
quarters. Here they waited.
Their patience was at length rewarded. Hardy again approached the
lieutenant's cabin, and received a slip of paper through the window.
"Now to get the operator away," exclaimed Frank, and moved toward the
wireless room.
The operator left the room at their orders, and the two boys disappeared
just as the sailor approached the wireless station. The lads saw him
enter the cabin. Then they went to make their report to Lord Hastings.
"Good!" exclaimed the latter. "Mr. Templeton, inform Lieutenant Taylor
that I have countermanded the order confining him to his cabin. Order
him to return to his duties!"