CAPTAIN BROOKES
ON ships of all nationalities the captain's wishes are his commands.
Tregarthen fully recognised this; so, returning the young officer's
salute, he followed his guide from the cabin that had for so many
hours been his prison.
It was but a few steps to the captain's cabin, but during his journey
Tregarthen made good use of his eyes.
[Illustration: Staggering to the door he threw it open. To his great
surprise he saw a burly sentry standing without.]
As he left the cabin he looked forward. Here his range of vision was
limited by an armoured bulkhead, against which stood an arms-rack,
the weapons being similar to that carried by the sentry, each having
the peculiar cylindrical arrangement close to the muzzle. On either
side of the passage were a number of cabin doors; some were ajar, but
heavy curtains prevented him from seeing into the officers' quarters.
Between the bulkhead and the captain's cabin on the half-deck a
sentry was pacing to and fro. Smartly he came to the salute; Gerald's
companion returned the compliment, then, knocking at the door of the
captain's quarters, he waited till a deep voice bade him enter.
"Mr. Gerald Tregarthen, sir," announced the young officer, and with
this introduction he withdrew.
Gerald found himself in a spacious, well-lighted cabin, comfortably
furnished, yet without any pretence at luxury. Thick carpet covered
the floor, the walls were painted in a "flat" olive green colour,
relieved here and there by a small square port-hole. Right aft a
doorway in the armoured plating gave access to a little gallery or
stern-walk. The furniture consisted solely of a large mahogany table,
two sofa chairs, a well-filled bookcase, a sideboard, and a smaller
table littered with papers and drawings.
But Tregarthen paid scant heed to the contents, of the cabin. His
attention was drawn to its only other occupant. He was a man of short
stature, yet of a commanding and pompous presence, that is so often
found in persons whose bearing alone can atone for their loss of
inches. He was of a dark olive complexion, with deep-set eyes, full
features, dark brown closely cut hair, and a neatly trimmed moustache
and "torpedo" beard, after the style affected by British naval
officers. He was dressed in a dark blue "mess" uniform, black braid
taking the place of the usual gold lace. This, then, was Captain
Brookes, the officer in command of the mysterious cruiser.
For a space of nearly half a minute the captain remained silent,
apparently "sizing up" the young British officer who had fallen into
his power.
On his part Gerald Tregarthen drew himself up to his full height,
and, standing stiffly at attention, looked his captor--since captor
he undoubtedly was--squarely in the face, having first given him a
salute which the captain punctiliously returned.
"Take a chair, Mr. Tregarthen," began Captain Brookes, waving his
hand in the direction of one of the settees.
Gerald would have infinitely preferred to remain standing, but there
was a veiled authority in the words, and without a sign of protest he
yielded. Something in the man's personality compelled the
sub-lieutenant to obey.
"You are, I believe, a sub-lieutenant in the Royal Navy? Lately of
His Majesty's destroyer _Calder_?"
Gerald started. His interrogator seemed to know everything, but,
recollecting that Jack Stockton had in all probability been subjected
to a cross-examination, he replied: "Yes, sir."
"And, judging by this "--here he tapped an official Navy List that
was lying on the table--"you are what might be well described as a
promising young officer?"
"Might I ask, sir, why I am detained on board this vessel, and why I
am subjected to this inquisition?" asked Tregarthen, ignoring the
obvious flattery, yet truth, of the captain's last question.
"To come to the point, sir," replied Captain Brookes, "you came on
board because there was no choice in the matter; then, finding you
are a man likely to suit my purpose, I decided to retain you."
"To suit your purpose?"
"Precisely. What my intentions are I will hasten to explain in a few
words. You are now on board the cruiser _Olive Branch_, formerly
known as the _Almirante Constant_. The circumstances under which the
vessel was acquired from the Brazilian Government I will explain
later. The _Olive Branch_ has no nationality; she claims the
protection of no state or country. Hers is a particular mission; I, a
nonentity, though owning no earthly master, am the controlling
authority of a universal enterprise. No doubt men will call me a
crank, a maniac, or worse. Most benefactors of mankind are so
regarded--until they are dead and gone--but public opinion does not
trouble me one iota. To be brief and to the point, my mission is
universal peace, and my title is 'The Exterminator of War.'"
The captain paused to allow his words to carry weight. Tregarthen
gave no sign of incredulity or otherwise. He looked steadily at the
man who had made this astounding statement, wondering whether some
symptom of insanity lurked behind the calm exterior of his captor.
Captain Brooke's features were lit by an earnestness that denotes
sincerity of purpose.
"To continue: The _Olive Branch_ is the last word in naval
construction. I do not make this assertion without having carefully
weighed the truth of what I say. Warships claiming to be finality in
offensive power have been laid down, yet ere they leave the slips
plans for still more powerful vessels have already been passed, and
so on. Yet even taking the rapid rate of progress into consideration,
I can safely say that a hundred years hence--should there be any
necessity for them--there will be no vessels equal to the _Olive
Branch_ for purposes of offence and defence.
"I am prepared to show that naval warfare, as demonstrated by the
_Olive Branch_, will be so terrible that no nation will dare run the
risk of undertaking it. I purpose to police the high seas, and
ruthlessly exterminate the fleet of any nation that offers to break
the world's peace.
"For years past England has held the proud position of Mistress of
the Sea, using her power with firmness and wisdom. But these times
are rapidly passing away----"
"Sir, I protest," exclaimed Tregarthen, impetuously.
"Protests are of no avail, unfortunately," replied Captain Brookes,
with a suspicion of harshness in his voice. "Review the facts
carefully and deliberately, and you will have to admit that what I
say is true. Why do other nations, possessing little legitimate
interests on the ocean, knowing full well that their seaborne
commerce has hitherto been conducted without let or hindrance,
suddenly decide to build huge and powerful fleets? To what purpose do
they express their intention of rivalling the British fleet? Not from
necessity, but from sheer wantonness. Is that not so?"
"Then you, yourself, are an Englishman?"
"I am what I am, a cosmopolitan--a pariah, if you choose to term it
so. I prefer to let my identity remain a secret. Now, to put the
matter bluntly, are you prepared to throw in your lot with mine for
the space of not more than two years?"
"I am not. As a British officer my duties----"
"Then I must take steps to compel you."
"Compel me? You cannot."
"Mr. Tregarthen, before we talk of compulsion--though I admit I was
the first to suggest such a step--pray consider the main and side
issues of the question. You are bound by a solemn oath to obey your
lawful sovereign, King George V. Do you think you could serve him in
a better manner than by acquiring the knowledge of what this vessel
is, and how she is enabled to possess such irresistible power? The
Admiralty would be only too glad of a chance to gain the secret of
the _Olive Branch_. You would to all intents and purposes become a
naval attaché, with far greater prospects of gaining invaluable
knowledge. Now, this is my offer: Your service for the space of not
less than two years; your solemn word that you will obey my orders in
all matters, provided you are not called upon to commit a hostile act
against your own nation. Means will be afforded you to communicate
with the authorities at the Admiralty, in which you can explain the
facts under which you were compulsorily detained, and so on. Then, at
the end of two years, or before, should my mission be accomplished,
you will be permitted to return home, armed with the priceless
secrets that are to command universal peace. Is that clear?"
"And the alternative?"
"I do not wish to discuss the alternative beyond saying what I have
already stated." Then, seeing that Tregarthen was on the point of
giving a direct refusal, Captain Brookes interposed:--
"Now, don't do or say anything foolish. Take time to consider the
matter. I'll see you at four bells in the forenoon watch, when I
shall expect a definite reply."
_(A second instalment of this thrilling serial will appear next month)_
[Illustration]
[Illustration: In spite of his strenuous resistance they hauled the
deserter out of the empty tank, and then unceremoniously bundled him
into the gig.] [_See page_ 112.
[Illustration: second instalment]
BY PERCY F. WESTERMAN
Author of "A Lad of Grit," etc.
_ILLUSTRATED BY E. S. HODGSON_
*Characters in the Story*
GERALD TREGARTHEN, sub-lieutenant of H.M.S. _Calder_, decides to
spend his leave on a small yacht. He accordingly takes train to
Poole, where the craft is lying. On the journey he reads in a
newspaper a passage relating to the departure from the Tyne of a
powerful cruiser, nominally intended for the Brazilian Government,
also a series of reports concerning a mysterious accident to the
German cruiser _Zietan_. At Poole he joins his friend and former
school-chum.
JACK STOCKTON, owner of the yacht _Playmate_. The same night they put
to sea, intending to cross the Channel. When about thirty miles off
the Isle of Wight they encounter a dense sea-fog, and the _Playmate_
is run down by a large vessel. Tregarthen is stunned by some falling
gear, but is saved by Stockton, and both are taken on board the ship
that has run them down.
When Tregarthen recovers his senses he finds himself alone in a
cabin. From observation he comes to the conclusion that the vessel
possesses astounding speed and that she is heavily armoured; also
that he is a prisoner. At length he is taken into the presence of
CAPTAIN BROOKES, in command of the cruiser _Olive Branch_. This
individual claims that his cruiser is the most powerful vessel
afloat, and that it is his mission to exterminate war and secure
universal peace, using the super-powerful means at his command to
achieve that purpose.
He also informs Tregarthen that, as a British naval officer, he will
prove useful to the _Olive Branch_ in her mission, and suggests that
the sub-lieutenant should serve on board the cruiser for a period of
not more than two years. At the end of that time he will be able to
impart the valuable knowledge thus gained to the British Admiralty.
Tregarthen is about to refuse, but Captain Brookes reminds him that
in any case he is virtually a prisoner, and adds, "Take time to
consider the matter. I'll see you at four bells, when I shall expect
a positive reply."
[Illustration: chapter VI]