Dave Darrin After the Mine Layers (Paperback)

Excerpt: ...Schellen, saluting and reporting in an undertone. "It is time for you to go below," announced von Schellen, turning to Dave. "I appreciate very much this opportunity to take the fresh air," Dave said, politely, as he turned toward the conning tower. "Oh, I guess you're welcome," said the lieutenant, shortly, and with a meaning smile, "though sometimes there is such a thing as too much outdoor life." To Darrin's mild astonishment, as he stepped below, a folding table had been set up, and around this were seated the ober-lieutenant and two other officers, one of them an engineer. Von Schellen, at a nod from his chief, made the fourth at the table. 130 Into this cabin were brought the English couple and the Danish master. Several sailors stood about. The occasion began to take on a formal look, which was heightened when the ober-lieutenant laid on the table a small sheaf of papers. "First of all, you, Herr Darrin," began the ober-lieutenant. "There can be no doubt that you are Darrin?" Dave thrust a hand in under his sheepskin, bringing to light a card-case. From it he withdrew a pasteboard which he laid on the table. "That is my card," he said. The ober-lieutenant studied it deliberately, then passed it to another officer as he continued: "And you do not deny that it was you who captured Ober-Lieutenant von Bechtold of the Imperial German Navy. You were the principal witness against him when he was tried in Britain for being a spy?" "I do not deny it, sir." "That is all. You may step back." As Darrin drew back he could not escape the feeling that two of the seamen near him regarded him as being their especial prisoner. "And now, the Earl and Countess of Denby," called the ober-lieutenant. The English couple remained as motionless and appeared as unconcerned as though they had not heard. 131 "You two, I mean," insisted the ober-lieutenant, turning to them. "Oh," said the man, and stepped forward, his wife following him. The ober-lieutenant eyed the...