night?"

"I know it is asking a great deal of you; but, my dear Belke, duty is
duty."

"My duty is with my ship," I said quickly. "Besides, it is the post of
danger--and of honour. Think of Thursday night!"

"Do you honestly think you are essential to the success of a torpedo
attack?"

"Every officer will be required."

"My dear Belke, you didn't answer my question. Are you _essential_?"'

"My dear Tiel," I replied firmly, for I was quite resolved I should not
remain cooped up in this infernal house, exposed to hourly risk of
being shot as a spy, while my ship was going into action, "I am sorry
to seem disobliging; but I am a naval officer, and my first duty is
quite clear to me."

"Pardon me for reminding you that you are at present under my orders,"
said he.

"While this affair is being arranged only."

"But I say that I have not yet finished my arrangements."

I saw that I was in something of a dilemma, for indeed it was difficult
to say exactly how my injunctions met the case.

"Well," I said, "I shall tell you what I shall do. I shall put it to
my superior officer, Commander Wiedermann, and ask him whether he
desires me to absent myself any longer."

This was a happy inspiration, for I felt certain what Wiedermann would
say.

"Then I shall not know till to-morrow night whether to count on
you--and then I shall very probably lose you?"

I shrugged my shoulders, but said nothing. Suddenly his face cleared.

"My dear fellow," he said, "I won't press you. Rejoin your ship if you
think it your duty."

By mutual consent we changed the subject, and discussed the question of
submarines _versus_ surface ships, a subject in which Tiel showed both
interest and acumen, though I had naturally more knowledge, and could
contribute much from my own personal experience. I must add that it is
a pleasure to discuss such matters with him, for he has a frank and
genuine respect for those who really understand what they are talking
about.

Towards evening I went back to my room, and fell to writing this
narrative again, but about ten o'clock I had another visit from Tiel;
and again he disconcerted me, though not so seriously this time.

"I had a message from Ashington, asking to see me," he explained, "and
I have just returned from a meeting with him. He tells me that the
date of the fleet's sailing will probably be altered to Friday, but he
will let me know definitely to-morrow or Tuesday."

"Or Tuesd