captain, till I got one you didn't
know. Well, I needn't recall what happened at our council of war, but
now we come to rather a----" he hesitated and glanced for an instant at
Miss Holland,--"well, rather a delicate point in the story. I think
it's only fair to those concerned to tell you pretty fully what
happened. I believe I am right in thinking that they would like me to
do so."

Again he glanced at the girl, and this time she gave a little assenting
nod.

"That night, after you left us, Mr Belke, Captain Phipps and I had a
long discussion over a very knotty point. How were we to get you back
again here after you had delivered your message to your submarine?"

"I do not see exactly why you wished me to return?" said von Belke.

"There were at least three vital reasons, In the first place some one
you spoke to might have known too much about Tiel and have spotted the
fraud. Then again, some one might easily have known the real Captain
Ashington, and it would be a little difficult to describe Captain
Phipps in such a way as to confound him with any one else. Finally, we
wished to extract a little more information from you."

Von Belke leapt from his seat with an exclamation.

"What have I not told you!" he cried hoarsely. "Mein Gott, I had
forgotten that! Give me that pistol! Come, give it to me! Why keep
me alive?"

"I suppose because it is an English custom," replied Commander
Blacklock quietly. "Also, you will be exceedingly glad some day to
find yourself still alive. Please sit down and listen. I am anxious
to explain this point fully, for a very good reason."

With a groan their captive sat down, but with his head held now between
his hands and his eyes cast upon the floor.

"We agreed that at all costs this must be managed, and so I tried my
hand at exercising my authority over you. I saw that was going to be
no good, and gave it up at once for fear you'd smell a rat. And then I
thought of Miss Holland."

Von Belke looked up suddenly.

"Ah!" he cried, "so that is why this lady appeared--this lady I may not
call a decoy!"

"That is why," said Blacklock.

II.

THE LADY.

Lieutenant von Belke looked for a moment at the lady who had enslaved
him, but for some reason he averted his gaze rather quickly. Then with
an elaborate affectation of sarcastic politeness which served but ill
to conceal the pain at his heart and the shock to his pride, he
inquired--

"May I be permit