"However, on you go with your yarn."

"Well, I decided on the spot to take Miss Holland into my
confidence--and I should like to say that confidence was never better
justified. She seemed inclined to do what she could for her country."
Commander Blacklock paused for an instant, and added apologetically, "I
am putting it very mildly and very badly, but you know what I mean.
She was, in fact, ready to do anything I asked her on receipt of a
summons from me. I had thought of her even when talking to Captain
Phipps, but I felt a little reluctant to involve her in the business,
with all it entailed, unless no other course remained open. And no
other course was open. And so I first telegraphed to her and then went
over and fetched her. That was how she came to play the part she did,
entirely at my request and instigation."

"You--you then told her to--to make me admire her?" asked von Belke in
an unsteady voice.

"Frankly I did. Of course it was not for me to teach a lady how to be
attractive, but I may say that we rehearsed several of the scenes very
carefully indeed,--I mean in connection with such matters as the things
you should say to Commander Wiedermann, and so on. Miss Holland placed
herself under my orders, and I simply told her what to say. She was in
no sense to blame."

"Blame!" cried Captain Phipps. "She deserves all the decorations
going!"

"I was trying to look at it from Mr Belke's point of view," said
Blacklock, "as I think Miss Holland probably desires."

She gave him a quick, grateful look, and he continued--

"It was I who suggested that she should appear critical of me, and
endeavour, as it were, to divide our household into two camps, so that
you should feel you were acting against me when you were actually doing
what I wished. I tell you this frankly so that you may see who was
responsible for the deceit that we were forced to practise."

"Forced!" cried the young lieutenant bitterly. "Who forced you to use
a woman? Could you not have deceived me alone?"

"No," said Blacklock candidly, "I couldn't, or I should not have sent
for Miss Holland. It was an extremely difficult problem to get you to
risk your life, and stand out against your commanding officer's wishes
and your own inclinations and your apparent duty, and come back to this
house after the whole plan was arranged and every argument seemed to be
in favour of your going aboard your boat again. Nobody but a man under
the i