iver's
licence testified. A keen golfer, good shot, and fisherman, he was
also a botanist; and that, perhaps, thought Ross, might account for his
presence on St. Mena's Island, although it was difficult to reconcile
the fact that Ramblethorne had an appointment with a stranger at this
desolate spot. If a joint botanic expedition had been fixed up, why
had not the two men met on the mainland?

The unknown made no attempt to advance to meet the doctor. Instead, he
remained within the ruins until Ramblethorne entered.

Their greeting was a surprise even to the lads, for the doctor, holding
out his hand, exclaimed in German:

"Well met, von Ruhle! Let us hope that your arrangements will prove
satisfactory."

CHAPTER II

The Tables Turned

Both Ross Trefusis and Vernon Haye understood and could speak German.
Ross was especially good in his knowledge of the language of the modern
Hun, for in his early youth he had been inflicted with a German
governess. Since German is one of the subjects for Sandhurst--for
which both lads were preparing--their knowledge had been considerably
improved under the cast-iron rule of a native professor.

"Eminently satisfactory," replied von Ruhle. "We will go into details
later. You had no difficulty in coming here, I hope?"

"None whatever."

"No suspicions?" asked von Ruhle anxiously.

Ramblethorne smiled.

"My dear von Ruhle," he replied. "A medical practitioner is above
suspicion. He is free to go anywhere at any hour of the day or night
without question. No man would suspect----"

"You are clever, von Hauptwald----"

"Ssh!" interrupted the doctor. "Call me Ramblethorne, if you please.
Of course there is no danger here, but at other times and in other
places you might incautiously give the show away. You had a good
passage?"

"Excellent," replied von Ruhle. "I am getting well-known to the
strafed English custom-house officers at Queenboro' and Harwich. They
recognize me by my stick, I believe, but they little know that it is a
new one every time. What do you think of this? I have brought it as a
specimen for you to see. Just fancy! every time I cross to Holland
twenty kilogrammes of good copper are on their way to the Fatherland.
By this time Herr Stabb of Essen is well acquainted with my Malacca
canes."

"A good weight to carry about," remarked Ramblethorne, wielding the
disguised bar of copper. "I wonder you troubled."

"Mein Gott! I could not