on. He seemed to be making an
announcement and expecting Tom to confirm it.

"Quite a lot," said Tom.

"Two thousand, huh?"

"I couldn't count them, there were so many."

"How many trips you make?"

"This was my first on a transport," said Tom.

"Huh. You make Brest? Vere?"

"It wasn't Brest," said Tom, "and I ain't supposed to tell you."

"Vell, I ain't supposed to rescue you neither."

"If you'd asked me before you rescued me, even then I wouldn't of told
you," said Tom simply.

"Huh. You talk beeg. Look out!"

And still he twirled his mustache.

"Dey catch a spy, huh?"

"Yes, they did," said Tom, feeling very much ashamed and wondering how
his questioner knew. Then it occurred to him that this very U-boat had
perhaps been watching for the signal light, and it gave him fresh
satisfaction to remember that _he_ had perhaps foiled this man who sat
there twirling his mustache.

The commander did not pursue this line of inquiry, supposing, perhaps,
that a mess boy would not be informed as to such matters, but he
catechised Tom about everything else, foiled at every other question by
the stolid answer, "I ain't supposed to tell you." And he could not
frighten or browbeat or shake anything out of him.

At length, he desisted, summoned a subordinate and poured a torrent of
German gibberish at him, the result of which was that Tom's wet clothes
were taken from him and he was ushered to one of the berths along the
aisle, presumably there to wait until they dried.

He was sorry that they would not let him accompany his wet clothing aft
where the engines were, but he was relieved to find that he was
evidently not going to be thrown back into the ocean.

CHAPTER XXI

HE IS MADE A PRISONER AND MAKES A NEW FRIEND

It was just another German mistake in diplomacy or strategy or
browbeatery, or whatever you may call it. Tom had been rescued for the
information which he might give, and he gave none. It was not that he
was so clever, either. A fellow like Frenchy could have squeezed a whole
lot out of him without his realizing it, but Captain von
Something-or-other didn't know how to do it. And having failed, perhaps
it was to his credit that he did not have Tom thrown back into the
ocean.

Tom would have liked to know whether the boat was still awash or
completely submerged. Above all, he was anxious to know what they
intended to do with him. The fact that the boat did not pitch or roll at
all made hi