phone.

Again Captain Kennor's oarsmen gave way, their skipper heading for the
submarine.

"That will do. Cease rowing," commanded the German officer. "What ship is
that yonder?"

"Der Danish freighter, 'Rigsdak,'" replied Captain Kennor.

"And its master?"

"Dat iss me."

"Come aboard."

At the order Dave, who had quietly loosened his belt and holster
containing his automatic revolver, quickly dropped them overboard on the
side farthest from the German craft.

There was sufficient sea running to make the task of getting close
alongside a difficult one. A German sailor reached out to catch Kennor's
arm and aid him aboard the submarine.

"And your instruments and papers," ordered the German officer, sharply.

"I did not dem with me bring," replied Kennor.

"Perhaps that will be so much the worse for you," was the scowling reply.
"We want the papers, and we have need, especially, of ship's
instruments."

The German eyed Dave Darrin curiously. The American officer's uniform was
concealed under his sou'-wester, rubber coat and boots, but after a
moment's inspection, the German said curtly:

"You, too, will come aboard."

As refusal would have been absurd under the circumstances Darrin promptly
obeyed. Instantly the German officer snatched a fold of Darrin's rubber
coat, pulling it aside and thus revealing a glimpse of the uniform
beneath.

"Take off that rubber coat!" the Hun ordered, brusquely.

Flushing slightly, Dave obeyed, his uniform now being fully revealed.

"Ha!" snarled the Hun. "I suspected something of the sort. You two will
go down through the manhole. And this man and woman are passengers? They
will come aboard."

Captain Kennor led the way below, Mr. and Mrs. Launce following. Dave, as
he reached the manhole, turned to see the "Rigsdak" vanish beneath the
waters.

Then Dave Darrin stepped inside the conning tower and began to descend
the ladder--a German prisoner at last!

CHAPTER IX

THREATS TO A PRISONER

AS for the seamen in the boat, the officer, after a scowling stare in
their direction, ordered them also on board, where he had them lined up
forward.

"Take off those life-belts," he ordered, still in English, and a seaman
who understood interpreted to his fellow-Danes.

Off came the life-belts, which were dropped to the deck. German sailors
then kicked them all overboard.

Now the submarine began to move slowly. A shot was fired from the forward
gun into the li