ing
officer."

Darrin's first impulse was to decline, unless his companions were
included. He changed his mind, however, for he had an intense desire to
find out, if possible, in what waters the craft now was. So he rose,
bowing to his table companions, and followed von Schellen to the conning
tower ladder. Here he passed Herr Ober-Lieutenant and bowed stiffly.

"I am trusting you on deck," said the latter, with a frown. "It is a
courtesy. Do not abuse it by any untoward conduct."

Then Dave followed his conductor up into the tower, von Schellen all the
while keeping sharp lookout to see that Darrin did not attempt to do any
damage to the levers on the indicator board.

Von Schellen, preceding him to the deck, turned to say, as Darrin reached
the platform:

"Observe. Your desperate trick did not harm us for long. You will note
that the periscope is again lowered. In fact, a new one has been put in
its place. We have tested the new periscope and its bearings, and have
found that they work perfectly. Your treachery, with which you repaid the
commanding officer's courtesy, did not avail you much."

Darrin did not reply. Instead, he turned to survey the night on all
sides. Overhead were heavy clouds, obscuring the light of the moon,
which, in its present phase, would have furnished considerable light over
the waters. There was a fine mist in the air, but the sixth sense of the
sailor warned Dave not to expect rain tonight.

Despite the cloudiness, however, one could see for a considerable
distance over the slightly rolling sea. There was no other craft in
sight.

"You do not see much hope," mocked von Schellen. "We have chosen a quiet
part of the sea, as you will notice."

"You usually try to do that, don't you?" Dave asked, in a tone of
ordinary curiosity.

"You must know," laughed the junior officer. "You have spent months
pursuing our submarines."

"And have had some success in catching them," Dave answered.

Von Schellen's laugh was bitter as he rejoined:

"Ah! You are a good boaster! But do not go too far, Herr Darrin! Do not
make me wish to strike you!"

"I wouldn't care how soon you struck me," Darrin smiled, "provided I
could be assured of a fair field and no favor in defending myself. But I
think we are going too far in our talk, are we not, when one considers
the consideration that a captor must show to a prisoner of war. As a
gentleman you cannot strike me; nor, as a gentleman, can I seek to
pr