urselves, is neutral, but
unfortunately has gotten into rather compromising situations."

"Mackinder?" repeated the officer, wonderingly.

"Yes, sir," continued Ned. "He rescued us from our disabled submarine. He
is now aboard his vessel with a broken leg."

"We had him brought aboard this vessel, and find that his leg is really
broken," explained the officer. "But," he continued, "you have not quite
explained your presence on a submarine."

"That is easy--" began Ned. He was interrupted by a sign from the
officer.

"Just a moment," the other said. "We will have Mackinder in here, and
perhaps he can explain a little of the mystery himself."

At a command from the man two orderlies approached. In a few moments the
boys observed four sailors bearing a mattress upon which lay their late
host.

At the same moment a group approached from the after part of the cabin.
Glancing from one group to the other, the boys rose to their feet with
exclamations of surprise.

"Well, Great Frozen Hot Boxes!" cried Jimmie. "How did you get here,
Mackinder?"

A man from the small group behind the officer stepped forward, smiling.

"I was picked up by the fishing boat you probably saw when I swam away
from the submarine you captured. They transferred me to this craft. We
have since been looking for you."

"Well, I'm glad to see you, anyway," returned the lad. "But you couldn't
prevent our leaving Holland, even if you did try good and hard. Have you
found that package yet?"

The smile quickly faded from the face of the other.

"No, I haven't," he answered in a low voice. "I find that you boys have
gotten me into a lot of trouble, too."

"Trouble?" puzzled Ned. "How have we done that?"

"By secreting that package," explained Mackinder. "You see, I was
detailed to duty on the Holland frontier. When I saw that package, and
knew that you had recently come from the German lines, I assumed, of
course, that it contained information for the German submarine that has
been causing so much havoc amongst the English shipping. Without waiting
for orders, I tried to follow you and gain possession of the object. Now
it seems I am disobeying regulations by absenting myself from my post of
duty without leave. Further, I was seen aboard or coming from a German
vessel. Hence circumstances look bad for me. I'm due for a court martial
as soon as we land at Margate, which must be close aboard by now."

All were startled to hear a groan escape th