that stalked the seas. In the main they were money-spending,
time-dragging charges against the resources of a harassed, bewildered
government, claiming protection in return for arrogance.

Far to the south, off the Falkland Islands, at the bottom of the sea,
lay the battered hulls of what ware supposed to be the last of the
German fighting-ships in South Atlantic waters. Report had it, however,
that several well-armed cruisers had either escaped the hurricane of
shells from the British warships, or had been detached from the squadron
before the encounter took place. In any event, no vessel left a South
American port without maintaining a sharp lookout for prowling survivors
of the vanquished fleet, and no passenger went aboard who did not
experience the thrill of a hazardous undertaking. The ever-present and
ever-ready individual with official information from sources that could
not be questioned, travelled with remarkable regularity on each and
every craft that ventured out upon the Hun-infested waters. In the
smoke-room the invariable word went round that raiders were sinking
everything in sight. Every ship that sailed had on board at least one
individual who claimed to have been chased on a former voyage by a
blockade-breaker,--(according to the most reliable reports, the Germans
were slipping warships through the vaunted British net with the most
astounding ease and frequency,)--and there was no one with the hardihood
or desire to question his veracity; indeed, it was something of a joy
to believe him, for was he not a living and potential document to prove
that the merchant marine could outwit, outrace and outshoot the German
pirates?

The Doraine was barely twenty-four hours out from port and ploughing
along steadily through a choppy sea when Mr. Mott, the First Officer,
reported to Captain Trigger that a stowaway had been found on board.

"German?" inquired Captain Trigger tersely.

"No, sir. At least, he doesn't look it and, what's more, he doesn't act
it. Claims to be American born and bred."

"That's what a great many Germans are claiming these days, Mr. Mott. We
can't take any chances, you know. Where was he found?"

Mr. Mott cleared his throat. "Ahem! He wasn't what you might call found,
sir. As a matter of fact, he applied in person to the Chief Engineer
about half an hour ago and asked for a job. He said he was perfectly
willing to work out his passage home. Mr. Gray had him conducted to me,
sir,--r