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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Dave Darrin on Mediterranean Service, by
+H. Irving Hancock
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Dave Darrin on Mediterranean Service
+       or, With Dan Dalzell on European Duty
+
+Author: H. Irving Hancock
+
+Release Date: August 29, 2007 [EBook #22431]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVE DARRIN ON MEDITERRANEAN ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Emmy and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "Dave caught at the knife-wrist."
+
+_Frontispiece_]
+
+
+
+
+
+Dave Darrin on Mediterranean Service
+
+        OR
+
+        With Dan Dalzell on European Duty
+
+        By
+
+        H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+ Author of "Dave Darrin at Vera Cruz," "Dave Darrin's
+   South American Cruise," The West Point Series,
+      The Annapolis Series, The Boys of the
+           Army Series, Etc., etc.
+
+        Illustrated
+
+        P H I L A D E L P H I A
+        HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY
+
+
+
+
+        COPYRIGHT, 1919, BY
+        HOWARD E. ALTEMUS
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+                                                      PAGE
+
+
+  CHAPTER I--GREEN HAT, THE TROUBLE-STARTER               11
+
+     Dave Darrin and Dan Dalzell, while ashore at
+     Gibraltar, have an exciting experience with a spy
+     and stir up a deep mystery.
+
+
+  CHAPTER II--DAN'S THIRTY-THREE-DOLLAR GUESS             27
+
+     Admiral Timworth solves the mystery for the ensigns
+     and amazes them very much.
+
+
+  CHAPTER III--THE STARTLER AT MONTE CARLO                43
+
+     Danny turns a trick on a brother officer. Ashore at
+     Monte Carlo the young ensigns find the makings of
+     future trouble.
+
+
+  CHAPTER IV--MR. GREEN HAT'S NEW ROLE                    55
+
+     Dave loses a human trail and saves a human life.
+     Then the plot begins to thicken.
+
+
+  CHAPTER V--DANNY GRIN FIGHTS A SMILE                    70
+
+     Mr. Green Hat sets a trap at the gambling resort,
+     into which Ensign Dalzell smilingly walks.
+
+
+  CHAPTER VI--DAVE RUNS INTO A REAL THRILL                78
+
+     A desperate plot to involve his country heard by
+     Dave Darrin, who acts swiftly on the information he
+     has obtained.
+
+
+  CHAPTER VII--THE ADMIRAL UNLOADS HIS MIND               87
+
+     Called before the Admiral, the young officers make
+     their report. The former sends a wireless to
+     Washington, later summoning the ensigns to his
+     quarters for secret orders.
+
+
+  CHAPTER VIII--ON LIVELY SPECIAL DUTY                    96
+
+     A delicate international situation is explained to
+     Dave and Danny, who are then ordered ashore at
+     Naples on a special and perilous mission.
+
+
+  CHAPTER IX--M. DALNY PLANS A TRAGEDY                   102
+
+     Darrin meets one of the men he is looking for. As a
+     result of that meeting he and Dan are sentenced to
+     death.
+
+
+  CHAPTER X--TREACHERY HAS THE FLOOR                     116
+
+     Enticed away for a drive, the Naval officers find
+     themselves in a disreputable section of Naples and
+     on the threshold of a tragedy.
+
+
+  CHAPTER XI--HEMMED IN BY THE BRAVOS                    124
+
+     Dave and Dan are attacked by a mob of Sicilian
+     bravos and fight a desperate battle to save their
+     own lives.
+
+
+  CHAPTER XII--EVIL EYES ON SAILORMAN RUNKLE             132
+
+     The young officers now discover the real reason for
+     the attempt on their lives, but, though they do not
+     know it, fresh perils await them.
+
+
+  CHAPTER XIII--ORDERS CHANGE IN A MINUTE                138
+
+     Able Seaman Runkle, bearing an important
+     communication from Darrin to the Captain of the
+     U. S. S. "Hudson," gets into serious difficulties.
+
+
+  CHAPTER XIV--DAN HAS VERY "COLD FEET"         151
+
+     Beset by spies, the two young officers set out on a
+     long journey after an exciting start, later finding
+     that they have been guilty of a grave oversight.
+
+
+  CHAPTER XV--AT THE AMERICAN EMBASSY                    161
+
+     Dave and Danny arrive in Paris, where they are the
+     guests of the American Ambassador. Darrin trails an
+     international plotter and makes an important
+     discovery.
+
+
+  CHAPTER XVI--"SEEING" THE PARIS APACHES                179
+
+     The young ensign, after picking up a valuable clew,
+     is attacked by savage Paris Apaches, who, angered by
+     his defense, determine to take his life.
+
+
+  CHAPTER XVII--DAVE'S GUESS AT THE BIG PLOT             189
+
+     The details of a plan to involve the United States
+     in war with England are unfolded to his Admiral by
+     Ensign Dave.
+
+
+  CHAPTER XVIII--SURIGNY'S NEXT MOVE                     198
+
+     English and American officers join hands and one
+     gets a remarkable message from an international
+     plotter as the trail grows hot.
+
+
+  CHAPTER XIX--TRUTH, OR FRENCH ROMANCE                  207
+
+     Dave meets an acquaintance and listens to an
+     astounding confession.
+
+
+  CHAPTER XX--THE ALLIES CLEAR FOR ACTION                213
+
+     "A submarine will sink the British battleship
+     to-night," is the startling information imparted by
+     Dave to his companions.
+
+
+  CHAPTER XXI--MAKING STERN WORK OF IT                   223
+
+     The young American Naval officer in command of a
+     boarding party on the plotter's yacht, is neatly
+     trapped.
+
+
+  CHAPTER XXII--AFTER THE PEST OF THE SEAS               233
+
+     Ensign Darrin and his crew on the Navy launch make
+     an exciting discovery after accomplishing a
+     brilliant capture.
+
+
+  CHAPTER XXIII--THE PUZZLE OF THE DEEP                  240
+
+     While engaged in a thrilling chase after an undersea
+     boat the launch's company find the tables
+     unexpectedly turned on them.
+
+
+  CHAPTER XXIV--CONCLUSION                               249
+
+     The pursuit comes to a stirring finish, with Able
+     Seaman Runkle's reputation saved and Ensign Darrin
+     highly honored.
+
+
+
+
+
+DAVE DARRIN
+
+ON MEDITERRANEAN SERVICE
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+GREEN HAT, THE TROUBLE-STARTER
+
+
+"Dan," whispered Dave Darrin, Ensign, United States Navy, to his chum
+and brother officer, "do you see that fellow with the green Alpine hat
+and the green vest?"
+
+"Yes," nodded Dan Dalzell.
+
+"Watch him."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"He's a powerful brute, and it looks as though he's spoiling for a
+fight."
+
+"You are not going to oblige him, are you?" asked Dalzell in a
+whisper, betraying surprise.
+
+"Nothing like it," Darrin responded disgustedly. "Danny Grin, don't
+you credit me with more sense than that? Do you imagine I'd engage in
+a fight in a place like this?"
+
+"Then why are you interested in what the fellow might do?" demanded
+Ensign Dan.
+
+"Because I think there is going to be a lively time here. That fellow
+under the Alpine hat is equal to at least four of these spindling
+Spanish waiters. There is going to be trouble within four minutes, or
+I'm a poor guesser."
+
+"Just let Mr. Green Hat start something," chuckled Ensign Dalzell in
+an undertone. "There are plenty of stalwart British soldiers here, and
+'Tommy Atkins' never has been known to be averse to a good fair fight.
+The soldiers will wipe up the floor with him. Then there is the
+provost guard, patrolling the streets of Gibraltar. If Mr. Green Hat
+grows too noisy the provost guard will gather him in."
+
+"And might also gather us in, if the provost officer thought us
+intelligent witnesses," muttered Darrin.
+
+"That would be all right, too," grinned Dan. "There is bound to be a
+British army officer in command of the provost guard. As soon as we
+handed him cards showing us to be American naval officers he'd raise
+his cap to us, and that would be the end of it."
+
+"I don't like to be present at rows in a place of this kind," Ensign
+Darrin insisted.
+
+"Then we'd better be going," proposed Ensign Dalzell.
+
+The place was Gibraltar, and the time nine o'clock in the evening. The
+two friends were seated well back in one of the several Spanish
+vaudeville theatres that flourish more or less in the city on the
+Great Rock, even in such times as this period of the great European
+War.
+
+The theatre was not a low place, or it would not have been permitted
+to exist in Gibraltar, which, even in peace times, is under the
+strictest military rule, made much more strict at the beginning of the
+great war. The performance was an ordinary one and rather dull. At the
+moment three Spanish women occupied the stage, going rather hopelessly
+through the steps of an aimless dance, while three musicians ground
+out the music for the dancers. The next number, as announced on a card
+that hung at one side of the stage, was to be a pantomime.
+
+One particularly unpleasant feature only was to be noted in the place.
+Wines and liquors were served to those who chose to order them,
+Spanish waiters passing up and down the aisles in search of custom.
+
+Mr. Green Hat, to the knowledge of Ensigns Darrin and Dalzell, had
+been a much too frequent customer. He was now arguing with two waiters
+about an alleged mistake in the changing of the money he had handed
+one of them. From angry remonstrance Mr. Green Hat was now resorting
+to abusive language.
+
+"I'd like to implant a wallop under that rowdy's chin," muttered Dan
+Dalzell, as he started to rise.
+
+"Don't try it," warned Ensign Dave, as he, too, rose.
+
+Just then the lightning struck; the storm broke.
+
+With an angry bellow, Mr. Green Hat leaped to his feet, knocking down
+one of the waiters. Four others rushed to the spot. The five promptly
+assailed Mr. Green Hat, and were swiftly reinforced by the one who had
+been floored.
+
+But the stalwart, active brawler proved to be too much for the
+combined force of the waiters. As if they had been so many reeds, Mr.
+Green Hat brushed them aside with his fists.
+
+"Grab the bloomin' rotter and throw 'im h'out!" bellowed a "Tommy
+Atkins," as the British soldier is collectively known.
+
+A new note, in a decidedly American tone of protest, rose above the
+uproar.
+
+"How dare you? What do you mean, fellow?" demanded a young man in a
+gray traveling suit, glaring up from the floor, to which he, an
+unoffending occupant of an aisle seat, had suddenly been hurled.
+
+It was too much for Dan Dalzell, who promptly attempted to seize Mr.
+Green Hat as that individual, with the momentum of a steam roller,
+rushed up the aisle.
+
+Dalzell reached out a hand to grip Mr. Green Hat by the collar. All
+too promptly a heavy fist smote Dan in the chest, knocking him back
+into the arms of Dave Darrin. Dave himself could not act quickly
+enough to avenge the blow that had been dealt his chum, because Dan's
+body blocked the way.
+
+Four or five British soldiers at the rear of the little theatre tried
+to intercept Mr. Green Hat as he dashed up the aisle. Three of the
+"Messrs. Atkins" went to the floor, under the seats, while the others
+were brushed aside, and Mr. Green Hat reached the street.
+
+"Stop that thief!" roared the young man in the gray suit. "He has
+robbed me!"
+
+By this time Dalzell was again on his feet and out in the aisle. He
+sprinted for the street, followed closely by Dave Darrin. The young
+man in the gray suit, his face pallid, plunged after the young naval
+officers.
+
+"You're an American, aren't you?" called Dave, over his shoulder.
+
+"Yes," answered he of the gray suit, "and in official life at
+Washington, too. That scoundrel has robbed me of something of value to
+the United States government."
+
+That was enough for Darrin and Dalzell. Though the charge might prove
+to be false, it was enough to cancel Dave's scruples against
+fighting.
+
+Out into the street ahead of them ran a waiter, who had taken no part
+in the scrimmage, waving his arms and shouting:
+
+"_Esta direccion!_" ("This way!")
+
+"_Sigue andando!_" ("Keep right on!") roared Danny Grin, darting down
+the street at a hard pace.
+
+But a moment later both naval officers, followed by the young man in
+gray and the waiter, came to a halt, for, directly ahead of them, on
+the well-lighted street, suddenly appeared a patrol detachment of the
+British provost guard.
+
+"Did you stop the fellow who ran this way, sir?" hailed Ensign Darrin,
+as he recognized the uniform of the British infantry officer in
+command of the detachment.
+
+"We didn't see any man running this way," replied the British
+lieutenant, smartly returning the salute that Ensign Darrin had given
+him.
+
+"Didn't _see_ any fellow running?" repeated three Americans, in tones
+of bewilderment.
+
+"We were chasing a thief, sir," Darrin continued, "and this waiter
+told us that the fugitive ran this way."
+
+"I--I thought he did," stammered the waiter in Spanish, though it was
+now plain that he understood English.
+
+In deep disgust and with dawning suspicion, Dave Darrin glared at the
+waiter until that fellow changed color and trembled slightly. Dave
+was now certain that the waiter, probably by previous arrangement, had
+shielded the escape of Mr. Green Hat.
+
+Turning to the English officer, Dave quickly recounted what had
+happened. At the same time he introduced himself and Dan as American
+naval officers, and both tendered their cards.
+
+"And you, sir? Who are you, and what did you lose?" inquired the
+British officer, turning to the young man in the gray suit.
+
+"May I answer that question to an officer of my own country?" appealed
+the young man in the gray suit.
+
+"Yes," assented the British officer, after keenly regarding the
+stranger who claimed to have been robbed.
+
+"Will you step a few yards down the street with me?" urged the unknown
+American, addressing Dave.
+
+"Certainly," Darrin nodded, for he saw insistent appeal in the
+stranger's gaze.
+
+"Mr. Darrin," began the stranger, using the name he had heard Dave
+announce in the introductions to the Britisher, "do you really belong
+to the American Navy?"
+
+"I do, indeed," Darrin answered. "I am attached to the battleship
+'Hudson,' now lying in this harbor."
+
+"Then I will introduce myself," continued the young man in the gray
+suit. "My name is George Cushing. Do you recognize the meaning of
+this?"
+
+"This" proved to be a small gold badge, revealed by Cushing as he
+turned back the lapel of his coat. It was a badge worn by men
+belonging to a special branch of the secret service of the American
+Department of State. The members of this special service are usually
+found, if found at all, on duty in foreign countries.
+
+"I know the badge, Mr. Cushing," nodded Dave Darrin. "Now, what have
+you to tell me?"
+
+"That big man with the green hat must have started that fight with the
+waiters in the theatre to cover his intended attack on me," Cushing
+replied. "At the moment of knocking me down, he snatched from my coat
+pocket and made off with a most important document."
+
+"Then you almost deserved to lose it, sir," replied Darrin sternly,
+"as a punishment for wasting your time in such a place as that
+theatre."
+
+"I must see the American admiral as soon as possible," urged Cushing,
+ignoring Darrin's reproof. "But first of all, I must ask you to pass
+me safely by that provost guard, or I might be detained at a time when
+I cannot afford to lose a single instant. You will vouch for me,
+won't you, Mr. Darrin? Here are my formal credentials," continued
+Cushing, producing and unfolding a wallet that contained properly
+sealed and signed credentials from the American Department of State.
+
+"The paper that was stolen from you did not in any way relate to the
+defenses and fortifications here at Gibraltar, did it?" Dave asked.
+
+"Not in the least," Cushing replied promptly.
+
+"You give me your word of honor for that?" Dave asked bluntly.
+
+"Do you believe I'd waste my time on such rubbish as that?" demanded
+Cushing, scornfully. "Why, every civilized government on earth
+possesses accurate plans of the fortifications at Gibraltar! I give
+you my word of honor, Mr. Darrin, that the paper stolen from me did
+not in any way relate to the Gibraltar fortifications."
+
+"Then I'll do my best to get you by the provost guard," Ensign Darrin
+promised, turning to lead the way back.
+
+"Sir," Dave announced to Lieutenant Abercrombie, commanding the
+provost guard detachment, "I beg to report, on what I regard as the
+best of authority, that there is no reason why my countryman, Mr.
+Cushing, should be detained by you."
+
+"Then that of which he claims to have been robbed is nothing that
+could officially interest me?" pressed the British officer.
+
+"I am certain that the matter could not interest a British officer,
+except in his desire to see a thief caught," Ensign Darrin vouched.
+
+"That is all, then," replied Lieutenant Abercrombie. "Gentlemen, you
+are at liberty to proceed on your way."
+
+In the meantime the Spanish waiter had slipped back to the theatre.
+
+Dave and Dan saluted, the Englishman doing the same. Then Lieutenant
+Abercrombie gave each of these brothers in arms a hearty handclasp.
+The men of the provost guard parted to allow the three Americans to
+pass on their way.
+
+"And now where do you wish to go, Mr. Cushing?" Dave inquired, after
+they had passed the British provost guard.
+
+"I suppose you expect me to search for the thief," rejoined the man
+from the State Department. "But that would now be worse than a waste
+of time. Gibraltar, quaint Moorish city that it is, is so full of
+holes in the wall that it would be impossible to find the thief, for
+he will not venture out again to-night. The best thing I can do will
+be to go straight to the American admiral, and you gentlemen, I
+imagine, can take me there."
+
+"A launch will put off from the mole for the flagship at ten
+o'clock," Dave informed him. "We may as well go down to the mole and
+wait."
+
+Twice, on the way, after leaving the more crowded parts of the city
+behind, the three were challenged by English sentries invisible in the
+darkness.
+
+"Who goes there?" came the sentry's hail in each instance.
+
+"Officers from the American flagship," Darrin answered for the party.
+
+"Pass on, gentlemen," came the response out of the darkness.
+
+At all times strict watch over all comers outside the British army
+service is kept at Gibraltar, and after dark this vigilance is
+doubled.
+
+"On a moonless night like this, one would imagine that Gibraltar, save
+for the few blocks of 'city,' held few human beings," murmured Dan, as
+the three continued on at a quiet walk toward the water front. "One
+gets the impression that there are but a few sentries, sprinkled here
+and there, yet we know there are thousands of British soldiers
+scattered over this rock."
+
+"Hardly scattered," smiled Dave Darrin. "Except for the guard, men and
+officers are alike in barracks, and many of the barracks are at rather
+long distances from the fortifications."
+
+Nor are the fortifications to be found along the water front. Back on
+the great hill of rock are gun embrasures, often cut into the face of
+the rock itself. Back of the embrasures are galleries cut through the
+stone, and here, in time of siege, the soldiers would stand behind the
+huge guns.
+
+Gibraltar's harbor is small, though large enough to hold a great
+fleet. In the days when cannon had shorter range than now, a British
+fleet might have hidden in the harbor and been secure against all the
+fleets of the world, for the guns of the huge fortress could have sunk
+the combined navies of the world, had they attempted to enter the
+harbor. In these modern days Gibraltar is not so secure, for the
+heights of Algeciras, in Spain, are only about seven miles away. If
+Spain were at war with Great Britain, or if any other power took the
+heights of Algeciras from Spain, guns could be mounted on those
+heights that would dominate the harbor of Gibraltar. None the less, as
+long as war exists and the huge stone height of Gibraltar remains, the
+impression of strong military force will abide with the rock.
+
+Down at the mole a British sentry stopped the trio. Near him stood a
+corporal and three other soldiers.
+
+"American officers and a friend," replied Ensign Darrin, when halted
+by this sentry. Then the trio advanced when ordered. Lieutenant
+Totten, from the 'Hudson,' stepped forward, peered at Darrin and
+Dalzell, and said to the corporal:
+
+"I recognize these gentlemen as officers of ours."
+
+"And the friend?" inquired the corporal.
+
+"The friend is an American citizen who has business with Admiral
+Timworth," Dave stated.
+
+"Then it is all right," Lieutenant Totten assured the corporal.
+
+Whereupon the British corporal permitted Cushing to step out on the
+mole with his companions, Darrin and Dalzell.
+
+"Which is the flagship launch?" asked Darrin.
+
+"The rearmost," answered Lieutenant Totten. "Ours is the only launch
+here. The two other launches belong to the warships of other powers."
+
+Cushing, while this brief conversation was going on, had walked
+rapidly along the mole until he reached the farthest launch.
+
+"I want you!" he shouted, bending over suddenly.
+
+He had found and seized by the coat collar the man with the green hat.
+
+Dave and Dan rushed to the spot, hardly knowing what they could do, as
+they did not want to see the representative of the American State
+Department lack for backing.
+
+"Pull Cushing away from that fellow," ordered Totten.
+
+"Is that an official order?" Dave flashed back, in a whisper.
+
+"It is," nodded Totten, and faded back into the blackness of the
+night.
+
+Dave bounded forward. He saw that the launch was one belonging to some
+liner or merchant ship in the harbor. Three or four men belonging in
+that launch had leaped to the rescue of Mr. Green Hat. Dave, with one
+tug, tore Cushing away.
+
+Mr. Green Hat fell back in the launch. Two sailors belonging to that
+craft cast off the lines at bow and stern, and the launch glided out
+into the harbor.
+
+"Why didn't you help me, instead of putting the double cross on me?"
+Cushing demanded, angrily.
+
+"I had my reasons," Ensign Darrin replied, briefly.
+
+"They must have been good ones," muttered Cushing.
+
+"All aboard for the flagship!" announced Lieutenant Totten, in a quiet
+tone.
+
+"Come along, if you're going out with us," Darrin urged Cushing.
+
+The passengers for the flagship launch were speedily aboard. Other
+officers were there who had been ashore for the evening.
+
+As the launch was cast off she glided almost noiselessly across the
+smooth water of the harbor, followed closely by the shifting rays of a
+British searchlight on shore. Ever since the great European war had
+started searchlights stationed on shore had followed the movements of
+every craft in the harbor at night. Beyond, the flagship's few lights
+glowed brightly. In a few minutes the party was alongside.
+
+Dave and Dan, after saluting the officer of the deck, and reporting
+their presence on board, went at once to Dave's quarters.
+
+"There was a good deal of a mix-up, somewhere," Dan announced, at
+once. "Why should Totten order you to drag Cushing away from Mr. Green
+Hat, when that rascal had robbed Cushing of valuable government
+papers?"
+
+"It's too big a puzzle for me," Ensign Darrin admitted, promptly. "But
+Lieutenant Totten is my superior officer, and the responsibility
+belongs to him."
+
+For a few minutes the two chums chatted. Dalzell was about to say good
+night and go to his own quarters, when an orderly rapped at the door,
+then entered, saluting.
+
+"The admiral's compliments, gentlemen," said the messenger. "The
+admiral wishes to see Ensigns Darrin and Dalzell at once."
+
+"Our compliments, and we will report at once," Dave answered. Both
+young officers were now in uniform, for Dan had left his in Dave's
+quarters before going ashore, and the chums had changed their clothes
+while chatting. It now remained only for Dave to reach for his sword
+and fasten it on, then draw on white gloves, while Dalzell went to his
+quarters, next door, and did the same.
+
+"What can be in the wind?" whispered Dan. "This is the first time that
+Admiral Timworth has ever expressed any desire to see us. Can it be
+that we bungled in some way with the Cushing business?"
+
+"I'm not going to waste any time in guessing," replied Ensign Darrin,
+as they stepped briskly along, "when I'm going to have the answer
+presented to me so soon."
+
+Then they halted before the entrance to the admiral's quarters, to
+learn if it would be agreeable for the admiral to receive them at
+once.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+DAN'S THIRTY-THREE-DOLLAR GUESS
+
+
+As the two young officers entered the admiral's quarters the curtains
+were closed behind them by the marine orderly.
+
+Admiral Timworth was seated at his desk. Beside him was Captain Allen,
+commanding officer of the battleship "Hudson," flagship of the
+Mediterranean Squadron.
+
+Lieutenant Totten and Cushing were also present.
+
+"Good evening, gentlemen," was Admiral Timworth's greeting, after
+salutes had been exchanged. "Accidentally, you became spectators this
+evening, at a little drama connected with both the diplomatic and the
+secret service of your country."
+
+The admiral paused, but both young officers remained respectfully at
+attention, making no response, as none was needed.
+
+"You are aware," continued the admiral, "that Mr. Cushing was knocked
+down and robbed of an important government paper. Now, it happens that
+this paper was the key to a code employed by the State and Navy
+Departments in communicating with naval commanders abroad."
+
+This time Dave actually started. The loss of such a code would be
+vitally important. The State and Navy Departments almost invariably
+communicate with naval commanders by means of a secret code, which can
+be read only by commanders possessing the key. Thus, when cablegrams
+are sent from stations in foreign countries, their import can be
+understood only by the officers to whom the communications are
+addressed.
+
+"That strikes you as a most serious loss, does it not?" asked Admiral
+Timworth, smiling.
+
+"Why, yes, sir; so it would seem," Dave answered, bowing.
+
+"The code that was stolen to-night," laughed the admiral, "will be of
+but little value to the government into whose hands it may fall. The
+code in question was one that was used in the year 1880, and has not
+been employed since. Nor is it likely ever to be employed again."
+
+Captain Allen joined in the admiral's laugh.
+
+"We had every reason," continued the admiral, "to believe that an
+attempt would be made to steal that code ere Mr. Cushing delivered it
+to me. In fact, our government allowed it to be rather widely known
+that Mr. Cushing had left Washington to turn over to me a code. So, of
+course, Mr. Cushing has been followed. As a matter of fact, the code
+that we have been using for the last six months has not been changed.
+I was delighted when I learned that Cushing had been assaulted and
+robbed. Mr. Cushing himself took the loss seriously, for he did not
+know, until he came aboard a few moments ago, that the United States
+government had hoped he _would_ be robbed. Lieutenant Totten was sent
+ashore, ostensibly to look after the launch, but in reality, to learn,
+if possible, whether Cushing's assailant put off in the launch of
+another power, and if so, which power. Ensigns Darrin and Dalzell, you
+noted, did you not, the nationality of the launch in which Mr.
+Cushing's assailant escaped?"
+
+"I did not, sir," Dave replied. "It was not a naval launch, and
+therefore did not belong to any ships belonging to the Entente Allies'
+naval vessels in port here."
+
+"Then, gentlemen," continued Admiral Timworth, his voice in tones of
+formal command, "you will not at any time mention this matter to any
+one unless so directed by me. I have had just one object in sending
+for you and giving you this order. For some time our Government has
+known that secret efforts are being made to discredit us with the
+allied powers of Europe. I feel rather certain that this fleet, while
+in the Mediterranean, will be closely watched by plotters serving one
+of the Central European powers, or else acting on their own account in
+the hope of being able to succeed and then claim reward from that
+government. Keep your eyes open. You may meet other spies and have
+reason to suspect them to be such. Do not be fooled by the apparent
+nationality of any man's name. A spy uses many names in his course
+around the world. Few international spies ever use their own names.
+The man in the green hat, who assaulted Mr. Cushing to-night, is one
+of the cleverest of his kind, and perhaps the most able with whom we
+shall have to contend. The fellow's name is supposed to be Emil
+Gortchky. At one time or another he has served as spy for nearly every
+government in Europe. He is a daring, dangerous, and wholly
+unscrupulous fellow. Ensigns Darrin and Dalzell, I sent for you in
+order to tell you these things, and to add that if, during this
+cruise, you run across the fellow at any point, you are to report the
+fact to me promptly. Of course you will understand that the seal of
+official secrecy attaches to all that I have said. That is all,
+gentlemen. Good evening."
+
+Saluting, Ensigns Darrin and Dalzell promptly withdrew. They were
+still a good deal puzzled.
+
+"I'll come to your quarters in a minute, if I may," murmured Danny
+Grin, as he reached the door of his own cabin.
+
+"I want you to come," Dave answered dryly.
+
+So, in another minute, Dan Dalzell, minus sword and gloves, bobbed
+into Dave's room.
+
+"Now, what do you make out of all we have heard and seen?" breathed
+Dalzell tensely.
+
+"Just what the admiral told us," answered Darrin.
+
+"Nothing more?" pressed Dan.
+
+Dave was thoughtful for a few moments before he replied:
+
+"Danny, boy, we have our orders from the commander of the fleet. If we
+encounter Mr. Green Hat anywhere in the future, we are to report the
+fact. That is the extent of our instructions, and I think we shall do
+very well not to think too much about the matter, but to be ready, at
+all times, to follow our orders."
+
+"I was in hope that you could evolve something more romantic than
+that," returned Dalzell disappointedly.
+
+"It is very likely," went on Dave judicially, "that we have already
+had as large a hand in the affair as we are going to have. I doubt if
+we shall hear anything more of Mr. Green Hat; even if we hear of his
+further deeds, we are not likely to have any personal part in them."
+
+"I'm disappointed," Dan admitted, rising. "I'm going to bed now, for I
+have to be up at half-past three, to turn out on watch at eight
+bells. You, lucky dog, have no watch to stand until after breakfast.
+Good night, Dave!"
+
+"Good night; and don't dream of Mr. Green Hat," smiled Darrin. "You'll
+never see him again."
+
+In that prediction Ensign Darrin was destined to find himself
+fearfully wide of the mark. Mr. Green Hat was not to be so easily
+dropped from the future calculations of the youngest naval officers on
+the "Hudson."
+
+None of our readers require any introduction to Dave Darrin and Dan
+Dalzell, ofttimes known as "Danny Grin." These two fast friends in the
+naval service were members of "Dick & Co.," a famous sextette of
+schoolboys in Gridley. Dick Prescott, Greg Holmes, Dave Darrin, Dan
+Dalzell, Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton first appeared in the pages of
+"THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS SERIES," in which volumes were described the
+early lives of these young American schoolboys.
+
+We found the six boys again in the pages of the "HIGH SCHOOL BOYS
+SERIES," in the volumes of which the athletic triumphs of Dick & Co.
+were vividly set forth. In the "HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' VACATION SERIES"
+were recounted their further adventures.
+
+At the conclusion of their high school careers the six chums separated
+to seek different fields of endeavor. Dick Prescott and Greg Holmes
+secured appointments as cadets at the United States Military Academy
+at West Point, as narrated in the "WEST POINT SERIES." Dave Darrin and
+Dan Dalzell were nominated as midshipmen to the United States Naval
+Academy at Annapolis, and all that befell them there is set forth in
+the "ANNAPOLIS SERIES." The great things that happened to Tom Reade
+and Harry Hazelton are told in the volumes of the "YOUNG ENGINEERS
+SERIES." Dick Prescott's and Greg Holmes' adventures in the Army,
+after graduation from West Point, are set forth in the volumes of the
+"BOYS OF THE ARMY SERIES."
+
+The "DAVE DARRIN SERIES" is devoted to the lives of Dave Darrin and
+Dan Dalzell as naval officers, after their graduation from the Naval
+Academy. We now find them serving as ensigns, this being the lowest
+rank among commissioned officers of the United States Navy.
+
+The first volume of this series, published under the title, "DAVE
+DARRIN AT VERA CRUZ," tells the story of Dave's and Dan's initial
+active service in the United States Navy. That our two young ensigns
+took an exciting part in the fighting there is known to all our
+readers.
+
+For some time after the taking of Vera Cruz by the United States
+forces and the arrival of Regular Army regiments, Dave and Dan
+continued to serve with constant credit aboard the "Long Island,"
+stationed at Vera Cruz. Then followed their detachment from the "Long
+Island," and their return to the United States. They were then ordered
+to duty with the Mediterranean Squadron, aboard the flagship "Hudson."
+We already know what befell them on their arrival at their first port
+of call, the British fortress of Gibraltar, and in the quaint old
+Moorish city of the same name, which stands between the fortress and
+the harbor.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Dan soon took his leave of his chum, going to his own quarters for a
+short sleep before going on duty at eight bells in the morning. Dave,
+having opportunity to sleep until shortly before breakfast, sat for
+some minutes pondering over his strange meeting with Mr. Green Hat,
+whom he now knew as Emil Gortchky, a notorious international spy.
+
+Still puzzling, Darrin turned out the light and dropped into his
+berth. Once there the habit of the service came strongly upon him. He
+was between the sheets to sleep, so, with a final sigh, he shut out
+thoughts of Mr. Green Hat, of the admiral's remarks, and of the whole
+train of events of the evening. Within a hundred and twenty seconds he
+was sound asleep. It was an orderly going the rounds in the early
+morning who spoke to Ensign Darrin and awakened him.
+
+"Is the ship under way?" asked Dave, rolling over and opening his
+eyes.
+
+"Aye, aye, sir," responded the orderly, who then wheeled and departed.
+
+Dave was quickly out of his berth, and dressed in time to join the
+gathering throng of the "Hudson's" officers in the ward-room, where
+every officer, except the captain, takes his meals.
+
+"Have you heard the port for which we're bound, Danny?" Darrin asked
+his chum.
+
+"Not a word," replied Dalzell, shaking his head.
+
+"Perhaps we shall find out at breakfast," commented Dave.
+
+A minute later the signal came for the officers to seat themselves.
+Then, after orders had been given to the attentive Filipino boys, who
+served as mess attendants, a buzz of conversation ran around the
+table.
+
+Soon the heavy, booming voice of Lieutenant Commander Metson was heard
+as he asked Commander Dawson, the executive officer:
+
+"Sir, are we privileged to ask our port of destination?"
+
+This is a question often put to the executive officer of a war vessel,
+for ninety-nine times out of a hundred he knows the answer. He _may_
+smile and reply:
+
+"I do not know."
+
+Sometimes the executive officer, who is the captain's confidential
+man, has good reasons for not divulging the destination of the ship.
+In that case his denial of knowledge is understood to be only a
+courteous statement that he does not deem it discreet to name the port
+of destination.
+
+But in this instance Commander Dawson smiled and replied:
+
+"I will not make any secret of our destination so far as I know it. We
+are bound for some port on the Riviera. It may be Nice, or perhaps
+Monte Carlo. I am informed that the admiral has not yet decided
+definitely. I shall be quite ready to tell you, Mr. Metson, as soon as
+I know."
+
+"Thank you, sir," courteously acknowledged the lieutenant commander.
+
+During this interval the buzz of conversation had died down. It soon
+began again.
+
+"The Riviera!" exclaimed Ensign Dalzell jubilantly, though in a low
+tone intended mainly for his chum's ear. "I have always wanted to see
+that busy little strip of beach."
+
+The Riviera, as will be seen by reference to a map of Southern Europe,
+is a narrow strip of land, between the mountains and the sea, running
+around the Gulf of Genoa. One of the most important watering places on
+this long strip of beach is Nice, on French soil, where multitudes of
+health and pleasure seekers flock annually. The mild, nearly tropical
+climate of this place in winter makes Nice one of the most attractive
+resorts along the Riviera. Only a few miles distant from Nice is the
+principality of Monte Carlo, an independent state under a prince who
+is absolute ruler of his tiny country. Monaco is but two and a quarter
+miles long, while its width varies from a hundred and sixty-five yards
+to eleven hundred yards. Yet this "toy country" is large enough to
+contain three towns of fair size. The most noted town, Monte Carlo,
+stands mainly on a cliff, and is the location of the most notorious
+gambling resort in the world, the "Casino."
+
+"I wonder," suggested one of the younger officers, in a rumbling
+voice, "if our Government feels that we officers have more money than
+we need, and so is sending us to a place where we can get rid of it by
+gambling. What do you say, Darrin?"
+
+"Monte Carlo is one of the noted spots of the world," Dave responded
+slowly, "and I shall be glad to see a place of which I have heard and
+read so much. But I shall not gamble at Monte Carlo. I can make better
+use of my money and of my character."
+
+"Bravo!" agreed Totten.
+
+"How long is that strip of beach, the Riviera?" asked one officer of
+Lieutenant Commander Wales, the navigating officer.
+
+"From Nice to Genoa, which is what is commonly understood as the real
+Riviera," replied the navigating officer; "the distance is one hundred
+and sixteen miles. But, beyond Genoa, on the other side, the beach
+continues for fifty-six miles to Spezia. On the strip from Genoa to
+Spezia the shore is so rocky that it has been found necessary to
+construct eighty-odd tunnels through the headlands for the railway
+that runs the whole length of the Riviera."
+
+Most of the talk, during that breakfast hour, was about the Riviera,
+and much of that had to do with Monte Carlo.
+
+"For years I've wanted very particularly to see that town of Monte
+Carlo," Danny Grin confessed.
+
+"Not to gamble, I hope," replied Dave.
+
+"Millions for sight-seeing, but not a cent for gambling," Dalzell
+paraphrased lightly.
+
+"Gentlemen," warned Mr. Wales, "don't be too certain that you'll see
+Monte Carlo on this cruise. Often the weather is too rough for a
+landing in that vicinity."
+
+"And in that case?" queried Lieutenant Totten.
+
+"In that case," replied Wales, "the usual rule is for the ship to go
+on to anchorage in the harbor at Genoa."
+
+"Any one know whether the barometer is talking about a storm?" Dalzell
+asked.
+
+"That's a foolish question," remarked Lieutenant Barnes grouchily.
+
+"Hello!" said Danny Grin, turning half around and eyeing the last
+speaker. "You here?"
+
+"As usual," nodded Barnes gruffly.
+
+"What was that you said about a foolish question?" demanded Dan.
+
+"I was referring to your habit of asking foolish questions," retorted
+Barnes.
+
+"Do I ask any more of them than you do?" Dalzell retorted, a bit
+gruffly.
+
+"You do," Barnes declared, "and that's one of them."
+
+"If I thought I asked more foolish questions than you do, sir," Dan
+rejoined, laying down his coffee cup, "I'd--"
+
+Here Dalzell paused.
+
+"What would you do?" Barnes insisted.
+
+"On second thought," Dan went on gravely, "I don't believe I'll tell
+you. It was something desperate that I was thinking of."
+
+"Then drop the idea, Dalzell," scoffed Lieutenant Barnes lightly.
+"You're hardly the fellow we'd look to for desperate deeds."
+
+"Oh, am I not?" demanded Dan, for once a bit miffed.
+
+Several of the officers glanced up apprehensively. From necessity,
+life in the ward-room is an oppressively close one at best. A feud
+between two officers of the mess is enough to make all hands
+uncomfortable much of the time.
+
+"Cut it, Barnes," ordered the officer sitting on the right-hand side
+of Lieutenant Barnes. "Don't start any argument."
+
+"Gentlemen," broke in the paymaster, anxious to change the topic of
+conversation, "have you gone so far with your meal that a little bad
+news won't spoil your appetites?"
+
+Most of those present nodded, smilingly.
+
+"Then," continued the paymaster, "I wish to bring up a matter that has
+been discussed here before. You all know that in some way, owing to
+the carelessness of some one, there is an unexplained shortage of
+thirty-three dollars in our mess-fund. You appointed Totten and myself
+a committee to look into the matter. We now beg to report that the
+thirty-three dollars cannot be accounted for. What is your pleasure in
+the matter?"
+
+"I would call it very simple," replied Lieutenant Commander Wales.
+"Why not levy an assessment upon the members of this mess sufficient
+to make up the thirty-three dollars? It will amount to very little
+apiece."
+
+That way of remedying the shortage would have been agreed to promptly,
+had not Lieutenant Barnes cut in eagerly:
+
+"I've a better plan for making up the shortage. One man can pay it
+all, as a penalty, and there will be a lot of fun in deciding which
+member has to pay the penalty."
+
+"What's the idea, Mr. Barnes?" asked the executive officer.
+
+"It's simple enough," Barnes went on, grinning. "Let us set apart the
+dinner hour on Tuesday evening, say. Every time this mess gets
+together we hear a lot of foolish questions asked. Now, on Tuesday
+evening, if any member of this mess asks a question that he can't
+answer himself, let it be agreed that he pay into the mess a fine of
+thirty-three dollars to cover the shortage."
+
+"It won't work," objected Totten. "Every officer at this table will be
+on his guard not to ask any questions at all."
+
+"In that case," proposed Barnes, "let the rule hold over on each
+successive Tuesday evening until the victim is found and has paid his
+fine."
+
+"It sounds like sport," agreed Dave Darrin.
+
+"It will be sport to see the victim 'stung' and made to pay up,"
+grinned Dan Dalzell.
+
+"And I think I know, already," contended Lieutenant Barnes, "which
+officer will pay that shortage."
+
+"Are you looking at me with any particular significance?" demanded
+Danny Grin.
+
+"I am," Barnes admitted.
+
+"Oh, well, then, we shall see what we shall see," quoth Dalzell, his
+color rising.
+
+The scheme for fixing the thirty-three-dollar penalty was quickly
+agreed upon. In fact, the plan had in it many of the exciting elements
+of a challenge.
+
+Darrin left the mess to go on duty. Dan found him presently.
+
+"Say," murmured Danny Grin, in an aside, "do you think Barnes will be
+very angry when he pays over that thirty-three dollars?"
+
+"I haven't yet heard that he is to pay it," Dave answered quietly.
+
+"But he _is_," Dalzell asserted.
+
+"How's that?"
+
+"I'm going to make it my business," Dan went on, "to see that Barnes
+is the victim of the very scheme that he proposed. He will ask a
+question that he can't answer, and he'll do it when Tuesday evening
+comes around."
+
+"Don't be too sure of that," Dave warned him. "Barnes may not be
+exactly the most amiable officer aboard, but at least he's a very keen
+chap. If you are forming any plans for making Barnes pay, look out,
+Dan, that your scheme doesn't recoil upon yourself!"
+
+"Wait and see," Dalzell insisted. "I tell you, Barnes is going to pay
+that thirty-three dollars into the mess treasury!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE STARTLER AT MONTE CARLO
+
+
+The frowning crags of Monaco confronted the United States battleship
+"Hudson."
+
+Here and there the rocky eminences were broken by tiny strips of white
+beach. In comparison with the crags the great, floating fighting
+machine looked like a pigmy, indeed.
+
+It was toward evening, and the day was Tuesday. Darrin and Dalzell,
+both off duty for the time being, strolled along the battleship's
+quarter-deck, gazing shoreward.
+
+"It's almost too bad that the times are so civilized," murmured Danny
+Grin. "That little toy principality would make an ideal pirates'
+nest."
+
+"I fancy Monaco has done duty enough in that line in the past
+centuries," smiled Darrin. "I have been reading up a bit on the
+history of Monaco. Piracy flourished here as late as the fourteenth
+century. Even rather late in the eighteenth century every ship passing
+close to this port had to pay toll. And to-day, through its vast
+gambling establishments, visited by thousands every week, Monaco
+reaches out and still takes its toll from all the world."
+
+"It won't take any from me," smiled Dalzell.
+
+"That is because you're a disciplined human being, and you've too much
+character and honesty to gamble," Darrin went on. "But think, with a
+pitying sigh, of the thousands of poor wretches who journey to Monaco,
+enter the Casino at Monte Carlo, part with their money and their
+honor, and then pass into one of the gardens, there to blow their
+brains out.
+
+"We shall get a glimpse of the place to-night," Dave continued. "I
+will admit that I have a good deal of curiosity to see it. So I am
+glad that we have shore leave effective after dinner. Still, we shan't
+see anything like the crowd or the picture that we might see if Europe
+were at peace."
+
+"This is Tuesday night," Dan warned his chum.
+
+"Yes; the night to avoid dangerous questions at mess," Dave smiled.
+"Dan, are you still going to try to catch Barnes?"
+
+"Watch me," winked Dalzell.
+
+"Look out, Dan! Such a trap may be set at both ends."
+
+But Dalzell winked once more, then allowed his mouth to expand in that
+contortion which had won him the nick name of "Danny Grin."
+
+Dave soon forgot Dalzell's threat of trouble for the evening. It had
+passed out of his mind by the time that Ensign Darrin entered the
+ward-room. Yet soon after the officers had seated themselves the
+executive officer announced:
+
+"In the interest of fair play to all I deem it best to warn you,
+gentlemen, that to-night is the night when the first gentleman who
+asks a question that he cannot himself answer is liable to a penalty
+of thirty-three dollars to make up the deficit in the mess treasury."
+
+There were nods and grins, and shakings of heads. Not an officer
+present had any idea that _he_ could be caught and made to pay the
+penalty.
+
+As the meal progressed Lieutenant Commander Wales finally turned to
+one of the Filipino waiters and inquired:
+
+"Is there any of the rare roast beef left?"
+
+"Don't you know yourself, Wales?" demanded Totten quickly.
+
+"Why, er--no-o," admitted Mr. Wales, looking much puzzled. "Why should
+I?"
+
+"Then haven't you asked a question that you can't answer?" demanded
+Totten mischievously.
+
+"That's hardly a fair catch, is it?" demanded the navigating officer,
+looking annoyed.
+
+"It is not a fair catch," broke in the executive officer incisively.
+"Any gentleman here has a perfect right to ask the waiter questions
+about the food supply without taking chances of being subjected to a
+penalty."
+
+"I bow to the decision, sir," replied Lieutenant Totten. "I merely
+wished to have the question settled."
+
+Some of those present breathed more easily; others yet dreaded to
+become victims of a penalty proposition that many now regretted having
+voted for.
+
+As the dessert came on Dan Dalzell turned to Dave.
+
+"Darrin," he said, "can you tell me why it is that a woodchuck never
+leaves any dirt heaped up around the edge of his hole?"
+
+Dave reflected, looking puzzled for a moment. Then he shook his head
+as he answered:
+
+"Dalzell, I'm afraid I don't know why."
+
+"Of course _you_ know why, Dalzell," broke in Lieutenant Barnes
+warningly.
+
+"Perhaps I do know," Dan replied, nodding his head slowly. "However,
+perhaps some other gentleman would like the chance of answering the
+question."
+
+Instantly a dozen at least of the officers became interested in
+answering the question. To each reply or guess, however, Dalzell shook
+his head.
+
+"If everyone who wants it has had a try at the answer," suggested the
+executive officer, "then we will call upon Mr. Dalzell to inform us
+why a woodchuck, in digging his hole, leaves no dirt piled up around
+the entrance."
+
+There was silence while Dan replied easily:
+
+"It's perfectly simple. Instead of beginning at the surface of the
+ground and digging downward, the woodchuck begins at the bottom of the
+hole and digs up toward the light and air."
+
+As Dalzell offered this explanation he faced Lieutenant Barnes, who
+was eying him scoffingly.
+
+When Dan had finished his explanation there was a puzzled silence for
+an instant. But Dan's half-leer irritated Lieutenant Barnes. Then came
+the explosion.
+
+"Shaw!" snorted Barnes. "That's an explanation that doesn't explain
+anything. It's a fool answer. How does the woodchuck, if he digs up
+from the bottom of the hole, ever manage to get to the bottom of the
+hole to make his start there?"
+
+"Oh, well," answered Dan slowly, "that's your question, Mr. Barnes."
+
+"My question?" retorted the lieutenant. "What do you mean?"
+
+"If I understand aright," Dan went on, "you asked how the woodchuck
+manages to get to the bottom of the hole before he begins to dig."
+
+"That's right," nodded the lieutenant, stiffly.
+
+"That's just the idea," Dan grinned. "I am calling upon you to answer
+the question that you just asked. You must tell us how the woodchuck
+manages to get to the bottom of the hole in order to start digging
+upward."
+
+It required perhaps two seconds for the joke to dawn on the other
+officers at the long mess table. Then an explosion of laughter
+sounded, and every eye was turned toward Lieutenant Barnes.
+
+"That isn't fair!" roared the lieutenant, leaping to his feet. "That
+was a trap! It wasn't a fair catch."
+
+Barnes's face was very red. His voice quivered with indignation.
+
+But Dan Dalzell was smiling coolly as he retorted:
+
+"I'll leave it to the mess if Barnes hasn't asked a question that he
+can't answer."
+
+"You're caught, Barnes!" roared half a dozen voices, and more laughter
+followed.
+
+"You asked a question, Barnes, and you can't answer it," came from
+others.
+
+"That thirty-three dollars will come in handy," called another.
+
+"Pay up like a man, Barnes."
+
+"That's right. Pay up! You're caught."
+
+The lieutenant's face grew redder, but he sat down and tried to
+control his wrath.
+
+"It doesn't seem like a fairly incurred penalty," declared Barnes, as
+soon as he could make himself heard, "but of course I'll abide by the
+decision of the mess."
+
+"Then I move," suggested Wales, "that we leave the question to a
+committee of three to decide whether Mr. Barnes has been properly
+caught in the fine that he himself was the one to propose. For
+committee I would suggest the executive officer, the paymaster and the
+chaplain."
+
+Informally that suggestion was quickly adopted. The three officers
+named withdrew to a corner of the ward-room, where they conversed in
+low tones, after which they returned to their seats.
+
+"Gentlemen," announced the executive officer, "the committee has
+discussed the problem submitted to it, and the members of the
+committee are unanimously agreed that Mr. Barnes fairly and fully
+incurred the penalty that he himself suggested the other morning."
+
+Barnes snorted, but was quick to recover sufficiently to bow in the
+direction of the executive officer.
+
+"Then I accept the decision, sir," announced the lieutenant huskily.
+"At the close of the meal I will pay thirty-three dollars into the
+mess treasury."
+
+Barnes tried to look comfortable, but he refused to glance in the
+direction of Danny Grin.
+
+"Did I catch him?" whispered Dalzell to his chum.
+
+"You did," Dave agreed quickly. "Barnes must feel pretty sore over
+the way his plan turned out."
+
+There was much laughter during the rest of the meal, and Barnes had to
+stand for much chaffing, which he bore with a somewhat sullen look. As
+the officers rose none offered to leave the ward-room. All stood by
+waiting to see Barnes hand thirty-three dollars to the paymaster.
+
+"Here is the money," announced Barnes, handing a little wad of bills
+to the paymaster.
+
+"Count it, Pay!" piped a voice from the rear of the crowd, but it was
+not Dan who spoke.
+
+Lieutenant Barnes had the grace to leave the ward-room without
+stamping, but in the nearest passageway he encountered Ensigns Darrin
+and Dalzell.
+
+"I suppose you are chuckling over the way I dropped right into your
+trap," snapped Barnes to Dan. "But do you call it a fair kind of
+trap?"
+
+"What was the committee's decision on the subject?" inquired Dan,
+softly.
+
+"Oh, I'll admit that the decision went against me," answered the
+lieutenant, scowling. "How will you like it if I promise to pay you
+back fully for that trick? Are you willing that I should?"
+
+"If your mind is set on paying me back," Danny Grin responded, "then
+my willingness would have very little to do with your conduct. But I
+am willing to make you a promise, sir."
+
+"What is that?" asked the lieutenant, quite testily.
+
+"If you attempt to pay me back, sir, and succeed, I'll agree to take
+my medicine with an appearance of greater good humor than you
+displayed a few minutes ago."
+
+"Huh!" sniffed Mr. Barnes.
+
+"Danny boy," broke in Dave, "I don't want to spoil a pleasant
+conversation, but I would like to remind you that, if we are to make
+much of our evening ashore, we shall do well to change to 'cits' at
+once. The launch leaves the side in fifteen minutes."
+
+"You'll excuse me, won't you, sir?" begged Dalzell, favoring the
+lieutenant with an extremely pleasant smile.
+
+The chums went to their respective cabins, where they quickly made the
+change from uniform to citizen's dress, commonly called "cits."
+
+Promptly the launch left the "Hudson's" side, but both young ensigns
+were aboard. At least a dozen other officers and a score of seamen
+were also aboard the launch, which was to return for forty more seamen
+who held the coveted shore leave.
+
+Yet the reader is not to suppose that either officers or men were
+going ashore with any notion of gambling. An American naval officer,
+with his status of "officer and gentleman," would risk a severe
+rebuke from his commanding officer if he were to seat himself to play
+in any gambling resort. As for the enlisted men, the "jackies," they
+are not of the same piece of cloth as the jovial, carousing seamen of
+the old-time Navy. The "jackies" of to-day are nearly all extremely
+youthful; they are clean-cut, able, ambitious young fellows, much more
+inclined to study than to waste their time in improper resorts.
+
+So, while most of the officers and men now going ashore were likely to
+drop in at the Casino, for the sake of seeing the sights there, it was
+not in the least to be feared that any would engage in the gambling
+games.
+
+When the launch landed in the little harbor, drivers of automobiles
+and carriages clamored for fares.
+
+"Are we going to ride up to the Casino?" Dan asked his chum.
+
+"If you'd rather," Dave assented. "But, unless you feel tired, let us
+stroll along and see every bit of the way."
+
+"These natives are all jabbering French," complained Dalzell, as the
+chums set out to walk over the steep, well-worn roads, "but it isn't
+the kind of French we were taught at Annapolis."
+
+"Can't you understand them?" asked Dave.
+
+"Hardly a word."
+
+"If you have to talk with any of the natives," Dave advised, "speak
+your French slowly, and ask the person you're addressing to do the
+same."
+
+Though the way was steep, it was not a long road. Dave and Dan soon
+reached the upper, rocky plain, edged by cliffs, on which the Casino
+and some of the hotels and other buildings stand.
+
+"If it weren't for the gambling," murmured Dan to his friend, "I'd
+call this a beautiful enough spot to live and die in."
+
+"As it is, a good many men and women manage to die here," Darrin
+returned gravely.
+
+The Casino was surrounded by beautiful gardens, in which were many
+rare tropical trees and shrubs. From the Casino came the sound of
+orchestral music. Throngs moved about on the verandas; couples or
+little groups strolled through the gardens. Inside, the play had
+hardly begun. Gambling does not reach its frantic height until
+midnight.
+
+"We shall feel out of place," mused Dave aloud. "Dan, we really should
+have known better than to come here in anything but evening dress. You
+see that every one else is in full regalia."
+
+"Perhaps we'd better keep on the edge of the crowd," responded Danny
+Grin. "There is enough to be seen here, for one evening, without
+entering the Casino."
+
+Though Dave intended to enter the Casino later, he decided, for the
+present, to take in the full beauty of the night in the gardens. There
+were electric lights everywhere, which outshone the brilliance of the
+moon.
+
+"Hello!" whispered Dan, suddenly. "There's an old friend of ours."
+
+"Who?"
+
+"Mr. Green Hat," Dan whispered impressively.
+
+Instantly Dave Darrin became intensely interested, though he had no
+intimation of what this second meeting portended. That Mr. Green Hat
+was destined to play a highly tragic role in his life, Darrin, of
+course, had no inkling at that moment.
+
+"There he is!" whispered Dalzell, pointing, as the chums stood
+screened by a flowering bush.
+
+"We'll watch that rascal!" Dave proposed promptly. "I wonder if he has
+followed the 'Hudson' here with a view to attempting more mischief
+against our Government. Whatever his game is, I am going to take a
+peep at the inside of it if a chance comes my way!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+MR. GREEN HAT'S NEW ROLE
+
+
+Mr. Green Hat, on this occasion, had discarded the article of headwear
+that had given him that nickname with the young ensigns.
+
+Instead, Gortchky wore an opera hat, with evening dress of the most
+fashionable description. On his broad white expanse of vest there
+glittered a foreign decoration.
+
+Though he walked alone, and affected an air of indifference to his
+surroundings, Darrin was of the impression that the spy was looking
+alertly for some one.
+
+"Of course it may happen," said Dave to his friend, "that the fellow
+is foolish enough to come here for the purpose of throwing away at the
+gaming tables the money he earns by his questionable services to some
+plotting international ring. Yet that seems hardly likely, either, for
+Gortchky must be a man of tremendous energy, to render the thrilling
+services that are demanded of a spy or an international trouble-maker."
+
+Now the two chums left the place where they had been standing behind
+the bush, to stroll along slowly, all the while keeping Gortchky in
+sight.
+
+Dave nudged his chum as, at a turn in the path, the spy came face to
+face with a woman clad in a beautiful evening gown.
+
+Raising his hat, and making a courteous bow to the woman, who returned
+the greeting, Gortchky exchanged half a dozen sentences with her. Then
+the pair separated, though not before Dave and Dan had obtained, under
+the electric light, a good view of the young woman's face. Her dark
+beauty, her height and grace, gave her a queenly air.
+
+Stepping into another path, Dave and Dan were soon on the trail of
+Gortchky once more, without having been obliged to pass the young
+woman face to face.
+
+"I wonder if she's a 'spy-ess'?" murmured Dan.
+
+"It is just as well to be suspicious of any one whom Gortchky appears
+to know well," Dave answered, slowly, in a low voice.
+
+"I beg pardon, sir," broke in a sailor from the "Hudson," stepping
+forward and saluting the officers. "May I speak with you, sir?"
+
+It was Dan to whom he spoke, and it was Dan who answered:
+
+"Certainly, Martin."
+
+[Illustration: "The spy came face to face with a woman."]
+
+Martin was one of the gun-pointers in Dalzell's division.
+
+"Linton, one of our men, has been hurt, and rather badly, by falling
+off a boulder that he climbed not far from here, sir. I thought I
+would ask the ensign what to do with Linton."
+
+"How badly is he hurt?" asked Ensign Dalzell.
+
+"I think his right leg is broken, sir. Colby is with him, and I came
+in search of you, sir, as I was certain I saw you here."
+
+"Is Linton far from here?" asked Dalzell.
+
+"Less than a quarter of a mile, sir."
+
+"Lead the way, Martin, and I'll follow you. Dave, you'll excuse me for
+a little while, won't you?"
+
+"Certainly," nodded Ensign Darrin. Dave wished to remain where he was,
+in order to keep an eye over Gortchky's movements, and Dan knew it. So
+the chums parted for the present.
+
+"Now, I'll see if I can pick up Gortchky again," reflected Ensign
+Darrin. "He appears to have given me the slip."
+
+Dave went ahead, more briskly than he had been moving before, in the
+hope of sighting the spy.
+
+Out of the Casino had staggered a young man, despair written on his
+face, hopelessness in his very air. Plunging into the garden this
+stranger made his way hastily through it, keeping on until he came to
+the field where pigeon shoots are held from time to time.
+
+Dave, at the edge of the garden, saw the young man step past the
+shrubbery and go on into the darkness beyond. Under the last rays of
+light Ensign Darrin saw something glitter in the stranger's hand.
+
+"That fellow has just drawn a revolver!" flashed through Darrin's
+mind. "Now, what mischief can he be up to?"
+
+Led onward by some fascination that he did not understand, the young
+naval officer followed.
+
+In his excitement and desperation the man did not notice that he was
+being followed.
+
+Halting under the heavy foliage of a tree, the stranger glanced down
+at the weapon in his hand and shuddered. This foolish young man,
+haunting the gambling tables until he had ruined himself, and seeing
+nothing now ahead of him in life, was bent upon self-destruction.
+
+Sometimes there are several such suicides at Monte Carlo in a single
+week. If unprovided with other means for ending his life, the suicide
+sometimes hurls himself over the edge of one of the steep cliffs.
+
+Suicides, of course, have a depressing effect on other players, so
+those in authority at the Casino take every means of hushing up these
+tragedies as effectively as possible.
+
+"There is really nothing left in life," muttered the young man
+huskily, as he stared at the weapon in his hand. He spoke in French,
+but Darrin heard and understood him.
+
+Then the desperate one raised the weapon, pointing the muzzle at his
+head.
+
+At that instant there was a quick step out of the darkness, and Dave
+reached the stranger. The latter, startled, drew back, but not in time
+to prevent Darrin's grip of steel from resting on his right wrist.
+
+Wrench! Dave had the pistol in his own hands, at the same time
+murmuring:
+
+"You will pardon me, I trust."
+
+Ensign Darrin broke the weapon open at the breach. From the chamber he
+removed the cartridges, dropping them into his pocket. With another
+swift movement Dave flung the pistol so far that it dropped over the
+edge of a cliff.
+
+"You will pardon me, I trust, sir, for throwing your property away in
+that fashion," Dave apologized, in the best French he could summon.
+
+"Since it is the very last item of my property that was left to me,
+perhaps it can matter but little that I am deprived of it," said the
+stranger, smiling wanly. "The cliff is still left to me, however. I
+can easily follow the pistol."
+
+"But you are not going to jump over the cliff," Darrin assured him
+energetically.
+
+"And why are you so certain of that?" demanded the stranger.
+
+Dave looked keenly at his companion before he replied:
+
+"Because, sir, your face is that of a man--not of a coward. Suicide is
+the act of a coward. It is the resort of one who frankly admits that
+his troubles are greater than he has the manhood to bear. Now, you
+have, when one regards you closely, the look of a man and a
+gentleman."
+
+"Thank you for your good opinion, sir," replied the stranger, bowing.
+"I will say that I was born a gentleman."
+
+"And you still are one, and a man, as well as a gentleman," Dave
+continued, gently. "Therefore, you are not afraid to face life."
+
+"What is there left to me to make life worth living?" queried the
+stranger.
+
+"Why should you have the least desire to die?" Dave countered.
+
+"I have lost all my money."
+
+"That is a very slight matter," Darrin argued. "Lost all your money,
+have you? Why, my dear fellow, there's a lot more in the world."
+
+"But none of the money now in the world is mine," urged the desperate
+one.
+
+"Then make a part of the world's money yours," the young naval officer
+retorted, smilingly.
+
+"I have never worked," replied the stranger stiffly.
+
+"Why not?" Dave pressed.
+
+"I never had need to."
+
+"But now you have the need, and working for money will bring some
+novelty into your life," the young ensign insisted.
+
+"Did I not tell you that I was born a gentleman?" inquired the young
+man, raising his eyebrows. "A gentleman never works!"
+
+"Some gentlemen don't," Dave admitted. "But they are the wrong kind of
+gentlemen."
+
+"If I mistake not," quizzed the stranger keenly, "you are a gentleman,
+yourself."
+
+"I trust that I am," Dave responded gravely.
+
+"Then do you work?"
+
+"More hours a day than any laborer does," Darrin answered promptly. "I
+am a naval officer."
+
+"Ah, but that is a career of honor--of glory!" cried the stranger.
+
+"And so is any honest job of work that a man takes up in earnest and
+carries through to the best of his ability," Dave Darrin returned with
+warmth.
+
+"But you see, sir," argued the stranger, though now he was smiling,
+"you have been trained to a profession. I never was so trained."
+
+"You are young?"
+
+"Twenty-four."
+
+"Then you are young enough to change your mind and recognize the
+dignity of labor," Darrin continued. "You are also young enough and,
+unless I mistake you, bright enough to win a very good place in life
+for yourself. And you are man enough, now you have had time to think
+it over, to see the wickedness of destroying yourself. Man, _make_
+yourself instead."
+
+"I'll do it! I will make myself!" promised the stranger, with a new
+outburst of emotion.
+
+"And you will never again allow yourself to become so downcast that
+you will seek to destroy yourself?"
+
+"Never!"
+
+"I am satisfied," Dave said gravely. "You are a man of honor, and
+therefore are incapable of breaking your word. Your hand!"
+
+Their hands met in ardent clasp. Then Darrin took out his card case,
+tendering his card to the stranger.
+
+Instantly the young man produced his own card case, and extended a bit
+of pasteboard, murmuring:
+
+"I am M. le Comte de Surigny, of Lyons, France."
+
+It was too dark to read the cards there, but Dave gave his own name,
+and again the young men shook hands.
+
+"But I am forgetting my comrade," Dave cried suddenly. "He was to
+return in a few minutes, and will not know where to find me."
+
+"And I have detained you, with my own wretched affairs!" cried the
+young count reproachfully. "I must not trespass upon your time another
+second."
+
+"Why not walk along with me and meet my friend?" Dave suggested.
+
+"With pleasure."
+
+Dave and the young French count stepped along briskly until they came
+to the spot where Dalzell had left his chum. Two or three minutes
+later Dan hove into sight.
+
+Dan and the Count of Surigny were introduced, and some chat followed.
+Then the Count frankly told of the service that Darrin had just
+rendered him.
+
+"That is Dave!" glowed Dan. "He's always around in time to be of use
+to some one."
+
+In the distance a shot rang out--only one. The Count of Surigny
+shuddered.
+
+"You understand, do you not?" he asked.
+
+"I am afraid so," Dave sadly responded.
+
+As they stood there four men with a litter hurried past toward the
+place whence the sound of the shot had come.
+
+"The police of Monte Carlo," murmured the Count of Surigny.
+
+Presently, at a distance, the three onlookers beheld the four men and
+the litter moving stealthily along, but not toward the Casino. The
+litter was occupied by a still form over which a cover had been
+thrown.
+
+"You have shown me the way of true courage!" murmured the Count of
+Surigny, laying an affectionate hand on Ensign Darrin's shoulder.
+
+The chums and their new acquaintance strolled along for a few moments.
+Then the Count suddenly exclaimed:
+
+"But I am intruding, and must leave you."
+
+"You surely are not intruding," Dave told him. "We are delighted with
+your company."
+
+"Wholly so," Dan added.
+
+But the Count felt himself to be an interloper, and so insisted on
+shaking hands again and taking his departure.
+
+"I shall see or write you presently," said the Count. He had already
+obtained the fleet address, and knew, in addition, that he could write
+at any time through the Navy Department at Washington.
+
+"Will he make good?" asked Danny Grin wistfully, as he peered after
+the departing form.
+
+"It's an even chance," Dave replied. "Either that young man will go
+steadily up, or else he will go rapidly down. It is sometimes a
+terrible thing to be born a gentleman--in the European sense. Few of
+the Count's friends will appreciate him if he starts in upon a career
+of effort. But, even though he goes down, he will struggle bravely at
+the outset. Of that I feel certain."
+
+"I wonder what has become of Gortchky?" remarked Ensign Dalzell.
+
+That industrious spy, however, was no longer the pursued; he had
+become the pursuer.
+
+From a little distance Gortchky had espied Dave and the Count
+chatting, and had witnessed the introduction to Dalzell. A man of Mr.
+Green Hat's experience with the world did not need many glances to
+assure himself that the Count had lost his last franc at the gambling
+table.
+
+Gortchky was not at Monte Carlo without abundant assistance. So, as
+the Count, head down, and reflecting hard, strolled along one of the
+paths, a man bumped into him violently.
+
+"Ten thousand pardons, Monsieur!" cried the bumper, in a tone of great
+embarrassment. "It was stupid of me. I--"
+
+"Have no uneasiness, my friend," smiled the Count. "It was I who was
+stupid. I should have looked where I was going."
+
+Courteous bows were exchanged, and the two separated. But the man who
+had bumped into the Count now carried inside his sleeve the Count's
+empty wallet, which was adorned with the crest of Surigny.
+
+This wallet was promptly delivered to another. Five minutes later, as
+the Count strolled along, Emil Gortchky called out behind him:
+
+"Monsieur! Pardon me, but I think you must have dropped your wallet."
+
+"If I have, the loss is trifling indeed," smiled the Count, turning.
+
+Gortchky held out the wallet, then struck a match. By the flame the
+Count beheld his own crest.
+
+"Yes, it is mine," replied the Count, "and I thank you for your
+kindness."
+
+"Will Monsieur do me the kindness, before I leave him, to make sure
+that the contents of the wallet are intact?" urged Gortchky.
+
+"It will take but an instant," laughed the Count of Surigny. "See! I
+will show you that the contents are intact!"
+
+As he spoke he opened the wallet. A packet of paper dropped to the
+ground. In astonishment the Count bent over to pick up the packet. M.
+Gortchky struck another match.
+
+"Let us go nearer to an electric light, that you may count your money
+at your ease, Monsieur," suggested Gortchky.
+
+Like one in a daze the Count moved along with Gortchky. When
+sufficiently in the light, Surigny, with an expression of
+astonishment, found that he was the possessor of thirty twenty-franc
+notes.
+
+"I did not know that I had this!" cried the Count. "How did I come to
+overlook it?"
+
+"It is but a trifle to a man of your fortune," cried M. Gortchky
+gayly.
+
+"It is all I have in the world!" sighed the young man. "And I am still
+amazed that I possess so much."
+
+"Poor?" asked Gortchky, in a voice vibrating with sympathy. "And you
+so young, and a gentleman of old family! Monsieur, it may be that this
+is a happy meeting. Perhaps I may be able to offer you the employment
+that befits a gentleman."
+
+Then Gortchky lowered his voice, almost whispering:
+
+"For I am in the diplomatic service, and have need of just such an
+attache as you would make. Young, a gentleman, and of charming
+manners! Your intellect, too, I am sure, is one that would fit you for
+eminence in the diplomatic service."
+
+"The mere mention of the diplomatic service attracts me," confessed M.
+le Comte wistfully.
+
+"Then you shall have your fling at it!" promised M. Gortchky. "But
+enough of this. You shall talk it over with me to-morrow. Diplomacy,
+you know, is all gamble, and the gambler makes the best diplomat in
+the world. For to-night, Monsieur, you shall enjoy yourself! If I know
+anything of gaming fate, then you are due to reap a harvest of
+thousands with your few francs to-night. I can see it in your face
+that your luck is about to turn. An evening of calm, quiet play,
+Monsieur, and in the morning you and I will arrange for your entrance
+into the diplomatic world. _Faites votre jeux!_ (Make your wagers.)
+Wealth to-night, and a career to-morrow! Come! To the Casino!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+DANNY GRIN FIGHTS A SMILE
+
+
+Side by side Dave and Dan strolled through the vast main salon of the
+Casino.
+
+Here at tables were groups of men and women. Each player hoped to quit
+the tables that night richer by thousands. Most of them were doomed to
+leave poorer, as chance is always in favor of the gambling institution
+and always against the player.
+
+"It's a mad scene," murmured Dan, in a low voice.
+
+"You are looking on now at an exhibition of what is probably the
+worst, and therefore the most dangerous, human vice," Dave replied.
+"Bad as drunkenness is, gambling is worse."
+
+"What is at the bottom of the gambling mania?" Dan asked thoughtfully.
+
+"Greed," Dave responded promptly. "The desire to possess property, and
+to acquire it without working for it."
+
+"Some of these poor men and women look as if they were working hard
+indeed," muttered Dan, in almost a tone of sympathy.
+
+"They are not working so much as suffering," Dave rejoined. "Study
+their faces, Danny boy. Can't you see greed sticking out all over
+these countenances? Look at the hectic flush in most of the faces.
+And--look at that man!"
+
+A short, stout man sprang up from a table, his face ghastly pale and
+distorted as though with terror. His eyes were wild and staring. He
+chattered incoherently as he hastened away with tottering steps. Then
+his hands gripped his hair, as though about to tear it from his head.
+
+A few of the players in this international congress of greed glanced
+at the unfortunate man, who probably had just beggared himself,
+shrugged their shoulders, and turned their fascinated eyes back to the
+gambling table.
+
+One woman, young and charming, reached up to her throat, unfastening
+and tossing on the table a costly diamond necklace and pendant.
+
+"Now," she laughed hysterically, "I may go on playing for another
+hour."
+
+The Casino's representative in charge at that table smiled and shook
+his head.
+
+"We accept only money, madame," he said, with a grave bow.
+
+"But I have no more money--with me," flashed back the young woman, her
+cheeks burning feverishly.
+
+"I regret, madame," insisted the Casino's man. Then an attendant, at
+a barely perceptible sign from the _croupier_, as the man in charge of
+the table is called, stepped up behind the young woman, bent over her
+and murmured:
+
+"If you care to leave the table for a few minutes, madame, there are
+those close at hand who will advance you money on your necklace."
+
+The young woman pouted at first. In another instant there was a
+suppressed shout at the table. A player had just won four thousand
+francs.
+
+"I must have money!" cried the young woman, springing from her chair.
+"This is destined to be my lucky night, and I must have money!"
+
+As though he had been waiting for his prey, the attendant was quickly
+by the woman's side. Bowing, he offered his arm. The man, attendant
+though he was, was garbed in evening dress. Without a blush the woman
+moved away on this attendant's arm.
+
+"Shall we move on?" asked Dan.
+
+"Not just yet," urged Darrin, in an undertone. "I am interested in the
+further fate of that foolish young woman."
+
+Within five minutes she had returned. Her former seat had been
+reserved for her; the young woman dropped into it.
+
+"You have enough money now?" asked the woman at her left.
+
+"I have money," pouted the pretty young woman, "but be warned by me.
+The pawnbrokers at Monte Carlo are robbers. The fellow would advance
+me only six thousand francs, whereas my husband paid a hundred
+thousand for that necklace."
+
+A moment later the young woman was absorbed in the wild frenzy of
+play.
+
+"And that attendant undoubtedly gets a handsome commission from the
+pawnbroker," murmured Darrin in his chum's ear. "Greed here is in the
+very air; none can escape it who lingers."
+
+"How much have you lost, Darrin?" called a bantering voice in Dave's
+ear.
+
+The speaker was Lieutenant Totten.
+
+"About as much, I imagine, as you have, sir," was Darrin's smiling
+answer.
+
+"Meaning that you now have as much money as when you entered the
+place?" answered the lieutenant, banteringly.
+
+"Exactly," returned Darrin. "I have only to study the faces here to
+know better than to risk even a franc-piece at one of these tables."
+
+"And you, Dalzell?" inquired Totten.
+
+"I haven't any French money, anyway," grinned Dan.
+
+"Not at all necessary to have French money," laughed Totten. "Any kind
+of real money is good here--as long as it lasts. Every nation on earth
+is represented here to-night, and the attendants know the current
+exchange rate for any kind of good money that is coined or printed.
+Look closely about you and you will see other things that are worth
+nothing. There are men here, some of them limping, others showing the
+pallor of illness, who are undoubtedly French, English or Italian
+officers, injured at the front and sent home to hospitals. Being still
+unfitted to return to their soldier duties at the front, they are
+passing time here and indulging in their mania for gambling. And here,
+too, you will see wealthy French, Italian, English or Russian
+civilians who have returned to Monte Carlo to gamble, though later on
+they are pretty certain to be held up to contempt at home for gambling
+money away here instead of buying government war bonds at home."
+
+"You have been here before?" Dave asked.
+
+"Oh, yes," nodded Totten, "and as I do not play, and would not do so
+in any circumstances, this place has not much interest for me."
+
+"I can hardly imagine," said Ensign Darrin, gravely, "that I shall
+ever bother to pay a second visit here."
+
+"It's a good deal of a bore," yawned Lieutenant Totten, behind his
+hand. "I am glad to note that most of the people here look like
+Europeans. I should hate to believe that many Americans could be
+foolish enough to come here."
+
+At that moment a stout, red-faced man rose from a table near by, his
+voice booming as he laughed:
+
+"I have lost only sixteen thousand francs. I shall be sure to come
+back and have my revenge. In Chicago my signature is good at any time
+for a million dollars--for five million francs!"
+
+Many eyes, followed this speaker wistfully. With such wealth as his
+how many months of frenzied pleasure they might have at Monte Carlo!
+
+"One American idiot, at least," muttered Totten, in disgust. "Or else
+he's a liar or braggart."
+
+Madly the play went on, the faces of the players growing more flushed
+as the hour grew later.
+
+Totten moved along with a bored air.
+
+"I guess he's going," said Dan. "I don't blame him for being tired of
+the place. It's like a human menagerie."
+
+"We'll go, then," agreed Dave. "Surely I have seen enough of the
+Casino. I shall never care to revisit it."
+
+"Ah, here you are, my dear fellows!" exclaimed a musical voice. "And
+the Countess Ripoli has asked me to present you to her. She is eager
+to know if you American officers are as wonderful as I have told her."
+
+The speaker was Dandelli, a handsome, boyish-looking, frank-faced
+young Italian naval officer with whom Darrin and Dalzell had become
+acquainted at Gibraltar.
+
+The Countess Ripoli, to whom Dandelli now presented the two young
+ensigns, was a woman in the full flower of her beauty at twenty-five
+or so. Tall, willowy, with a perfect air, her wonderful eyes, in which
+there was a touch of Moorish fire, were calculated to set a young
+man's heart to beating responses to her mood. Attired in the latest
+mode of Paris, and wearing only enough jewels to enhance her great
+beauty, the Countess chose to be most gracious to the young ensigns.
+Dave thought her a charming young woman; Dan Dalzell nearly lost his
+head.
+
+From a distance Emil Gortchky looked on, a quiet smile gleaming in his
+eyes.
+
+"Dandelli is a fool, who will do any pretty woman's bidding," mused
+the spy. "Madame Ripoli can play with him. Also I believe she will
+surely ensnare for me at least one of the Americans. Which, I wonder?
+But then why should I care which? The Ripoli knows how to manage such
+affairs far better than I do."
+
+For the Countess was another of the many dangerous tools with which
+Mr. Green Hat plied his wicked trade.
+
+If the Countess, as unscrupulous as Gortchky himself, could ensnare
+either of these young officers with her fascinations, he was likely
+to be that much the weaker, and a readier prey for the trap that Emil
+Gortchky was arranging.
+
+"Dandelli," murmured the Countess sweetly, in French, "you will wish,
+I know, to talk with your dear friend, Mr. Darrin, so I must look to
+Mr. Dalzell to offer me his arm."
+
+Dan was ready, with a bow, to offer the Countess Ripoli his arm, and
+to escort her in the direction which she indicated.
+
+It was to one of the verandas that the Countess led the way. As she
+chatted she laughed and looked up at Dan with her most engaging
+expression. There were other promenaders on the veranda, though not
+many, for the furious fascination of gambling tables kept nearly all
+the frequenters of the place inside.
+
+"You have played to-night?" asked the Countess, again glancing sweetly
+up into the young naval officer's face.
+
+"Not to-night," Dan replied.
+
+"But you will doubtless play later?" she insisted.
+
+"I haven't gambled to-night, nor shall I gamble on any other night,"
+Dan replied pleasantly.
+
+"But why?" demanded the Countess, looking puzzled.
+
+"Gambling does not fit in with my idea of honesty," replied Dalzell
+quite bluntly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+DAVE RUNS INTO A REAL THRILL
+
+
+"I do not understand," murmured the Countess.
+
+"I know that the European idea of gambling is very different from that
+entertained by most people in my country," Dan went on pleasantly. "To
+the greater number of Americans, gambling is a method of getting other
+people's money away from them without working for it."
+
+"And that is why you term it dishonest?" asked the Countess.
+
+"Yes," replied Dan frankly. "And, in addition, it is a wicked waste of
+time that could be put to so many good uses."
+
+Countess Ripoli shrugged her fine shoulders, and looked up once more
+at the young officer. But Dan was smiling back coolly at her.
+
+"You have not a flattering idea of the Europeans?" she asked.
+
+"Quite to the contrary," Dan assured her.
+
+"Yet you think we are both weak and dishonest, because we use our
+time to poor advantage and because so many of us find Monte Carlo
+delightful?" she pressed him.
+
+"Not all Europeans frequent Monte Carlo," Dalzell answered.
+
+"May I ask my new American friend why _he_ should waste his time
+here?" laughed the Countess.
+
+"I do not believe I have exactly wasted my time," Dan replied. "A
+naval officer, or any other American, may well spend some of his time
+here in gaining a better knowledge of human nature. Surely, there is
+much of human nature to be seen here, even though it be not one of the
+better sides."
+
+"What is the bad trait, or the vice, that one beholds most at Monte
+Carlo?" the Countess asked.
+
+"Greed," Dan rejoined promptly.
+
+"And dishonesty?"
+
+"Much of that vice, no doubt," Dan continued. "To-night there must be
+many a man here who is throwing away money that his family needs, yet
+he will never tell his wife that he lost his money over a table at
+Monte Carlo. Again, there must be many a woman here throwing away
+money in large sums, and she, very likely, will never tell her husband
+the truth. Let us say that, in both sexes, there are a hundred persons
+here to-night who will be dishonest toward their life partners
+afterward. And then, perhaps, many a young bachelor, who, betrothed to
+some good woman, is learning his first lessons in greed and deceit.
+And some young girls, too, who are perhaps learning the wrong lessons
+in life. I know of one very young man here who tried to blow out his
+brains to-night. For the sake of a few hours, or perhaps a few weeks,
+over the gaming tables of Monte Carlo, he had thrown away everything
+that made life worth living. Any man who gambles bids good-by to the
+finer things of life."
+
+Dan's slow, halting French made the Countess listen very attentively,
+that she might understand just what he said. She puckered her brow
+thoughtfully, then suddenly glanced up, laughing with all the witchery
+at her command.
+
+"Then, my dear American," she said insinuatingly, "I fear that you are
+going to refuse me a very great favor."
+
+"I hope not," Dan replied, gallantly.
+
+"There is," pursued the Countess, "such a thing as luck. Often a
+prophecy of that luck is to be seen in one's face. I see such luck
+written in your face now. Since you will not play for yourself, I had
+hoped that you would be willing to let me have the benefit of a little
+of the luck that is so plainly written on your face. I had hoped, up
+to this instant, that you would consent to play as my proxy."
+
+The Countess was looking at him in a way that would have melted many a
+man into agreeing to her wishes, but Dan answered promptly:
+
+"I regret, Countess, to be compelled to refuse your request, but I
+would not play for myself, nor for anyone else."
+
+"If you so detest Monte Carlo and its pursuits," replied the Countess
+with a pout, "I cannot understand why you are here."
+
+"There was something useful to be gained from witnessing the sights
+here, but I have seen as much as I wish," Dalzell went on, "and now I
+am ready to leave. I am returning to my ship as soon as Darrin is
+ready to go."
+
+"And he, also, is tired of Monte Carlo?" asked Countess Ripoli.
+
+"Darrin's views are much the same as my own," Dan responded quietly.
+
+Countess Ripoli bit her lip, then surveyed Dalzell with a sidelong
+look which she did not believe he saw, but Dan, trained in habits of
+observation, had missed nothing.
+
+"Will you take me back to the tables?" asked the Countess suddenly.
+
+"With pleasure," bowed Dan.
+
+Lightly resting a hand on his arm the Countess guided Dalzell rather
+than walked with him. Back into the largest salon they moved.
+
+Dan's eye roved about in search of Darrin, but that young ensign was
+not in sight.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+At that very moment, in fact, Dave Darrin was very much concerned in
+a matter upon which he had stumbled.
+
+A few moments before his quick eye had espied Emil Gortchky crossing
+the room at a distance. Gortchky paused barely more than a few seconds
+to say a few words to a white-bearded, rather distinguished-looking
+foreigner. The older man returned Gortchky's look, then smiled
+slightly and moved on.
+
+It was a trivial incident, but it was sufficient to set Dave's mind to
+working swiftly, on account of what he already knew about Mr. Green
+Hat.
+
+For a few moments longer Ensign Darrin stood where he was; then,
+tiring of the scene, and wondering what had become of Danny Grin, he
+moved out upon one of the verandas, strolling slowly along. Reaching a
+darker part of the veranda, where a clump of small potted trees formed
+a toy grove, Dave paused, looking past the trees out upon the vague
+glimpses to be had of the Mediterranean by night.
+
+There, in the near distance, gleamed the lights of the "Hudson."
+Darrin's face glowed with pride in the ship and in the Nation that
+stood behind her.
+
+Almost unconsciously he stepped inside the little grove. For a few
+minutes longer his gaze rested on the sea. Then, hearing voices
+faintly, he turned to see if Dalzell were approaching.
+
+Instead, it was the white-bearded foreigner, the murmur of whose voice
+had reached him. With him was another man, younger, black-haired, and
+with a face that somehow made the beholder think of an eagle.
+
+The two men were engaged in close, low-voiced conversation.
+
+"I'd better step into view," reflected Darrin, "so that they may not
+talk of private matters in my hearing."
+
+Just then a chuckle escaped the younger of the pair, and with it Dave
+distinguished the word, "American."
+
+It was the sneering intonation given the word that made Dave Darrin
+start slightly.
+
+"Those men are discussing my country," muttered the young ensign,
+swiftly, "and one of them at least is well acquainted with that spy,
+Gortchky. Perhaps I shall do better to remain where I am."
+
+Nor had Dave long to deliberate on this point, for the pair now neared
+the grove. They were speaking French, and in undertones, but Dave's
+ear was quick for that tongue, and he caught the words:
+
+"England's friendship is important to America at the present moment,
+and it is very freely given, too. The English believe in their Yankee
+cousins."
+
+"When the English lose a naval ship or two at Malta or elsewhere, and
+learn that it is the Americans who sink their ships, and then lie
+about it, will the English love for America be as great?" laughed the
+younger man.
+
+"The English will be furious," smiled the white-bearded man, "and they
+will never learn the truth, either. For a hundred years to come Great
+Britain will hate the United States with the fiercest hatred."
+
+"It is a desperate trick, but a clever one," declared the younger man,
+admiringly. "Nor will there be any way for either England or America
+to learn the truth. The whole world will know that the Yankees
+destroyed two British ships with all on board. It will probably bring
+the two countries to actual war. No matter though England is at
+present engaged in a huge war, the sentiment of her people would force
+her to take the United States on, too."
+
+Ensign Dave Darrin, overhearing that conversation, and well knowing
+that he was listening to more than vaporing, felt his face blanch. He
+steeled himself to rigid posture as he felt himself trembling
+slightly.
+
+Farther down the veranda strolled the French-speaking pair, then
+wheeled out of sight.
+
+In a twinkling Dave strode silently, swiftly toward the salon that he
+had left. As he stepped into the brighter light, with admirable
+control, he slowed down to a sauntering stroll, looking smilingly
+about as though his whole mind were on the scenes of gambling before
+him.
+
+A moment or two later Darrin's eyes caught sight of Dan Dalzell, as
+that young officer bowed the Countess Ripoli to a seat.
+
+In vain did the Countess use her prettiest smiles to hold Danny Grin
+by her side as she played. Dalzell had been schooled at Annapolis and
+in the Navy itself, and knew how to take his leave gracefully, which
+he did, followed by the pouts of the Countess. As soon as she saw that
+the ensign's back was turned, a very unpleasant frown crossed her
+beautiful face.
+
+Dave continued his stroll until he met Dan at a point where none stood
+near them.
+
+"Keep on smiling, Dan," urged Dave, in an undertone. "Don't let that
+grin leave your face. But it's back to the ship for us on the
+double-quick! I may be dreaming, but I think I have found out the
+meaning of Mr. Green Hat's strange activities. I believe there is a
+plot on foot to bring England and our country into war with each
+other. One thing is certain. It's my duty to get back on board as fast
+as possible. I must tell the admiral what I have overheard."
+
+Dan did not forget the injunction to keep on smiling. He proved so
+excellent an actor that he laughed heartily as Dave Darrin finished
+his few but thrilling words.
+
+"Tiresome here, isn't it?" murmured Dan, aloud. "We might as well go
+back on board ship."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+THE ADMIRAL UNLOADS HIS MIND
+
+
+Reporting their coming aboard to the officer of the deck, Dave and Dan
+hastened to their respective quarters.
+
+While Ensign Dalzell performed a "lightning change" from "cits" to
+uniform, Dave first seated himself at his desk, where he wrote a note
+hurriedly.
+
+This done, he passed the word for an orderly, who promptly appeared.
+
+"Take this note to the Captain," ordered Darrin.
+
+"Aye, aye, sir," said the messenger.
+
+Dave then hastened to make the necessary change in his own apparel. So
+quickly did he act, that he had his uniform on and was buttoning his
+blouse when the messenger returned.
+
+"The Captain will see Ensigns Darrin and Dalzell immediately,"
+reported the orderly.
+
+Returning the orderly's salute, Dave buckled on his sword belt, hung
+on his sword, drew on his white gloves, and started. He found his
+chum ready.
+
+Together the young officers reported at the Captain's quarters.
+Captain Allen was already seated at his desk.
+
+"Orderly!" called the commanding officer briskly.
+
+"Aye, aye, sir."
+
+"Guard the door and report that I am engaged."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir."
+
+In an instant Captain Allen, who had briefly greeted his youngest
+officers, turned to them.
+
+"Your note, Mr. Darrin, stated that you had a matter to report to me
+of such importance that you did not believe I would wish to lose a
+moment in hearing what Mr. Dalzell and yourself could tell me."
+
+"That is the case, sir," Dave bowed. "Have I your permission to
+proceed, sir?"
+
+"Yes. You may take seats, if you wish."
+
+Bowing their thanks, the young officers remained on their feet.
+
+Ensign Dave plunged at once into the narration of what had befallen
+them ashore.
+
+Captain Allen listened to the tale without comment, but when Dave
+related what he had overheard the two men say when passing the
+imitation grove on the darkest part of the Casino veranda, the
+commanding officer sprang to his feet.
+
+"Mr. Darrin," he demanded, "are you positive of the words that you
+have just repeated?"
+
+"I am, sir. In a matter of such importance I was careful to record
+every word in my mind just as it was uttered."
+
+"Then I must communicate with the Admiral at once," continued Captain
+Allen, seating himself again. "Even if the Admiral be abed I consider
+this a subject of enough importance to call him."
+
+Taking down the receiver of the telephone that led direct to the fleet
+commander's quarters, the Captain sent in a call to the Admiral's
+quarters.
+
+Soon there came a response.
+
+"This is the Captain speaking, Admiral," announced the "Hudson's"
+commanding officer. "Although the hour is late, sir, I request
+permission to report to you on a matter of importance."
+
+"I will see you, Captain, in five minutes."
+
+"Thank you, sir. I request permission to bring two officers with me."
+
+"Permission is granted, Captain."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+Hanging up the transmitter, Captain Allen sank back in his chair.
+
+"Is there anything else, gentlemen, that you wish to say to me before
+we go to the Admiral?"
+
+"I think I have told you all, sir," Dave replied.
+
+"And I, too," Dalzell added.
+
+Keeping his eye on the clock, Captain Allen presently arose, girded on
+his sword, parted the curtains, and led the way.
+
+"If I am wanted, Orderly, I shall be in the Admiral's quarters."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir."
+
+The three officers then filed rapidly along the deck, presented
+themselves at the Admiral's quarters, and were admitted.
+
+Admiral Timworth was standing at the rear of his cabin when the
+subordinate officers entered. He came quickly forward, instructed his
+orderly to guard the door, then turned to his visitors.
+
+"I believe it will be best, with your permission, sir," began Captain
+Allen, "to let Mr. Darrin make his report to you."
+
+"Mr. Darrin will proceed, then."
+
+So Dave repeated the story he had told the Captain. Admiral Timworth
+listened until the recital had been finished, and then asked several
+questions.
+
+"It does not sound like a hoax," commented Admiral Timworth, at last.
+"Yet it is impossible for me to conceive how two British battleships
+are to be sunk near Malta, or near anywhere else, and Americans blamed
+for the act. Captain Allen, can you imagine any way in which such a
+thing might be effected?"
+
+"I cannot, sir."
+
+"The subject must be given careful thought," declared the Admiral. "By
+the way, Mr. Darrin, do you think you could identify those two men who
+talked of the proposed destruction of the British battleships?"
+
+"I am positive that I could do so, sir," Dave rejoined, "provided they
+were not disguised."
+
+"Then you may meet them again, as we shall stop at various
+Mediterranean ports. If you do, sir, I wish you to report to me
+anything that you may find out about them. Mr. Dalzell did not see
+them, did he?"
+
+"I may have passed them, sir," Dan replied, "but I would not know
+them, if meeting them, as the men whom Mr. Darrin mentions."
+
+"Then, Captain, you will see to it," directed the Admiral, "that Mr.
+Dalzell has shore leave whenever Mr. Darrin does. The two young men
+will go ashore together so that Mr. Darrin, if opportunity presents,
+may indicate the plotters to Mr. Dalzell."
+
+The Captain and the young officers bowed their understanding of this
+order.
+
+"The presence of Gortchky here, taken with what Mr. Darrin overheard
+those men talking about, and coupled with what took place on the mole
+at Gibraltar, leads me to believe that some foreign government has
+plans for involving the United States government in serious
+complications," resumed the Admiral, after a pause. "Gortchky is not
+in charge of any very extensive plot. He is simply a tool of greater
+minds, and it may easily be that the pair whom Mr. Darrin overheard
+are those who are directing Gortchky in some really big and dangerous
+scheme. By the way, gentlemen, was either of you introduced to any
+young or charming woman ashore?"
+
+"We were both presented to the Countess Ripoli, sir," Darrin answered,
+at once.
+
+"And at the Countess's request, I took a little turn with her on one
+of the verandas, sir," Dan added.
+
+"Tell me all about the Countess and your meeting with her, Mr.
+Dalzell," Admiral Timworth directed.
+
+So Dan plunged at once into a narration of his chat with the Countess,
+to which Admiral Timworth listened attentively.
+
+"Ripoli?" he mused aloud, at last. "I do not recall the name as that
+of a supposed secret service agent. Ripoli? Let me see."
+
+From a drawer of his desk the Admiral drew out an indexed book. He
+turned over, presumably, to the letter "R," then scanned the writing
+on several pages.
+
+"She has not been reported to me as a suspected secret service agent
+of any country," said the fleet commander, aloud. "Yet she may very
+likely be a spy in the service of some ring of international
+trouble-makers. I will enter her name now, though I cannot place
+anything positive against it."
+
+"If either of us should meet the Countess Ripoli again, sir," queried
+Dan, "have you any orders, sir, in that event?"
+
+"If you do meet her," replied the admiral, "do not be too distant with
+her, and do not let her see that she is in any sense under suspicion.
+Just treat her as you would any charming woman whom you might meet
+socially. However, should you meet her again, you may report the fact
+to me. I shall doubtless have some further instructions for you,
+gentlemen, but that is all for the present. Captain, you will remain."
+
+Formally saluting their superiors, Dave and Dan withdrew and returned
+to Dave's quarters. For half an hour Dan remained chatting with Dave,
+then went to his own quarters.
+
+By daylight the "Hudson" was under way again, bound for Naples. Dan
+and Dave were called to stand their watches, and life on the
+battleship went on as usual.
+
+It was but an hour after daylight when Admiral Timworth, who had
+remained up the rest of the night with Flag Lieutenant Simpson, sent a
+long message to the Navy Department at Washington. The message
+crackled out over the "Hudson's" wireless aerials, and was soon
+afterward received in Washington at the huge naval wireless station
+there.
+
+"Good night, Simpson," said the Admiral, when his flag lieutenant
+reported that the message was in the hands of the wireless operator.
+
+"Shall I leave any instructions for your being called, sir?" asked
+Lieutenant Simpson.
+
+"Have me called at ten o'clock, unless a reply from the Navy
+Department should arrive earlier. In that case have me called at
+once."
+
+The flag lieutenant is the personal aide of the fleet commander.
+
+If the Admiral received an interesting reply from the Navy Department
+during the voyage to Naples, he at least concealed the fact from
+Ensigns Darrin and Dalzell. Ensigns, however, are quite accustomed to
+reserve on the part of admirals.
+
+It was one o'clock one sunny afternoon when the "Hudson" entered the
+Bay of Naples. Her anchorage having already been assigned by wireless
+by the port authorities at Naples, the "Hudson" came to anchor close
+to the "Kennebec" and "Lowell" of the Mediterranean Fleet. Admiral
+Timworth now had three war vessels under his own eyes.
+
+At four bells (two o'clock) an orderly called at Dan's and Dave's
+quarters, with orders to report to the Admiral at once.
+
+When the two young ensigns reached the Admiral's quarters they found
+Lieutenant Simpson there also.
+
+"Be seated, gentlemen," directed the Admiral.
+
+For a few moments Admiral Timworth shuffled papers on his desk,
+glancing briefly at some of them.
+
+"Now, gentlemen," said the Admiral, wheeling about in his chair and
+looking impressively at Darrin and Dalzell, "it seems to me I had
+better preface my remarks by giving you some idea of the Fleet's
+unusual and special mission in the Mediterranean. That may lead you to
+a better comprehension of why a certain foreign power should wish to
+create, between Great Britain and the United States, a situation that
+would probably call for war between the two greatest nations of the
+world."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+ON LIVELY SPECIAL DUTY
+
+
+"In the first place," resumed the Admiral, "you must know that
+relations between Great Britain and the United States are, and for
+some time have been, of an especially cordial nature. Throughout the
+great war Great Britain has been compelled to buy a large part of her
+food and munitions in the United States. Except for her being able to
+do so she would have been forced out of the war and the Entente Allies
+would have been defeated. There are Englishmen who will make you feel
+that the saving force of the United States is greatly appreciated in
+England, just as there are other Englishmen who will remark stupidly
+that the United States as a seller, has had a great opportunity to
+grow rich at England's expense.
+
+"There can be no doubt that thinking Englishmen are prepared to go to
+almost any extent to cultivate and keep the friendship of the United
+States, just as duller-witted Englishmen declare that the United
+States depends upon England for existence.
+
+"During the present war Great Britain has felt compelled to impose
+certain blockade restrictions upon our commerce with neutral powers in
+Europe. This has hampered our commerce to some extent, and there are
+many in the United States who feel deep resentment, and favor taking
+any steps necessary to compel England to abandon her interference with
+our merchant marine. Some Englishmen take an almost insolent attitude
+in the matter, while others beg us to believe that England hinders
+some of our commerce only in order to preserve her own national life.
+In other words, if she did not carefully regulate the world's trade
+with, for instance, Denmark and Holland, those countries would sell
+much of their importations to Germany, whereby the duration of the war
+would be prolonged by reason of help obtained by Germany in that
+manner.
+
+"As you can readily understand, the situation is full of delicate
+points, and many sensibilities are wounded. There have been times when
+only a spark was needed to kindle a serious blaze of mutual wrath
+between Great Britain and the United States. And you may be sure there
+are some governments in this world that would be delighted to see
+feelings of deep hostility engendered between Britons and Americans.
+
+"At present, however, there seems to be not the slightest cloud over
+the relations between Great Britain and our country.
+
+"Now, Mr. Darrin, you have obtained clues to a startling plot that has
+for its object the causing of distrust between the two greatest
+nations. If one or more British warships should be sunk, by some means
+that we do not at present know, and if the blame could be plausibly
+laid against Americans, there would be hot-tempered talk in England
+and a lot of indignant retort from our country. It would seem
+preposterous that any Englishman could suspect the American government
+of destroying British warships, and just as absurd to think that
+Americans could take such a charge seriously. Yet in the relations
+between nations the absurd thing often does happen. Should England
+lose any warships it would seem that only Germany or Austria could be
+blamed, yet it might be possible for plotters to manage the thing so
+successfully, and with so much cleverness, that the United States
+would really seem to be proven to be the guilty party. Our duty as
+officers of the Navy can be performed only by frustrating the hideous
+plot altogether.
+
+"So, Ensigns Darrin and Dalzell, while we are at Naples you will spend
+as much of your time as possible on shore. You will go about
+everywhere, as though to see the sights of the city and as if bent on
+getting your fill of pleasure. Unless under pressing need you will not
+be extravagant in your expenditures, but will conduct yourselves as
+though sight-seeing within the limits of your modest pay as ensigns.
+You will, however, not be put to any expense in the matter, as all
+your expenditures will be returned to you out of an emergency fund in
+my hands.
+
+"Your object in going ashore will be to report if you see Gortchky in
+Naples. I feel rather certain that the fellow is already there. You,
+Mr. Darrin, will also keep your eyes wide open for a sight of either
+or both of that pair whom you overheard talking at Monte Carlo. You
+will also note and report if you find the Countess Ripoli in Naples."
+
+"And if we meet her and if she speaks to us, sir?" asked Dalzell.
+"What if she even wishes to entertain us, or to claim our escort?"
+
+"Do whatever you can to please the Countess," replied the Admiral,
+promptly. "Be agreeable to her in any way that does not interfere with
+other and more important duties to which I have assigned you."
+
+Judging by a sign from the fleet commander that the interview was now
+at an end, Dave and Dan rose, standing at attention.
+
+"Perhaps I have given you a wrong impression in one particular,"
+Admiral Timworth continued. "I do not wish you to understand,
+gentlemen, that I have intimated that any power, or any combination
+of powers, has directly ordered any act that would lead to the sinking
+of British warships. Governments, even the worst, do not act in that
+way. The thing which the power I have in mind may have done is to give
+certain secret agents a free hand to bring about war between England
+and the United States. Undoubtedly, the secret agents at the bottom of
+this conspiracy have been left free to choose their own methods. Thus
+the foreign government interested in this conspiracy could feel that
+it did not _order_ the commission of a crime, no matter what might
+happen as the result. Now, gentlemen, have you any questions to ask?"
+
+"None, sir," Dave Darrin responded immediately.
+
+"None, sir," echoed Dalzell.
+
+"Then you may go," rejoined Admiral Timworth, rising and returning the
+parting salutes of the young officers.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It was presently noised about among the ship's company that Ensigns
+Darrin and Dalzell had been ordered ashore on special duty.
+
+"How did you work it?" Lieutenant Barnes irritably demanded of Danny
+Grin.
+
+"Why? Do you want to work a trick yourself?" asked Dalzell,
+unsympathetically.
+
+"No such luck for me," growled Barnes. "While in port I am ordered to
+take charge of shifting stores below decks."
+
+"Fine!" approved Dan.
+
+"And I wish I had you for junior officer on that detail," growled
+Barnes.
+
+"If I get tired of staying ashore," Danny Grin proposed genially,
+"I'll make humble petition to be assigned as junior on your detail."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+M. DALNY PLANS A TRAGEDY
+
+
+"Say, I wonder if these people call this a square deal," muttered
+Danny Grin, as he surveyed the dish that the waiter had just left for
+him. "I called for ham and eggs and potatoes, and the fellow has
+brought me chicken and this dish of vegetables that none but a native
+could name."
+
+"Call the waiter back and ask him to explain his mistake," Ensign
+Darrin suggested, smilingly.
+
+"I can't talk their lingo," returned Dalzell plaintively.
+
+"Nor can I speak much of it, either," admitted Dave.
+
+"Can you speak any Italian?"
+
+"Only a little, and very badly at that."
+
+"Where did you learn Italian?" demanded Danny Grin.
+
+"From an Italian-American cook on board our ship," Darrin explained.
+
+"Whew! You must have done that while I was asleep," Dalzell
+complained.
+
+"I don't know enough Italian to carry me very far," laughed Darrin.
+"Perhaps between two and three hundred useful words, and some of the
+parts of a few verbs. Let me see just what you thought you were
+ordering."
+
+Dan held out a somewhat soiled bill of fare on which the names of the
+dishes were printed in Italian and English.
+
+"I tried to pronounce the Italian words right," Dan went on, with a
+grimace.
+
+"Let me hear you read the words over again," Dave begged.
+
+Dan did so, his comrade's smile deepening.
+
+"Dan," said Dave dryly, "you speak Italian as though it were French.
+Italian is too delicate a language for that treatment."
+
+"But what am I to do about this chicken?" Danny Grin persisted.
+
+"Eat it," suggested Darrin, "and use some of your time ashore in
+getting closer to the Italian language."
+
+Dave was served with just what he had ordered for a pleasing meal--an
+omelet, spaghetti and Neapolitan tomatoes, with dessert to follow.
+
+"I'm no great admirer of chicken, and I did want ham," sighed Dan, as
+he glanced enviously at his chum's dainty food. Nevertheless Ensign
+Dalzell ate his meal with an air of resignation that greatly amused
+Dave Darrin.
+
+The restaurant was one of the largest and handsomest to be found along
+that great thoroughfare of Naples, the Riviera di Chiaja. The place
+would seat perhaps four hundred guests. At this hour of the day there
+were about half that number of persons present, many of whom were
+Americans.
+
+The chums had succeeded in obtaining a small table by themselves,
+close to an open window that overlooked the sidewalk.
+
+Watching the throngs that passed, both on foot and in carriages of
+many types, the young naval officers felt certain that at no other
+point could they obtain as good a general view of the city of Naples.
+Many well-to-do Italians were afoot, having sold their carriages and
+automobiles in order to buy the war bonds of their country. As there
+were several Italian warships in port, sailors from these craft were
+ashore and mingling with the throng. Soldiers home on sick leave from
+the Austrian frontier were to be seen. Other men, who looked like mere
+lads, wore new army uniforms proudly. These latter were the present
+year's recruits, lately called to the colors and drilling for the work
+that lay ahead of them, work in deadly earnest against hated Austria.
+
+All that went on before the cafe was interesting enough. It was not,
+however, until near the end of the meal that anything happened of
+personal interest to Dave and Dan.
+
+Then there was a quick step behind them, next a voice cried gaily:
+
+"My dear Monsieur Darrin, who could have expected to see you here?"
+
+"Any one who knew that my ship is in the harbor might have expected to
+see me here," replied Dave, rising and smiling. "How do you do,
+Monsieur le Comte?"
+
+It was indeed the Count of Surigny, and that dapper, well-set-up young
+Frenchman was nattily dressed, smiling, and with an unmistakable air
+of prosperity about him.
+
+Dan had also risen. Then as the three seated themselves Dave inquired
+what refreshment his friend of Monte Carlo would allow them the
+pleasure of ordering for him. The Count asked only for a cup of
+coffee, after which the chat went merrily on.
+
+"My dear Darrin, I rejoice to be able to tell you that I have
+determined never again to visit Monte Carlo," said the Count.
+"Moreover, I am prosperous and happy. Ah, what a debt of gratitude I
+owe you! I know you must be wondering why I am not serving my country
+in the trenches."
+
+"I knew you must have some good reason for not serving in the French
+army at such a time," Dave replied.
+
+"I tried to enter the army," Surigny replied, "but the surgeons
+refused to pass me. One of my eyes is too weak, and there is, besides,
+some little irregularity in the action of my heart that would make it
+impossible for me to endure the hardships of a soldier. So, despite my
+protests and entreaties, the surgeons have refused to accept me for
+military service."
+
+"Is it permitted to ask if you have found employment?" Dave inquired.
+
+"I have found employment of a sort," the Count rattled on, without a
+shade of embarrassment. "It might be questioned if I am worth the
+remuneration which I receive, but at least I am happy. I am permitted
+to serve a friend in some little matters of a personal nature."
+
+That answer was enough to prevent Dave from making any further
+inquiries as to the Count's new means of a livelihood.
+
+"It gives me the greatest happiness to be able to see you again, and
+to hear your voice," continued the Count. "I am here in Naples only as
+a matter of accident, and it may be that my stay here will be short. I
+was at a table in the rear with a friend when I espied you sitting
+here. Is it permitted that I bring my friend over and present him?"
+
+"We shall be delighted to meet any friend of yours, Surigny," Dave
+replied pleasantly.
+
+"Then I shall bring him here at once," replied the Frenchman,
+lightly, rising and moving rapidly away.
+
+"I wonder what line of work the Count can be in now," mused Dalzell,
+aloud. "It would appear to be something that pays him very well and
+allows him to travel. I wonder if the friend he is to introduce to us
+is the one that employs him."
+
+"We shall know that if Count Surigny chooses to inform us," smiled
+Dave.
+
+Then their talk ceased, for they heard the Count's voice in
+conversation with some one as he came up behind them.
+
+"My dear Monsieur Darrin," cried the Count, "I am honored in being
+able to present to you Monsieur Dalny."
+
+Ensign Darrin rose, wheeled and thrust out his hand. Then his eyes
+turned to the newcomer's face.
+
+Nor could the young naval officer repress a slight start, for M. Dalny
+was unmistakably one of the two men whom he had overheard on the
+veranda of the Casino at Monte Carlo.
+
+"Monsieur Darrin," replied M. Dalny, accepting Dave's hand, "I feel
+that I am indeed honored in being able to meet one who, I understand,
+has been such a friend to my friend the Count of Surigny. I shall hope
+to see much of you."
+
+Dalny was then introduced to Dalzell, after which, at Dave's
+invitation, the newcomers seated themselves. Fresh coffee was ordered.
+
+But Dave Darrin's head was now in a good deal of a whirl.
+
+As to the identity of M. Dalny, there could be no mistake whatever.
+And here was the Count of Surigny, evidently in the friendship of this
+plotter against the American Navy. It was not unlikely that the Count,
+too, was in the employ of this enemy of the United States.
+
+"What can this whole thing mean, and does Surigny _know_ that he is
+working against the peace and honor of my country?" Dave asked
+himself, his pulses throbbing.
+
+"Are you to be here long at Naples, Monsieur Darrin?" Dalny soon asked
+in his most velvet-like tones.
+
+"I really haven't the least idea, Monsieur Dalny," Dave replied
+truthfully, forcing a smile. "I am not deep in the confidence of
+Admiral Timworth."
+
+"I thought it very likely," purred Monsieur Dalny, "that you might
+have heard from your officers as to how many days of shore liberty are
+likely to be granted your sailors."
+
+"Oh, probably we shall--" began Dan, who found the French conversation
+easy to understand in this instance.
+
+But the slightest of signs from Darrin was sufficient to check
+Dalzell's intended statement. So Danny Grin merely finished:
+
+"Probably we shall hear soon how long our stay here is to be."
+
+"Are you interested, Monsieur Dalny, in the length of our stay here?"
+queried Ensign Dave, gazing carelessly into the eyes of the stranger.
+
+"Oh, it is but a matter of idle curiosity to me," replied the other,
+shrugging his shoulders amiably. "Just as you understand it would be a
+matter of a little curiosity, my dear Monsieur Darrin, to know whether
+the American fleet now in the harbor here will keep together for the
+next few weeks, and what ports you will visit. But I imagine that you
+have, as yet, no information on such points."
+
+Dave did not reply to M. Dalny's remarks, who, however, did not appear
+to notice the omission. Drawing forth a long cigar and lighting it,
+Dalny puffed away, seeming to prefer, after that, to listen to the
+conversation of the others.
+
+"Who can this Monsieur Dalny be?" Dave asked himself, racking his
+brain. "And of what nationality? The word 'Monsieur' is French in
+itself, though Dalny is hardly a French name. Perhaps it makes little
+difference, though, for men who sell their time and services as I am
+afraid this Dalny fellow is doing, are quite likely to masquerade
+under assumed names."
+
+Presently M. Dalny excused himself for a few moments. Sauntering
+toward the rear of the restaurant, he stepped into a side passage,
+then made a quick entrance into a private room, the door of which he
+instantly locked. He now crossed the room and stood before the
+solitary diner in that room.
+
+"My dear Mender!" cried Dalny.
+
+"Your face betrays interest, Dalny," remarked the other, who was the
+older of the pair whom Dave had heard on the Casino veranda.
+
+"And I am interested," continued Dalny, in a low tone. "I have met the
+two young officers from the American flagship."
+
+"That is what you are here to do," smiled Monsieur Mender.
+
+"The fellow Darrin refuses me any information about the movements of
+the American fleet."
+
+"That was perhaps to be expected," answered Mender reflectively.
+
+"But I fear matters are worse than that," Dalny went on hurriedly.
+
+"Explain yourself, Dalny."
+
+"Darrin did not see my face until he rose to greet me, when Surigny
+introduced us," continued Dalny. "Then he started, slightly, yet most
+plainly. Monsieur Mender, that young American naval officer knows
+something about us."
+
+"Not very likely, Dalny."
+
+"Then he at least suspects something."
+
+"Why should he?"
+
+"Monsieur Mender," hurried on Dalny, "you recall that evening on the
+Casino veranda at Monte Carlo? You and I, as we approached a little
+grove of potted trees, talked rather more incautiously than we should
+have done."
+
+"It was an indiscretion, true," nodded the white-haired Mender
+thoughtfully.
+
+"And, afterwards, as you know, I told you I thought I heard someone
+move behind those little trees."
+
+"And so--?"
+
+"I suspect, Monsieur Mender, that it was Ensign Darrin, of the
+battleship 'Hudson,' who stood behind those trees, and who overheard
+us."
+
+"I wish I knew if such were the case," replied M. Mender huskily, his
+face paling with anxiety.
+
+"If Darrin overheard our talk, he doubtless reported it to his
+superior officers," declared Dalny.
+
+"Unquestionably--if he really heard," admitted Mender.
+
+"Then that pair of young officers, for they are close friends, must
+have been sent ashore to see if they could get track of the numerous
+party whom you direct, my dear Monsieur Mender."
+
+"You believe that the two young American officers are ashore in Naples
+as spies upon us?" questioned Mender, his tone cold and deadly.
+
+"It would seem so," Dalny answered readily.
+
+"In that case--" began Mender, slowly, then paused.
+
+"In that case--what?" demanded Dalny, after waiting a few moments
+while his chief reflected.
+
+"It would mean that the Italian authorities, as soon as informed of
+what is suspected against us, would send out their keenest men to
+locate us, and then we should be arrested."
+
+"What could be done to us?" queried Dalny.
+
+"In these war days not very much evidence is required against men who
+are accused of being spies, my excellent Dalny. We might or we might
+not be accorded a trial, but one thing is quite sure; we would be shot
+to death on the charge of being spies."
+
+As he pronounced these significant words Mender shrugged his
+shoulders. His manner was cool, one would have said almost
+unconcerned.
+
+"You are right," agreed the younger plotter. "The Italians, like all
+the other peoples engaged in this war, hate spies bitterly, and would
+be quick to mete out death to us."
+
+"It would be desirable," Mender proceeded, "to prevent the young
+officers from going back aboard their ship."
+
+"How?" asked Dalny, bluntly.
+
+Mender laughed, cold-bloodedly, in a low tone.
+
+"In Naples," he explained, "there are, as you know, my dear Dalny,
+hundreds of bravos, some of whom are the most desperate fellows in the
+world--men who would stick at nothing to earn a few _lira_. And they
+will ask no awkward questions as to which country they serve in aiding
+us."
+
+"Then you would have Darrin and Dalzell seized, by night, by some of
+these bravos, and carried away to a secure place where they could be
+confined until your plans have been carried through?" inquired Dalny,
+thoughtfully.
+
+"It is always dangerous to have banditti seize men and hide them away,
+especially in a country that is engaged in war," replied Mender,
+slowly. "Now, if, in one of the narrow, dark streets of Old Naples,
+these young Americans were settled by a few quiet thrusts with the
+blade, their bodies might then be dropped into a sewer. The bodies
+might not be found for weeks. On the other hand, captives, no matter
+how securely hidden, may find means to escape, and all our care in the
+matter would go for naught. Besides, these Sicilian bravos of Naples
+much prefer to settle a man with one or two quick thrusts with a
+narrow blade, and then--But what is the matter, Dalny? Does the use of
+the knife terrify you?"
+
+"No!" replied Dalny, huskily. "I was merely thinking that, if a man
+like either Darrin or Dalzell escaped from a knife, after seeing its
+flash, and if he suspected me of being behind the attempt, either
+young man would be likely to lay hold of me and snap my spine."
+
+"If you are fearful of the chances and of the possible consequences,
+Dalny," replied Mender coldly, "you may withdraw."
+
+"No, no, no!" protested Dalny quickly. "You are my chief, Monsieur
+Mender, and whatever you wish I shall do."
+
+Mender puffed for a few moments at a Russian cigarette, before he
+again spoke.
+
+"Dalny," he said, "you may be sure I do not distrust either your
+loyalty or your courage. Go back to your Americans. Detain them as
+long as needful at the table, no matter by what arts. Within twenty
+minutes I shall have a leader of Neapolitan bravos here, and I shall
+have a plan to unfold to him. Then he will go and post his men. You
+will receive instructions from me that you cannot mistake. You are
+right in fearing Darrin and Dalzell. We can afford to take no chances.
+That pair of young American officers shall have no chance of reporting
+our presence in Naples to their superior officers. Sooner than permit
+the least risk of interference with our plans I shall remove them from
+our way."
+
+"Darrin and Dalzell are to be killed, then?" asked Dalny hoarsely.
+
+"They shall be snuffed out," replied Mender, flicking the ash from his
+cigarette. "Go, Dalny, and do your part as far as you have heard it
+from me. I will attend to the rest. Do not be uneasy."
+
+Dalny made a low bow before his cold-blooded chief, then left the
+private room, returning to Ensigns Darrin and Dalzell, whose death,
+under the knives of cowardly treachery, he must do his best to help
+bring about!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+TREACHERY HAS THE FLOOR
+
+
+"You will not have much time for sight-seeing, I am afraid," Count
+Surigny was saying, as Monsieur Dalny soft-footedly returned to the
+table.
+
+"I do not know how much time we shall have," Dave answered.
+
+"If you have but little time, then it will be most unfortunate," spoke
+Dalny softly, with his engaging smile. "Naples is vastly rich in
+things that are worth while seeing."
+
+"We are not likely to have the time to see many of them," Darrin
+answered.
+
+"That is most unfortunate," replied the Count, in a regretful tone.
+
+"Yet there is a way to partly overcome that misfortune," suggested Mr.
+Dalny.
+
+"How, Monsieur?" inquired Darrin, turning his gaze on the face of the
+international plotter.
+
+"Why, secure a good guide, engage a carriage drawn by good horses, and
+then move from point to point as fast as possible," replied Dalny. "I
+know Naples well. Perhaps I can offer my services for, say, this
+evening."
+
+"Are the public places of interest likely to be open in the evening?"
+questioned Dave.
+
+"Not the museums," admitted M. Dalny. "But there are many other things
+to be seen. Naples has several beautiful parks. Some of them contain
+notable statues. These parks are the nightly resort of all classes of
+the Italian community, who are always worth observing. Then, too,
+there are many curious glimpses to be had of the night life of the
+underworld of Naples. In a word, Monsieur Darrin, there are enough
+night sights, of one kind and another, to fill profitably a month in
+Naples. And, as I know the city, you may command me. I will be your
+guide. Shall we go to-night?"
+
+"Where could we go, with the most advantage in the matter of
+sight-seeing?" Dave asked.
+
+"Out toward Vomero," suggested young Count Surigny.
+
+"Too fashionable, and very dull," replied Dalny, with a shake of his
+head.
+
+"Then where?" asked Dan.
+
+But Dalny's reply was lost to him, for at that moment Darrin, holding
+a rolled napkin at one side of the table, and below the level of the
+table top, waved it slowly back and forth. Dan was the only one of the
+party at the table who could see the moving napkin. By this simple
+wig-wag signal device Dave Darrin sent to his chum the silent
+message:
+
+"Dalny is one of the plotters I overheard on the Casino veranda. Think
+he suspects us. Follow my lead."
+
+The instant that the message ended Dan glanced slowly around him, then
+upward at the ceiling.
+
+Soon Dalny's interest in the table talk waned for outside on the
+sidewalk he caught sight of a young Neapolitan dandy, standing on the
+curb, his back turned to the restaurant as he swung a jaunty little
+cane. The motions of that cane spelled out a message that only Dalny,
+of all the party at the table, could read. And that message read:
+
+"Get carriage, take Americans for drive at dark. Finally, direct
+driver to turn into the Strada di Mara. Leave carriage with Americans
+when urged by shop-keeper."
+
+That was the whole message. It was plain enough, however, to instruct
+Dalny as fully as he needed to be directed. The scoundrel, as he
+watched the swinging movements of the cane, looked out into the street
+between half-closed eyelids, slowly puffing out rings of smoke from
+his long cigar.
+
+"We are becoming dull, good friends," laughed Dalny presently,
+glancing at the others. "Suppose we order more coffee."
+
+"No more for me, thank you," protested Dave.
+
+"But you have had hardly any coffee," Dalny declared.
+
+"I am ready to admit that I can't keep up with the average American in
+drinking coffee," Dave replied.
+
+"But you will have more, my dear Dalzell," urged Dalny.
+
+Dan, who was inwardly agitated over the information he had received
+secretly from his chum, looked at Dalny almost with a start. In Dan's
+soul there was loathing for this foreigner with the engaging smile.
+
+"I do not believe I can stand any more coffee," confessed Dan.
+
+"So you and I, Surigny, must drink all the coffee at this table," said
+Dalny, with a shrug of his shoulders.
+
+"I can drink a little more," replied the Count.
+
+The day was now rapidly waning, bringing on a balminess of evening
+such as is found in few places other than Naples. The streets were
+becoming crowded with pedestrians.
+
+"Waiter," called Dalny, "you will be good enough to secure for us a
+carriage with good horses. Get it as quickly as you can."
+
+But the waiter, perceiving a signal from Dalny, knew that the carriage
+must not arrive too soon.
+
+In the meantime Dave scanned the bill that had been presented for the
+meal, then laid a banknote on the bill. The waiter, returning,
+attended to the paying of the bill and received his "tip" from the
+change that he brought back.
+
+The party lingered at the table to wait for the arrival of the
+carriage that was intended to convey Dave Darrin and Dan Dalzell to
+their death.
+
+"My dear Count," said Dalny presently, "I regret much that the
+appointment which you told me you had for this evening will prevent
+you from going with us. Can you not manage to break the appointment
+without doing injustice to others?"
+
+Taking his cue from the manner in which the question was put, the
+Comte of Surigny replied:
+
+"It would delight me beyond measure to be one of the party to-night,
+but it is impossible. My appointment cannot be set aside."
+
+The restaurant was brilliantly lighted, and the street lights had
+begun to flash out as the carriage arrived.
+
+"Now, for a night of real sight-seeing!" cried Dalny, rising eagerly.
+"My dear Americans, I promise you something such as you have never
+before experienced!"
+
+"I am heartily sorry that you are prevented from going with us,
+Surigny," declared Dave, holding out his hand to the young Frenchman.
+
+"I shall pray for better fortune next time," smiled the Count, rather
+sadly.
+
+"We are all desolate that you cannot go with us, Surigny," declared
+Dalny, also holding out his hand. Dan, too, shook hands with Surigny.
+Then the international plotter led the two Americans to the carriage
+awaiting outside.
+
+After the Count of Surigny had waved his hand to the party and had
+walked away, Dalny placed Dave and Dan on the rear seat of the
+barouche, while he himself sat facing them.
+
+A few words in Italian from Dalny, and the horses started. For half an
+hour the driver took his fares past ordinary sights.
+
+"But we are not much interested, driver," cried Dalny, turning at last
+to the man who held the lines. "We are bored with this dullness, when
+Naples holds so much that may be seen by night. Take us through the
+Strada di Mara."
+
+So the driver headed his horses toward the eastern, or older, part of
+the city. The Strada di Mara leads through one of the most thickly
+populated sections of Naples, and a part of the street extends up a
+steep hillside.
+
+"You see how poor the people are here," said Dalny, as the horses
+slowed down to a walk. "We shall come soon, however, to a more
+interesting part of the street. Crime lurks here, also; not the more
+desperate crimes though. The Strada di Mara, in one part, is the
+resort of thieves who wish to dispose of their petty plunder by
+turning it into cash. And, as strange merchandise is dealt in here,
+the shops offer a variety of wares. We will presently look into one or
+two of the shops."
+
+"What on earth can Dalny be driving at?" wondered young Ensign Darrin.
+"Can he think that we would enter such shops, and buy the plunder that
+thieves have sold there?"
+
+At the next street corner an Italian lad with a sweet voice began to
+sing. Danny Grin noticed that most of the people in this steep, narrow
+alley, that was by courtesy called a street, were now going indoors.
+Only a man here and there remained outside.
+
+"That's curious," thought Dan to himself. "Don't these people like
+music, that a street singer should drive them inside?"
+
+When the carriage had passed on to the next block a man came out of a
+shop and waved his hand to the driver, who promptly reined in his
+horses.
+
+"Gentlemen," urged the shop-keeper, in English, "be kind enough to
+step inside and look at some of the bargains I am offering."
+
+Dave, who understood, whispered to Dalny:
+
+"It can hardly be worth while to get out and look at what is probably
+stolen goods."
+
+"On the contrary," rejoined Dalny, "this man is likely to show us some
+things that will help me in explaining the interesting points of
+Naples to you. Come!"
+
+Opening the door of the carriage, the international plotter stepped
+out, leading the way. Of course Dave and Dan followed him.
+
+It now turned out that the Italian's shop was some doors farther up
+along this block. As he led the way, and Dalny and the Americans
+followed, neither young officer observed that the driver had turned
+his horses around and was driving away.
+
+At the same time, the few men now on the sidewalk of this block
+started to close in on the little party.
+
+Tragedy was stepping across the threshold!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+HEMMED IN BY THE BRAVOS
+
+
+Suddenly out of a doorway lurched a big Sicilian, seemingly
+intoxicated.
+
+He lurched against Dave, then drew back, scowling fiercely at the
+young ensign.
+
+"Your mistake, sir," spoke Darrin, purposely using English.
+
+Dave would have passed, but now the fellow placed himself squarely in
+Darrin's way.
+
+"You have struck me!" snarled the Sicilian in his own language. "Why?"
+
+Then, uttering a peculiar cry, the man, with a movement of wonderful
+swiftness, drew a knife. In the dim light that blade flashed like
+subdued fire.
+
+"One, two, three--out!" gritted Dave Darrin, leaping forward.
+
+Striking up the fellow's arm, Dave caught at the knife-wrist. He
+twisted it savagely and the weapon clattered to the rough pavement.
+
+Bump! Dave struck the fellow hard between the eyes, sending him to
+earth, where he lay still.
+
+Dan, now keenly alert, discovered that the pretended shop-keeper had
+also drawn a knife.
+
+"To quarters!" yelled Danny Grin.
+
+"Back to back!" shouted Dave, placing his shoulders close to his
+chum's. "Dan, we must fight for our lives. The lives of all these
+cattle are not worth a scratch on our bodies! Down 'em!"
+
+"We'll make ten-pins of 'em," hissed Dalzell.
+
+And Monsieur Dalny? That honorable gentleman was now scuttling down
+the street to safety.
+
+The fight that followed was a mixture of boxing, football tactics and
+sheer Yankee grit that Dave and Dan now employed as they faced more
+than half a dozen scoundrels armed with the long, thin knives of the
+bravos of Naples.
+
+Bump! Ensign Darrin struck up the arm of the first scoundrel to reach
+for him. In a twinkling Dave had broken that rascal's right wrist,
+forcing the fellow to drop his weapon.
+
+Like a flash Dave caught his victim up, holding him overhead and
+sending the bravo, heels first, into the face of another scoundrel.
+The man, struck by this human missile, went to earth dazed, and with a
+broken jaw to boot.
+
+Dalzell, too, was proving the stuff that was in him. Dodging a
+descending hand that held a knife, then landing a smashing blow over
+the fellow's heart, Dan sent him to earth. At that instant a knife
+would have gone through Danny Grin's ribs had not Dalzell let one of
+his feet fly with such speed and skill as to break another bravo's
+shin-bone.
+
+Crouching low, Dave received still another assailant. Seizing him
+below the knees, then rising, he hurled the ruffian over backward on
+his head, the fall nearly snapping the owner's spine at the neck and
+leaving him unconscious.
+
+Two more men were quickly downed, and seemed inclined to stay there.
+The young ensigns had not received a scratch so far, which was due as
+much to luck as to their own skill.
+
+Now a wail of terror rose on the air. Two of the bravos took fairly to
+their heels. The rest wavered, then gave way, glaring with sullen
+looks at these young Americans who could fight so terribly without
+weapons.
+
+"Come on!" urged Dave, in a low voice. "Let's get out of here! There
+is no credit in staying here and taking on more fighting. Let's hurry
+while the hurrying is good."
+
+Only one of the bravos was ahead of them as the young naval officers
+began their sprint. That fellow was trying to get out of harm's way,
+but hearing pursuit at his heels, the frightened fellow halted
+suddenly, wheeled and struck out with his knife at Ensign Darrin.
+
+Dave dodged, then landed both fists against the ruffian's ribs,
+knocking the fellow clean through a window with a great crashing of
+glass.
+
+"Hustle!" muttered Dalzell, as he halted to wait for his chum. "There
+may be a hundred more of these fellows who can be called out on a
+single block."
+
+But there was no pursuit. The bravos had had enough. Afterwards it was
+a matter of local report that two of the rascals handled by Darrin and
+Dalzell all but died of their injuries. The Strada di Mara contained
+no bravos reckless enough to follow these incredible Americans on this
+wild night of trouble.
+
+Still sprinting, Dave, with Dan at his heels, overhauled a running
+figure. Dave shot out his right hand, gathering in, by the coat
+collar, Monsieur Dalny.
+
+"My friend," uttered Dave grimly, as he halted the fugitive, "this
+does not appear to be one of your best fighting nights."
+
+"I--I--I--" stammered M. Dalny, his face white. "I--I--"
+
+"So you said before," Dave retorted dryly. "Let it go at that."
+
+"Do you mean to charge that I ran away?" demanded Dalny, with a show
+of injured dignity.
+
+"Certainly not," retorted Dave, ironically. "You were merely trying to
+show two scared Americans the shortest way back to a safe part of
+Naples."
+
+"It's not safe here," whispered Dalny, trembling. "We are almost
+certain to be followed by an enraged mob. Let us use discretion."
+
+The word "discretion" recalled Darrin to the fact that he must not be
+too rough with the fellow through whom he hoped to learn something of
+great interest to Admiral Timworth.
+
+"You are right, Monsieur Dalny," agreed the young ensign. "Let us
+waste little time in getting away from this part of Naples."
+
+No walk could have been too brisk, just then, for Dalny. He was not a
+coward in all things, but he felt a deadly terror of cold steel.
+
+In addition, this international plotter had, just then, a lively
+conviction that friends of the men whom these American officers had
+handled so roughly might, if they overtook him, feel a decided thirst
+for vengeance upon the man who had led such giants against the bravos
+of the Strada di Mara.
+
+"Why are you looking back so often?" Dave asked, as the three gained
+the next corner.
+
+"To see if we are pursued," confessed Dalny.
+
+"That is prudent," Darrin smiled, "yet hardly necessary."
+
+"What do you mean?" asked the international plotter.
+
+[Illustration: "Dave shot out his right hand."]
+
+"Because," explained Dan, grinning, "the only bravos who have any
+reason to be afraid of us to-night are those who might get in front
+of us. Those who keep behind us will have every chance to get away
+unharmed."
+
+"You are a droll pair," muttered Dalny.
+
+"And, unless I am greatly in error, my fine fellow, you led us into
+that trap for the purpose of having something bad happen to us,"
+muttered Dave, but he kept the words behind his teeth, for he did not
+care, as yet, to come to an open quarrel with this fellow.
+
+Before long the three reached one of the broader, well-lighted
+thoroughfares. Here they engaged a driver and carriage, and were soon
+once more in the Riviera di Chiaja.
+
+As they passed one of the larger buildings, Mender, looking down upon
+the avenue through the blinds of a window of a room at the hotel, saw
+the three as they drove past an arc light.
+
+"What can be the matter with that simpleton Dalny?" muttered the
+arch-plotter. "Did he, at the last moment, fail in the courage
+necessary to lead the Americans into the trap that I had baited for
+them?"
+
+Ten minutes later Dalny, closeted with his chief, was relating to that
+astounded leader the story of what had happened in the Strada di Mara.
+
+"I cannot understand it," muttered Mender.
+
+"No more can I," rejoined Dalny. "The Americans are demons when it
+comes to fighting."
+
+"At some point, my good Dalny, you must have bungled the affair."
+
+"Why not say that the fault must have been with your choice of
+bravos?" jeered the subordinate. "Why did you pick out alleged bravos
+who would allow themselves to be put to flight by unarmed men?"
+
+"I must wait until I have a fuller report of this night's
+misadventure," declared Mender. "I dare say that, within a few hours,
+I shall have more exact information."
+
+In this belief Mender was quite right. Before daylight he was visited
+by the leader of the bravos of the Strada di Mara, who announced that
+he must be paid two thousand _lira_ (about four hundred dollars) as
+extra money to be divided among his outraged followers.
+
+In the case that this extra money was not forthcoming, declared the
+leader of the bravos, Mender and his friends might find Naples much
+too dangerous a city for them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+EVIL EYES ON SAILORMAN RUNKLE
+
+
+In the center of a huge room in the Hotel dell' Orso, overlooking the
+Chiaja, Dave Darrin and Dalzell came to a halt.
+
+Below they had just left Dalny in the carriage, and had come straight
+up to their room, which they had engaged when first they came ashore.
+
+They had not, as one might suspect, overlooked the opportunity of
+finding whither Dalny drove after leaving them. For a short,
+broad-shouldered young man, Able Seaman Runkle, U. S. S. "Hudson," had
+been on the lookout for them on the sidewalk.
+
+Runkle, by special order of Captain Allen, U. S. N., was not in
+uniform, but in civilian attire. In another carriage Able Seaman
+Runkle, at Dave's order, followed the conveyance that took Dalny back
+to the appointed meeting place with Mender. The sailorman's carriage
+did not, of course, stop when Dalny's vehicle did, but kept slowly on.
+
+"Shadowing" is often a two-edged tool. When Runkle returned to his
+post he, in turn, was followed by the same dandy who had done the cane
+signaling late in the afternoon.
+
+"That fellow Dalny is almost too bad medicine for me to swallow," Dan
+muttered with a wry smile.
+
+"Of course he is a liar and a villain," Dave returned seriously. "But
+when a man is wanted to do the foulest kind of work, I suppose it must
+be rather hard to find a gentleman to volunteer. Probably Dalny's
+employers feel that they are fortunate enough in being able to obtain
+the services of a fellow who _looks_ like a gentleman."
+
+"He led us into that trap to have us assassinated," Dan declared
+hotly.
+
+"Or else to have us so badly cut up that we would feel, in the future,
+more like minding our own business," suggested Ensign Dave with a
+smile.
+
+"We got out of it all right that time," Dan went on bluntly, "but I
+don't want any more such experiences. The next time we might not have
+luck quite so much on our side."
+
+"What puzzles me," Dave continued, wrinkling his brows, "is why Dalny
+or any of his crowd should want us stabbed."
+
+"They wanted us killed," Dan insisted. "Nothing short of killing us
+would have satisfied those bravos if they had succeeded in getting us
+at their mercy. Yet why should our death be desired?"
+
+"For only one reason," Dave answered, the truth coming to him in a
+flash. "Dalny is here in Naples, for which reason his white-haired
+fellow-plotter is probably here, too. We were sent ashore to find out
+if they are here. When Dalny shook hands with us this afternoon he
+perceived that I recognized him as one whose remarks I undoubtedly had
+overheard at Monte Carlo. He then concluded that I had been sent
+ashore to find out if he were here. He knew, or suspected, that I
+would report my information to the Admiral. Hence the determination to
+kill me, and, since you are with me, to kill you also. Our bodies
+would have been hidden, and the Admiral would have been able only to
+guess why we did not return to the ship. Dan, what hurts me most is
+the practical certainty that the Count of Surigny is now with that
+band of international cut-throats. I had hope for a nobler future for
+the Count, and also I am disappointed to find him working for my
+enemies. He must hate me fearfully because I thwarted his one-time
+purpose to commit suicide!"
+
+"I wouldn't have believed the Count could be so bad," Dan mused. "Yet
+the proof appears to be against him."
+
+"Why, of course he's one of their band," Dave continued. "It's a
+fearful thing to say, but it is plain that I saved only an ingrate and
+a rogue from the crime of suicide. However, Dan, we are losing time. I
+must begin my report to Captain Allen."
+
+At that instant there came a slight scratching sound at the door.
+Tiptoeing to the door, Dalzell opened it far enough to admit Seaman
+Runkle, who, as soon as the door had been closed and locked, promptly
+saluted both young officers.
+
+"What is your report, Runkle?" Dave demanded.
+
+"Your party in the carriage, sir, dismissed the rig at this address,"
+reported the sailorman, handing Ensign Darrin a slip of paper.
+
+"You did well," Dave answered. "Find a seat, Runkle, until I have
+written a note which you are to take aboard to Captain Allen."
+
+Within fifteen minutes the letter was completed. It was not a long
+document, but gave, in brief form, a summary of the adventures and
+discoveries of the two ensigns since coming ashore.
+
+"You will take this aboard, Runkle," Dave directed, "and you will see
+that it reaches Captain Allen, even though he has turned in and has to
+be awakened. You will tell the officer of the deck, with my
+compliments, that such orders were given me by Captain Allen. Now,
+Runkle, don't let anything interfere with your speedy return to the
+ship. Also remember that you may be followed, and that Naples is a bad
+town in which to be trailed at night."
+
+"I'm not afraid of the bad people of Naples, sir," rejoined the
+sailorman, with a quiet smile. "Do you expect me to return to you,
+sir?"
+
+"That will be as Captain Allen directs."
+
+"Very good, sir. Good night, sir."
+
+Able Seaman Runkle was shown out by Ensign Dalzell, who locked the
+door of the room after the departing sailorman.
+
+In the meantime a spy who had followed Runkle back to the Hotel dell'
+Orso had telephoned, in a foreign language little understood in
+Naples, the information concerning that sailorman's reporting to his
+officers, and had added the suggestion that very likely the sailor
+would be sent out to the fleet with a written report.
+
+"I think it highly probable that the sailor _will_ be sent with a
+written report," agreed Mender, at the other end of the telephone
+wire.
+
+"And if the sailor does try to get out to the fleet?" insinuated the
+spy.
+
+"If the man leaves the hotel to go to the water front," commanded
+Mender, in a voice ringing with energy and passion, "see to it that
+he is laid low and that the letter is taken from him. At any cost I
+must have turned over to me any written report that Ensign Darrin
+tries to send to his commanding officer. Nor am I through with Darrin
+himself!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+ORDERS CHANGE IN A MINUTE
+
+
+"Hullo! What does that fellow want?"
+
+Able seaman Runkle was within a block of the mole where the "Hudson's"
+launch was due to cast off at half-past ten o'clock, but he halted in
+his tracks.
+
+From a doorway, a little nearer to the mole, a head was thrust out
+slightly as its owner surveyed the sailorman.
+
+Then the man stepped out of the doorway to the sidewalk. He was a big
+fellow, with something of the slouch and swagger that are to be
+observed in the tough the world over.
+
+Now this stranger stood quite still, sharply regarding the pausing
+sailorman.
+
+"If there are less than six of that breed ahead of me," muttered
+Runkle, staring ahead once more, "then it doesn't make any real
+difference."
+
+Two more men slipped out of dark recesses further on, while, an
+instant later, Runkle became aware that two men, who had not been
+visible a few moments before, were now closing up behind him.
+
+"I wonder what these chaps think they're going to do," mused Runkle,
+his sailor heart quaking not at all, though he scented fight in the
+air. "Hullo!"
+
+Now a sixth man stepped out from a doorway just at his side. With a
+lusty push this sixth man sent Runkle out into the street.
+
+"Where are your manners, my man?" demanded Seaman Runkle, returning to
+the sidewalk. "And what do you mean by that?"
+
+Suddenly the muzzle of a revolver gleamed in Runkle's face, but the
+sailor did not betray any sign of fright.
+
+"Put that down!" ordered Runkle sharply, at the same time making a
+gesture to indicate his command.
+
+A reply was volubly given in Italian, of which Runkle understood not a
+word.
+
+In the few seconds that this was happening the five other swarthy men
+began to close in on the sailor. Runkle lost no time in discovering
+that fact.
+
+A gesture from the man with the pistol showed that he expected Runkle
+to hold up his hands.
+
+"You'd rather see my mitts aloft, eh?" asked the sailor, in a mocking
+voice. "All right, then!"
+
+Up went the sailor's hands, as high as he could raise them. A gleam of
+satisfaction shone in the eyes behind the revolver, but that look
+instantly changed to one of pain.
+
+For Runkle, while holding his hands high, also raised one of his feet.
+That foot went up swiftly, and high enough to land against the lower
+edge of the bravo's pistol wrist. In a jiffy the wrist was broken and
+the pistol came clattering to the pavement.
+
+"Much obliged," offered Runkle, snatching up the weapon. Then he
+raised his voice to yell:
+
+"If there are shipmates within hail let 'em hurry here to keep Jack
+Runkle from killing a few rattlesnakes!"
+
+Just in time to escape the points of two knives, Seaman Runkle backed
+against a stucco wall, thrusting out the revolver and his able left
+fist.
+
+The first two men who leaped at him went down under the impact of that
+fist. A third received a scalp wound from the butt of the revolver.
+Any court would have exonerated the sailorman for killing his
+assailants, but Dave's messenger was much too good-natured to kill
+while there was another path to safety.
+
+That kindliness undid Runkle's defense. As a man rushed him on each
+side a third bravo dropped low in front of him and seized the seaman's
+legs, upsetting him.
+
+"Foul tackle, with a dozen to one!" growled Runkle, as he felt himself
+going down.
+
+Still he laid about, freeing his feet and using them while he plied
+his left fist and struck out with the revolver. Even now he did not
+want to press the trigger of the weapon, which was soon snatched away
+from him.
+
+With hoarse cries, several of the bravos now held the sailor so that
+he could barely squirm.
+
+Swiftly moving fingers roamed rapidly through his pockets. Then one of
+the cowardly assailants snatched out of one of Runkle's pockets a
+letter, muttering a few words to his companions.
+
+Striking a match the thief glanced at the address on the envelope.
+Even if he knew no English he could discern that the envelope was
+addressed to Captain Allen of the "Hudson."
+
+With another quick word the thief vanished through a doorway. Up from
+the enraged sailor leaped those who had been holding him down.
+
+"Sheer off there! Belay! belay!" growled several hoarse voices.
+Rushing up, cat-footed, came a dozen or more fresh-faced, husky young
+jackies from the fleet.
+
+"Come on, mates! The maccaroni-eaters are sneaking away!" yelled the
+foremost of the rescue party, that had come from the mole in answer to
+Runkle's call.
+
+Only two of the Italians were slow enough to be overtaken and
+manhandled by the jackies. The rest of the assailants vanished swiftly
+into nearby houses, the doors to which were instantly closed and
+bolted.
+
+For perhaps twenty seconds the two captured bravos were badly used.
+Then, thoroughly cowed, they were allowed to slip away.
+
+"What happened to you, shipmate?" demanded one of the rescuers.
+
+"Enough!" growled Runkle. "They got my money."
+
+"Much?"
+
+"All I had."
+
+"Tough luck," declared one of the sailors.
+
+"The chap who has your money surely got away before we could reach
+him."
+
+"I've got to get aboard the flagship as soon as I can," exclaimed Able
+Seaman Runkle ruefully.
+
+"The launch leaves in ten minutes, mate," volunteered another. "Those
+of us who are going aboard will now do well to get back to the mole."
+
+So Jack Runkle departed with his rescuers, but his eyes flashed the
+vengeance he would take should he meet his despoiler again.
+
+On the way out to the flagship Runkle sat silent and out of the run of
+talk that was going on around him.
+
+Going up over the side of the "Hudson," Runkle reported himself on
+board, and then added to the officer of the watch, Lieutenant Totten:
+
+"I've a message for the Captain, sir, and have orders to report to
+him immediately on coming aboard."
+
+"Orders from an officer of this ship?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I'll send an orderly to see if the Captain is still awake," replied
+Lieutenant Totten.
+
+"I beg your pardon, sir," Runkle persisted, "but I have orders to say
+that Captain Allen, by his own request, is to be called, if necessary,
+sir, in order to hear my message."
+
+"Very good," nodded Lieutenant Totten, and turned to an orderly,
+sending him to Captain Allen's quarters.
+
+"The Captain will see Seaman Runkle at once," the orderly reported a
+few moments later.
+
+Saluting Lieutenant Totten, Runkle turned and hastily presented
+himself before the door of the Captain's quarters.
+
+"You have something to report, Runkle?" questioned Captain Allen,
+seating himself at his desk.
+
+"Yes, sir. Ensign Darrin gave me a letter to bring to you, sir. It may
+interest you, sir, to know that on my way back to the ship I was
+attacked near the mole by a mob of cut-throats. One of them held me up
+with a revolver, but I got it away from him. Then they all attacked
+me, and soon had me down, sir. One of the rascals took all my money
+and a letter addressed to you."
+
+"Took Ensign Darrin's letter away from you?" demanded Captain Allen,
+looking, as he felt, a good deal disturbed.
+
+"No, sir; not Ensign Darrin's letter, sir," replied Able Seaman
+Runkle, with just a shadow of a grin. "It was a letter addressed to
+you, but I have reason to believe, sir, that Ensign Darrin's letter is
+still safe. If you'll permit me, sir, I'll look for the ensign's
+letter where I placed it, after leaving the ensign and before quitting
+the hotel."
+
+Captain Allen at once nodded his permission. Runkle partly undressed,
+then explored the place where he had concealed Dave's letter.
+
+"What was the other letter addressed to me that was taken away from
+you, Runkle?" questioned the captain, while the search was going on.
+
+"It wasn't really a letter, sir," the sailorman replied, this time
+with a very broad grin. "It was just an envelope addressed to you, and
+filled with blank paper."
+
+"Who addressed that envelope?"
+
+"I did, sir."
+
+"And why?"
+
+"Because I thought that Ensign Darrin's letter might be important, and
+I had an idea that some skulking sneaks might try to take it away from
+me."
+
+Then Runkle, having put his clothing in order, stepped towards
+Captain Allen, holding out an envelope.
+
+"I think, sir, you'll find that this is Ensign Darrin's letter, and
+that it's just as he gave it to me, sir."
+
+Captain Allen hastily broke the seal, took out the enclosure, and read
+rapidly, a frown gathering on his face all the while.
+
+"Runkle," cried the Captain, springing up and placing a hand on the
+sailorman's shoulder, "did Ensign Darrin suggest to you the ruse that
+fooled your assailants?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"You did it on your own initiative?"
+
+"I--I did it out of my own head, sir, if that means the same thing,"
+replied the puzzled sailor slowly.
+
+"It does mean the same thing," continued Captain Allen, "and, Runkle,
+I'm proud of you. That's a good headpiece you have on your shoulders,
+and I shall make note of it on your record. You have shown good
+judgment. You have a head fitted to meet difficulties. You may look
+for promotion in the near future."
+
+"Have I your permission, sir, to ask if that was Ensign Darrin's
+letter and if it was in good order?" asked Runkle.
+
+"It was, my man, thanks to your intelligent and courageous
+performance of duty. Runkle, how much money did the bravos take from
+you?"
+
+"Eighteen dollars in real money, sir, and about two dollars in _lira_
+money."
+
+Sailors sometimes call the Italian money "lira money," because the
+lire, which is worth about the same as the French _franc_, or twenty
+cents, is the common unit of Italian currency. "Lira" is the plural of
+"lire."
+
+"I am afraid you don't like the Italian money very well, Runkle,"
+smiled Captain Allen.
+
+"I don't, sir, and I don't like the people of this country any better.
+Not after the beating I got to-night."
+
+"That wasn't the fault of the Italian people, Runkle," declared the
+Captain. "Toughs in New York would use you at least as badly as did
+the bravos ashore to-night. The Italian people themselves are very
+friendly to us, and the government does all in its power to show its
+friendship for our country. If I were to send ashore complaint of your
+being attacked to-night the police would dragnet the city in an effort
+to find the men who attacked you, and, if found, it would go hard with
+them. But for reasons that I cannot explain to you, no complaint will
+be made. I do not wish the Italian police to know what took place
+to-night. As to the money that you lost, I will have you make
+affidavit before the paymaster, to-morrow, and will see that the money
+is repaid to you. Runkle, you may tell your mates anything you like
+about the fight, but do not mention the fact to any one, that you bore
+with you and were searched by bravos for a letter from Ensign Darrin."
+
+"Very good, sir."
+
+"That is all, Runkle. You may go, but remember that I have you in mind
+as a man of good and quick judgment, and as one who has the courage to
+carry his duty through in the face of any obstacles."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+Saluting, the sailorman left the Captain's quarters. A minute later
+Captain Allen sent an orderly to the Admiral. Three minutes later
+Admiral Timworth received the commanding officer of the flagship.
+
+Quickly Captain Allen placed Dave's letter in his superior officer's
+hands.
+
+"This is live news, indeed," cried the Admiral, as he laid the letter
+down. "Darrin and Dalzell are doing clever work."
+
+"But their work is suspected, sir, as the letter shows. Moreover, the
+fellow spies of Gortchky and Dalny are shadowing our two young
+officers ashore, for the messenger who brought this letter was
+attacked by bravos. Our messenger was robbed of his money and of a
+faked letter with which the sailor had provided himself."
+
+Captain Allen then repeated Runkle's story.
+
+"You have Runkle slated for promotion, of course?" asked Admiral
+Timworth.
+
+"Certainly, sir."
+
+"A man like Runkle, if he keeps to his present promise, should go as
+high in the Navy as it is possible for an enlisted man to go,"
+declared the Admiral. "But, Captain, the organization and desperation
+of our country's enemies worry me. It is plain that some very
+desperate scheme is afoot for making trouble between England and our
+country. That would drag us in against all of the Entente Allies if
+the success of the plot should involve us in war with England at this
+time. The proposed sinking of a British warship is the inkling we have
+had, but the real scheme may be something else. The first clue of all
+that we had, even before Darrin and Dalzell came aboard at Gibraltar,
+came from the American Embassy at Paris. Our Ambassador, under orders
+from Washington, has our secret service at work there, which keeps our
+government directly in touch with many of the doings of international
+plotters. It seems to me highly important that Ensign Darrin should be
+detached long enough from this ship to be sent to Paris, where he
+should repeat to our Ambassador all that he knows, and give close
+descriptions of the spies with whom he has come in contact. Having
+made his report, Darrin can return to the ship at Genoa, which will be
+our next port of call in these waters."
+
+"Would you send Mr. Darrin alone, sir?" asked Captain Allen. "He might
+be trailed and again attacked. Would it not be far better for Ensign
+Dalzell to go with him?"
+
+"Yes, and perhaps it may be as well for Runkle to go, too, as their
+orderly," replied the Admiral, after a moment's hesitation. "There is
+a train leaving for Paris at four in the morning. Where is Lieutenant
+Totten?"
+
+"He will be off watch in an hour, sir."
+
+"Let Lieutenant Totten go ashore to carry my written instructions to
+Ensign Darrin. I will enclose the necessary funds in an envelope with
+my instructions. Totten, on his return to the ship, will be able to
+assure me that the communication reached Ensign Darrin safely, and
+that Darrin, after reading my instructions, which will be brief, tore
+up and burned my letter."
+
+"Shall I send Runkle ashore in uniform or in citizen's dress?" asked
+Captain Allen.
+
+"In citizen's clothes, as before," replied Admiral Timworth. "I will
+call my flag lieutenant. Kindly see that the paymaster is sent to me,
+Captain."
+
+Fifteen minutes later the Admiral's letter of instruction had been
+signed, and a substantial amount of money enclosed.
+
+On coming off deck duty at eight bells, midnight, Lieutenant Totten
+was instructed to order a launch alongside. Then, with the bulky
+envelope in an inner pocket, and accompanied by Seaman Runkle, Totten
+went over the side.
+
+A few minutes later the launch delivered them at the mole, then glided
+out into the bay.
+
+"I hope we shan't run into a gang of hoodlums again," said the
+sailorman respectfully.
+
+"I have my revolver with me," smiled the lieutenant. "The Italian
+police would feel grateful if I sank its six bullets into six bravos
+of Naples."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+DAN HAS VERY "COLD FEET"
+
+
+Rap-tap!
+
+That sound brought Dave Darrin out of a sound sleep. Dan slumbered on.
+
+"Who's there at this hour of the night?" asked Dave, through the door,
+in the best Italian he could muster.
+
+"From the 'Hudson,'" came the answer, in a voice so low that Dave did
+not recognize it.
+
+"One minute, then."
+
+Dave slipped back, shaking his chum to rouse him, then drew the
+curtains around Dalzell's bed.
+
+In record time Dave drew on his own shirt, slipped into trousers, put
+on collar, cuffs and tie, and followed this with coat and vest.
+
+Then he stepped to the door, opening it. Repressing his natural cry of
+astonishment, Dave silently admitted his visitors, next closed and
+locked the door.
+
+"Orders from the Admiral," said Lieutenant Totten, in an undertone,
+and passed over the envelope.
+
+Stepping under the light which he had hastily turned on, Darrin read
+his orders.
+
+"Read this, Dan," said Dave, passing the letter of instructions to his
+chum, who was now also fully dressed. "Then I will read it once more,
+after which we will burn it."
+
+"Suits me," commented Dan, when he had finished and was passing back
+the letter. "I've always wanted to see Paris."
+
+"You won't see much of it this time," smiled Ensign Dave. "This is
+business, and nothing else."
+
+Then Dave tore the letter into strips. Taking these to the open
+fireplace he set fire to them. All three officers watched until the
+letter had been completely burned.
+
+"And now," Dave continued, "I will mix this charred paper thoroughly
+with the ashes that, fortunately, are left in the grate."
+
+When he had finished, the mixing had been done so well that they would
+be keen eyes, indeed, that could note the presence of minute particles
+of burned paper in the grate's contents. His next act was to telephone
+the hotel clerk to send up a time-table.
+
+"We have plenty of time, yet," smiled Darrin, glancing at his watch,
+after he had finished consulting the time-table. "It won't be the
+height of comfort to travel to Paris without baggage. However, when
+we get there we can buy anything that we may need."
+
+"It will be great to shop in Paris," cried Dan, his eyes gleaming.
+
+"Don't get the idea that we are going to do any running about in
+Paris," Dave warned his chum.
+
+"Not even if we have some idle time there?"
+
+"Not even then," Dave answered. "I am very sure that neither the
+Admiral nor the Ambassador would wish us to show ourselves much at the
+French capital. We might thereby attract the attention of spies."
+
+"That is true," agreed Lieutenant Totten.
+
+Business being now attended to, Dave and Dan had time to finish
+dressing comfortably. Then followed a period of waiting. Later the
+hotel clerk was asked to summon an automobile. In this the Paris-bound
+party, including Runkle, left the hotel, Totten accompanying them.
+
+No sooner, however, had the American party left the hotel than an
+Italian, crouching in the shadow of a building further along on the
+same block, whispered to his companion:
+
+"Telephone Signor Dalny for instructions."
+
+Within three minutes a second automobile rolled up to the hotel.
+
+"To the railway station first, on the chance of finding the Americans
+there," the spy called to the driver.
+
+Dave's party did not have long to wait at the station. Totten remained
+with them to the last, however, that he might be able to report a safe
+start to the Admiral.
+
+"Don't look, sir, but coming up behind you, I am certain, is a fellow
+I saw on the street outside the hotel just before we started,"
+reported Seaman Runkle.
+
+"Then we are being trailed," Dave said.
+
+Not until the time came for starting did Lieutenant Totten shake hands
+hurriedly with his brother officers and leave them, though he still
+stood near the train.
+
+Dave and Dan sprang into their compartment in one of the cars, Able
+Seaman Runkle following more slowly.
+
+"There's that spy fellow getting on the running-board further down the
+train, sir," whispered Runkle.
+
+"I expected him," answered Dave dryly.
+
+"Would you like to lose him, sir?"
+
+"Off the train altogether, do you mean, Runkle?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Can you put him off without hurting him?"
+
+"I think I can get him off, sir, without even scraping one of his
+knuckles."
+
+"You're at liberty to try, Runkle, if you are sure you won't injure
+the man."
+
+As the guard came along, locking the doors, Runkle leaped down to the
+ground.
+
+"Help, Mr. Totten, help!" called the seaman in a low voice that none
+the less reached the ears of the departing lieutenant.
+
+Then Runkle moved directly up to the spy leering into his face and
+making insulting signs that caused the fellow to flush red.
+
+"You're no good--savvy?" insisted Runkle in a low tone, making more
+faces and gestures.
+
+So quickly was it done that the now thoroughly insulted spy, though he
+did not understand English, leaped at Runkle in a rage.
+
+"He's going to try to rob me, sir!" cried Runkle, not very effectively
+dodging the blows that the fellow aimed at him.
+
+"Here, what are you up to?" demanded Totten, also in English, as he
+reached out to grab the spy's collar.
+
+In that strong grip the spy writhed, but could not escape.
+
+"Thank you, sir," cried Runkle, with an unmistakable wink, after which
+he raced for the car and the compartment in which the two young
+ensigns waited.
+
+"Lieutenant Totten is holding on to the chap, sir," announced Runkle
+gleefully. "He won't let him go until the train's out, either."
+
+Holding the unlocked door open a crack, Dan Dalzell watched as the
+train pulled away from the station.
+
+"Totten has him, and is explaining to a policeman," Dalzell chuckled.
+"That spy doesn't travel with us this trip."
+
+"What's the odds?" asked Darrin, after a pause. "Dalny must belong to
+a big and clever organization. He can wire ahead to spies who will
+board the train later on and follow us into Paris."
+
+"Then, with your leave, sir, I'll keep my eye open for spies until
+we're back aboard the flagship," suggested Runkle.
+
+"Very good, so long as you break neither laws nor bones, Runkle," Dave
+laughed.
+
+The Americans had the compartment to themselves. Had all been in
+uniform Runkle would not have been likely to travel in the same
+compartment with the young officers, but in citizen's dress much of
+discipline could be waived for greater safety.
+
+Though Dan Dalzell did not now have much hope of sight-seeing in
+Paris, he was able, after dozing until daylight, to gaze interestedly
+out upon the country through which he was traveling.
+
+Able Seaman Runkle was another absorbed window-gazer. As for Ensign
+Dave Darrin, while he caught many interesting glimpses of the scenery,
+his mind was mainly on the question of how the international plotters
+were planning to break the friendship between the two strongest
+nations on earth.
+
+By what means could these plotters sink a British ship, and yet make
+it appear to be the work of Americans?
+
+Hundreds of miles had been traveled, and one day had swung far on into
+another before a plausible answer came to Darrin's mind.
+
+Then Dave fairly jumped--the thing that Admiral Timworth so dreaded
+now looked quite easy.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Dan, staring at his chum.
+
+"Why?" countered Dave.
+
+"You jumped so hard," Dan replied.
+
+"I was thinking."
+
+"Stop it!" advised Danny Grin. "A little harder thinking than that
+might wreck the train."
+
+Dalzell enjoyed every hour of the journey. In the daylight hours he
+was busy "taking in" all the country through which the train passed.
+In the evening hours, Dan was outside on the platform, at every
+station, to watch the crowds, large or small.
+
+As for Seaman Runkle, that splendid lad was absorbed, almost to the
+point of gloom, in watching at every station for a sign of a spy on
+the train with them.
+
+Before they reached the French-Italian frontier Dave realized, with a
+start, that Admiral Timworth had failed to provide them with such
+credentials as would probably be called for in crossing the
+Italian-French frontier, and that they had forgotten to ask for such
+papers. However, at the frontier stop their friend Dandelli, the
+Italian naval officer, in uniform, almost ran into them. He was glad
+to vouch for the pair to the French and Italian guards at that point,
+and, after some hesitation, Dave and Dan were allowed to proceed into
+France.
+
+"But be careful to have proper papers when returning, if you come this
+way," Dandelli smilingly warned them.
+
+It was seven o'clock on the second morning after leaving Naples when
+the express reached Paris.
+
+Hardly had the train stopped when Darrin and Dalzell were out and
+moving through the station. Seaman Runkle kept at a distance behind
+them, his sharp eyes searching for any signs of spies. But Runkle was
+able to make no report of success when he stepped into the taxicab in
+which his superior officers sat.
+
+Danny Grin was again busy with his eyes as the taxicab darted through
+the beautiful streets of the French capital.
+
+"What are you laughing at?" Dave asked suddenly, noting that Dan's
+grin was even wider than usual.
+
+"Paris strikes me that way--that's all I can tell you," drawled Dan.
+
+"Do you consider Paris a joke?" demanded Darrin.
+
+"Of course not. But Paris has the name of being such a gay town--in
+peace times, of course. But at this early hour the city looks actually
+gray to me. If the look of the city doesn't improve, later in the day,
+I can't understand how any one can feel like being gay."
+
+"Paris and the world have managed well enough, in the past, to combine
+for gayety," Dave replied. "Just now, of course, with all the men
+thinking of war, and so many women wearing black for dear ones they've
+lost at the front, the city can't show much of its former gayety.
+Paris is going through her ordeal of fire. These are dark days for
+good old France!"
+
+Suddenly Dan's face fell grave.
+
+"Now, what's the matter?" quizzed Darrin.
+
+"I've just had a horrible thought," Dan confessed. "You haven't been
+concealing from me, have you, the fact that, though you had no
+frontier passport you have a letter or some form of credentials to the
+American Ambassador?"
+
+"I haven't anything of the sort," Dave rejoined, he, too, now looking
+grave.
+
+"A fine lay-out this is, then," growled Danny Grin. "Here we are,
+going to the American Ambassador on a matter of the utmost delicacy.
+We are going to tell him and ask him some of the secrets of the United
+States government, and we haven't a scrap of paper to introduce us. Do
+you realize what we'll get? The Johnny-run-quick! We'll get the
+balluster slide, the ice-pitcher greeting! Dave, we're going to land
+hard on the sidewalk right in front of the Embassy. And then some
+frog-eating, Johnny Crapaud policeman will gather us in as disorderly
+persons! Fine!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+AT THE AMERICAN EMBASSY
+
+
+As the taxicab dashed around a corner Dave raised his cap.
+
+"Well, this must be our destination," he announced. "I've just saluted
+Old Glory as it flutters over the building."
+
+The taxicab came to a stop before a handsome building.
+
+On each side of the posts of the gateway stood a brass shield on which
+was the inscription:
+
+"Embassy of the United States of America."
+
+Very gravely Dan and Runkle followed Dave, each raising his hat to the
+Flag as soon as his feet touched the sidewalk.
+
+"There's a carriage entrance below," said Dave, "but we'll take the
+plain way and walk in."
+
+Paying and dismissing the taxicab driver, Dave led the way to the
+entrance.
+
+"A naval party to see the Ambassador, at his convenience, on
+business," Dave announced to the attendant at the door.
+
+They were shown to an anteroom near the door, where they were soon
+joined by a Mr. Lupton, who introduced himself as Second Secretary to
+the Embassy.
+
+"The ambassador, Mr. Caine, will not be here before nine o'clock,"
+announced Mr. Lupton. "I know that you are expected. You have not
+breakfasted?"
+
+"No," Dave confessed.
+
+"Then I will ask you to let me be host. Before I lead the way I will
+ring for some one to see that your sailorman is well taken care of."
+
+Five minutes later Darrin and Dalzell were seated at a small breakfast
+table with Mr. Lupton.
+
+"Just before reaching here," began Dave, "it occurred to Mr. Dalzell
+and myself that we have, beyond our card-cases, no means of
+identification. Can you tell us how Mr. Caine will be sure that he is
+talking with the right persons?"
+
+"I believe that will be arranged all right," smiled Mr. Lupton. "I,
+too, have taken you gentlemen on trust, but presently, I believe, we
+are going to be satisfied."
+
+Two minutes later there stalked into the room a tall, handsome young
+man whose navy uniform set off his good figure to great advantage.
+
+"Jetson?" exclaimed Dave, rising.
+
+"The same," smiled the newcomer, advancing and holding out his hand.
+
+He and Dave shook hands heartily, after which Dan came in for a
+similar greeting.
+
+Readers of the Annapolis series will recall Jetson as being a fellow
+member of the Brigade of Midshipmen with Darrin and Dalzell at the U. S.
+Naval Academy. At one time, there, Dave and Jetson had not been
+good friends, but Dave had, at the very great risk of his own life,
+saved Jetson from drowning. Now, the two young officers were on
+excellent terms.
+
+"I understand, now, what was darkness to me before," murmured Dave,
+after Jetson had seated himself at table. "Admiral Timworth knew that
+you were here, Jetson, and able to identify us."
+
+"I have been here for three months," explained Jetson, smiling, "doing
+some work to assist the naval attache of this Embassy, Commander
+Tupper. I have had three months of the hardest work in this old
+capital, but now, confound it, my work here has ended and I'm ordered
+to join my ship. The bridge and the quarter-deck are places of boredom
+to a fellow who has seen what I've seen here. Why, I've even made two
+trips up to the front--one of them to Verdun."
+
+"Lucky dog!" cried Danny Grin, with feeling. "So you've seen some of
+the big fighting!"
+
+"It may be well to state that I know fully the business on which you
+are ordered here," Jetson continued, "so you may mention it freely
+before me if you are so inclined."
+
+"Then can you tell me," Dave asked, "if it is known how our enemies
+propose to sink a British warship and make it appear to be the work of
+someone in the American Navy?"
+
+"I cannot," Jetson replied. "In fact, it was only on receipt of a
+wireless from near Monte Carlo that the Ambassador had any knowledge
+that the international plotters intended to attempt the destruction of
+a British warship as a means for creating bad feeling between the two
+countries. The whole plot seems foolishly improbable to me."
+
+"It doesn't seem so to me, any longer," rejoined Dave.
+
+"Then you must know some thing that I haven't heard about," murmured
+Jetson curiously.
+
+"Mr. Darrin," broke in Mr. Lupton, "I will be the Ambassador's
+authority for you to speak as freely of the matter as you choose."
+
+Dave and Dan thereupon told all that had befallen them at Monte Carlo
+and at Naples.
+
+"But still," Jetson broke in perplexedly, "how is the sinking of a
+British warship to be brought about with safety to the plotters, and
+how is the crime to be laid at the door of the American Navy?"
+
+"I wish to speak to the Ambassador on that point before I mention it
+to any one else," Dave answered.
+
+"Have you told Dalzell?" pressed Jetson.
+
+"I have not."
+
+"He certainly hasn't," complained Danny Grin sadly. "Dave always tells
+me after he has told every one else."
+
+"Danny boy," Dave rebuked him, "where do you hope to go after you
+die?"
+
+"Paris," Dalzell answered promptly.
+
+Breakfast lasted until word came that the Ambassador was ready to
+receive the two young officers from the flagship of the Mediterranean
+Fleet. Then Jetson left his friends.
+
+Mr. Caine, to whom Mr. Lupton presently introduced the ensigns, was a
+man in his fifties, rather bald, and with a decided stoop in his
+shoulders. At home he was a manufacturer of barbed wire, and his
+business, as Danny later suggested, had perhaps helped to give him
+some of his keenness and sharpness. He was slenderly fashioned, and
+reminded one, at first, of a professor in a minor college.
+
+It was when the Ambassador transacted business that some of his
+sterling qualities came out. He was recognized as being one of the
+cleverest and ablest of American diplomats.
+
+"I am glad to meet you, gentlemen," said the Ambassador, shaking
+hands with Dave and Dan and then motioning them to seats, which an
+attendant placed for them. "Mr. Lupton, you have doubtless had
+Jetson's assurance that these young men are the persons they claim to
+be?"
+
+"Yes, sir," Lupton rejoined.
+
+"Then tell me all you can of this matter," urged Mr. Caine.
+
+At a look from Second Secretary Lupton, the attendant withdrew from
+the room. Dave and Dan were soon deep in the narration of events in
+which they participated at Monte Carlo and at Naples.
+
+"I know the young Comte of Surigny," remarked Mr. Caine, "and I am
+deeply disappointed to learn that he is among our foes, and in such a
+mean capacity as the one in which he must be employed. The young man
+comes from one of the most ancient families in France, though he has
+never been well-to-do, for his ancestors attended to the insuring of
+his poverty. The gambling streak has run through several generations
+of the family."
+
+Then Dave and Dan continued with their story, Ambassador Caine paying
+close attention to all they said.
+
+"Gortchky is expected in Paris soon," announced the Ambassador
+presently.
+
+"Is he, sir?" Darrin asked quickly. "Would it be indiscreet for me to
+ask if you know why he is coming here?"
+
+"I have nothing more definite than suspicion," replied Mr. Caine.
+"Paris, which has one of the best detective systems of the world, is
+also noted as being the principal headquarters for conspiracies
+against governments. Not only do the anarchists and nihilists look
+upon Paris as their Mecca; but other scoundrels working out nefarious
+plans for wicked governments also meet here to lay their dastardly
+plots. Gortchky may be coming here to secure new agents to take the
+place of those already known to the Americans who are watching him and
+his men; or he may be coming here to hold a conference with the men
+higher up, who are directing his scoundrelly work against the peace of
+England and America."
+
+"I take it, sir, that your secret service men will make every effort
+to find out what Gortchky does in Paris, and for what real purpose he
+is here, and--"
+
+Here Ensign Dave Darrin broke off abruptly, coloring deeply.
+
+"I beg your pardon, sir," he apologized hurriedly. "I had no right to
+ask you such a question."
+
+"I have no objection to answering you," said the Ambassador seriously.
+"Of course my men will make every effort to find out what Gortchky is
+up to here, if he comes to Paris, but I do not know how well they will
+succeed. In the game of making trouble between nations Emil Gortchky
+is an old and wary bird. It may very likely be that the fellow is
+coming to Paris only to try to draw my secret service men into the
+worst kind of a wild-goose chase leading only to clues that are worse
+than worthless. Gortchky, in other words, may be on his way to Paris
+only to draw our attention away from vital moves about to be made
+elsewhere by other members of his rascally band. Of course, on due
+complaint, we could have him arrested as a spy, and it would go hard
+with him here in Paris before a military court. But in that case there
+are others in the band of plotters whom we do not know and cannot
+locate. So, for very good reasons, we prefer to have Gortchky at
+large."
+
+"I would like immensely to see Gortchky in Paris," Dave muttered.
+
+"Perhaps you will have your wish," replied Mr. Caine, with an odd
+smile.
+
+Soon after that the interview came to an end, but Dave and Dan
+remained in the Embassy building through the day. An attendant was
+sent out to get them what they needed in linen and other small items.
+
+Dinner was to be served at seven o'clock, and, as Mr. Caine did not
+wish the presence of the young officers from the Mediterranean Fleet
+in his house to be known, it was arranged that they should dine in a
+smaller room alone with Mr. Lupton.
+
+At six, however, the Ambassador sent in haste for Dave to come to his
+office.
+
+"That invitation doesn't seem to include me," remarked Dalzell, rather
+ruefully, as he glanced up from a book he was reading in the Embassy
+library.
+
+"I'm afraid it doesn't," Dave returned.
+
+Mr. Caine was at his office desk, holding a telegram sheet in his
+hand.
+
+"Gortchky is expected in town at 7.30 this evening, Mr. Darrin,"
+announced the Ambassador.
+
+"Is there anything that I can do in this matter, sir?" Darrin asked,
+after a pause.
+
+"You may go and watch for Gortchky, if you think it possible to do so
+without his detecting you," Mr. Caine replied slowly.
+
+"The opportunity would delight me beyond measure," Dave rejoined
+quickly. "I suppose I had better take a taxicab that I may be ready to
+give effective chase in case Emil Gortchky uses that kind of
+transportation."
+
+"I can supply you with a taxicab and with a chauffeur who can be
+trusted," replied the Ambassador. "The driver I have in mind is a
+highly intelligent fellow who has many times been employed by me. And
+you can dismiss him at any point, or retain him as long as you wish.
+The bill for the taxicab charges will be sent to the Embassy. How soon
+do you wish to have this taxicab here?"
+
+"Perhaps I should have it at once," Dave replied. "Gortchky would know
+me in these clothes at first glance, so it would be advantageous if I
+arranged to disguise myself. On the streets, as we came here, I
+noticed not a few young men wearing baggy suits of clothes of most
+un-American cut. They wore also flowing neckties, and some of them had
+blue eyeglasses. There are so many of these young men about that one
+more would hardly attract Gortchky's attention. That style of dress
+would make a good disguise for me."
+
+"The young men you describe are largely students and artists," replied
+the Ambassador. "A disguise of that kind would be less conspicuous
+than any other."
+
+"Then, sir, if the chauffeur can come here soon, he will have time to
+take me to stores where I can get the articles of apparel I need, and
+I shall still have plenty of time to meet Emil Gortchky if he reaches
+Paris this evening. I will go and tell Mr. Dalzell about Gortchky
+being expected to arrive here to-night."
+
+"Tell Mr. Dalzell, if you wish, but you had better not take him with
+you," replied Mr. Caine. "Two young men would attract more attention
+than one. I am approving of your undertaking this because, to date,
+you have learned more about this conspiracy than any three of the
+secret service men whom I have at my orders."
+
+Dave hurried away to Dan, who was highly disappointed at being left
+out of the evening's work.
+
+"But I have the joke on you, anyway," Danny Grin suddenly declared.
+
+"How so?" asked Dave.
+
+"I shall have my dinner," laughed Dalzell; "you won't have any."
+
+"I could forget my meals for three whole days to stay on the trail of
+Gortchky," Dave answered, simply.
+
+Then he hurried out, for the arrival of the taxicab was now announced.
+Darrin had a minute's conversation with the chauffeur, after which he
+entered the car.
+
+One thing the young ensign quickly discovered, and that was that on
+the smooth pavements of Paris, and in the well-ordered traffic,
+taxicabs travel at a high rate of speed. Within five minutes he had
+been set down at the door of a shop in which he found it possible to
+buy every item of his disguise, even to shoes, for Darrin suddenly
+remembered that his footwear was plainly American.
+
+In fifteen minutes more Dave Darrin emerged from the store. In one
+hand he carried his discarded clothing, packed in a new bag, which he
+turned over to the chauffeur for safe keeping. All of his money,
+except a small sum, he had left behind at the Embassy.
+
+If any policeman had seen him enter the shop and come out again
+presenting so changed an appearance, and if for that reason the
+policeman should question him under the impression that Darrin might
+be a spy, Dave decided that he would rely upon his chauffeur to
+declare that he had been hired at the American Embassy. That statement
+would remove suspicion.
+
+"You had better kill time for a few minutes," Dave explained to the
+chauffeur, who understood English. "It is not desirable to reach the
+railway station earlier than 7.20."
+
+Accordingly the young ensign enjoyed a brief, rapid panoramic view of
+a considerable part of Paris. The driver, accustomed to taking
+Americans about who were strangers in the city, frequently turned his
+head to offer information as to the places or points of interest that
+they were passing.
+
+"It's a shame that Danny boy isn't here to enjoy all this," Dave told
+himself. "Even this way of seeing Paris would be a great treat to
+him."
+
+Almost to the second of 7.20 the taxicab drew up as one of a long line
+of similar vehicles under the bright lights of the railway station.
+
+Alighting, Ensign Darrin, feeling rather well concealed in his
+disguise, and looking out through his blue-lensed eyeglasses, strolled
+about, careful not to saunter into the most brilliantly lighted spots.
+
+Presently he heard a train enter the station. A thin stream of
+passengers filtered out. Dave promptly shifted his position and
+watched the arrivals, who later came out in a more compact throng.
+
+And there was Emil Gortchky, at last, with no more marked hand luggage
+than a light cane, which he swung jauntily.
+
+"I hope you don't look my way, my fine bird!" uttered Ensign Darrin
+under his breath. "But if you do, your observation won't do you much
+good."
+
+A hand beckoned from a taxicab. Emil Gortchky, who had been on the
+lookout, sauntered over to the vehicle and clasped the hand of M. le
+Comte de Surigny.
+
+"Surigny, the ungrateful!" uttered Dave disgustedly to himself. "I
+induced you to spare your own worthless life, and then when you found
+life sweet once more, you turned against me! I hope you did not notice
+me as you sat in that cab."
+
+By this time Dave was at the side step of his own taxicab. A few words
+to the chauffeur, and he entered.
+
+Surigny's cab drew out of the line, gliding away. The one in which
+Dave sat gave chase at a cautious distance.
+
+Soon the speed of the leading cab increased, and the pursuing
+one followed at the same speed. After a considerable run both
+cabs turned into the broad, well-lighted Boulevard Haussman.
+For some blocks both cabs ran along. Then the one ahead turned
+in before an imposing-looking building with a gleaming white
+marble front.
+
+"The Grand Prix Club," explained Dave's chauffeur, glancing back as he
+stopped on the other side of the boulevard some distance to the rear.
+
+It was the Count of Surigny who left the cab, which then started
+forward.
+
+"Is there gambling going on in that club?" asked Darrin, as his man
+started the car forward again.
+
+"Naturally," replied the chauffeur, shrugging his shoulders.
+
+"It is easy to understand, then," Dave muttered to himself. "Poor
+Surigny is no longer his own master in anything, for he is a slave to
+the gambling craze that ruins so many lives. Gortchky furnishes the
+young man with money for gambling--lends it to him, of course, and
+thus keeps the Count desperately in his debt. And so the young Count
+has to do, when required, the bidding of the scoundrel who gloats over
+the helplessness of his dupe. Poor Surigny!"
+
+Into less handsome avenues and streets the taxicabs now turned. Then a
+distinctly shabby looking part of Paris was unfolded to the gaze of
+the young naval officer.
+
+"The Rue d'Ansin," announced the chauffeur, at last.
+
+"A bad street?" Dave inquired.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"The haunt of criminals?"
+
+"Criminals are seen here," the chauffeur explained, "but their real
+lurking places are in some of the alleys, farther along, that lead off
+from the Rue d'Ansin. Late at night, monsieur, it is better to ride
+through this street than to be afoot on the sidewalk!"
+
+"Is it the part of Paris where one would come to meet or to confer
+with desperate criminals?" Dave asked.
+
+"Many of the Apaches live hereabouts," replied the chauffeur, with
+another shrug.
+
+Dave had read of these dangerous thugs, the so-called "Apaches,"
+native toughs of Paris, who commit many bold robberies on the streets
+by night, and even, sometimes, by day, and who seldom hesitate to
+kill a victim or a policeman if murder will render their own escape
+sure.
+
+To an observer the Apache appears to be equally without fear and
+without conscience. The Apache is many degrees more dangerous than his
+more cowardly cousin, the "gun-man" of New York.
+
+"I hope you will not have to take to the streets here, Monsieur," said
+the chauffeur.
+
+"If I have to do that, I am not afraid to take a chance," Darrin
+answered, imitating the Frenchman's shrug with his own broad
+shoulders.
+
+Ahead, Gortchky's taxicab was slowing down, and the pursuing vehicle
+did the same. Dave peered about to see if some one were waiting to be
+taken up by Gortchky, but, instead, Gortchky descended.
+
+"Drive close to the curb on the other side of the street," whispered
+Darrin. "Merely slow down so that I may slip to the sidewalk. Then go
+ahead, waiting for me around the corner two blocks away."
+
+"One block away would be better, Monsieur," urged the chauffeur.
+
+"Make it two," Dave insisted crisply.
+
+Stepping out on the running board, Dave leaned well forward, thus
+making it possible to close the door of his car as it slowed down.
+Then, as Dave stepped to the sidewalk, the taxicab moved forward more
+rapidly.
+
+Searching in an inner pocket, Emil Gortchky, down the street on the
+other side, did not look up, and apparently did not observe the
+maneuver on the part of Dave's chauffeur. Dave slipped quickly into a
+darkened doorway, from which he could watch the international spy with
+little danger of being observed.
+
+Taking out a little packet of papers, and moving toward a street lamp,
+Gortchky selected one of the papers, thrusting the rest back into his
+pocket. As he did so, one white bit fluttered to the sidewalk.
+
+Reading under the street lamp the paper he had selected, Gortchky put
+that particular paper in another pocket. Then he turned abruptly,
+plunging into the depths of an alley-like street.
+
+Sauntering slowly across the street, in order not to attract too much
+attention from other passers on the badly lighted Rue d'Ansin, Ensign
+Darrin, his gaze glued to that piece of paper, soon reached it and
+picked it up.
+
+"For that scoundrel to drop this paper, of all others that he had in
+his pocket!" gasped Dave Darrin, as, under the street light, he took
+in its nature.
+
+Then he paled, for this paper seemed to confirm absolutely the young
+ensign's suspicion as to the way in which the British battleship was
+to be destroyed.
+
+All in a twinkling Dave's pallor vanished, for he had something else
+to think about.
+
+On the alley-like side street a quick step was heard that Darrin
+recognized. It was that of Emil Gortchky, hastily returning to find
+the paper that he had dropped in the heart of Apache Land!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+"SEEING" THE PARIS APACHES
+
+
+Like a flash Darrin thrust the paper into one of his own pockets. Then
+he turned, darting into a near-by doorway dark enough to conceal him
+from Gortchky's eyes, if he should look in that direction.
+
+"I've no reason for fearing an encounter with Gortchky, unless he
+knows how to summon the murderous Apaches to his aid," Dave told
+himself as he pressed back as far as he could into his hiding place.
+"I don't want Gortchky, however, to know I'm watching him, and I don't
+want to lose this precious paper any more than he does."
+
+Touching the door accidentally with the hand that rested behind his
+back, Dave was delighted to feel it swing slightly open. In another
+instant he had backed into a corridor, softly closing the door after
+him.
+
+"Now Gortchky won't find me, and I'm all right, unless I am discovered
+by one of the occupants of this house, and turned over to the police
+as a burglar!" thought the young naval officer exultantly.
+
+Gortchky's step, now slower, went by the door, which Dave had left
+ajar by only the tiniest crack.
+
+"I cannot have lost that paper here, after all," Dave heard the
+international spy mutter in a low voice. "Certainly it has not been
+picked up, for I came back almost instantly, and there was no one
+near. It is not likely that I shall ever see that important little bit
+of paper again."
+
+Yet for a few moments longer Dave heard the international spy moving
+about as though still searching. Then the fellow's footsteps died out
+as he went around the corner.
+
+"I'll wait a few minutes before I step out," Darrin decided. "Gortchky
+may only be laying a trap, and even at this instant he may be peering
+around the corner to see if any one steps out of one of these
+doorways."
+
+Waiting for what seemed to be a long time, but what was actually only
+a few minutes, the young ensign stepped out to the sidewalk again.
+
+There were a few people on his own side of the block, and the sight of
+any one leaving a house was not likely to arouse curiosity in the
+minds of the denizens of that neighborhood.
+
+As Dave neared the next corner, however, four rough-looking fellows
+came out of a little cafe. Their bearing was full of swagger. These
+young men, in dress half student and half laborer, with caps pulled
+down over their eyes and gaily-knotted handkerchiefs around their
+necks, displayed the shifting, cunning look that is found in the
+hoodlum everywhere.
+
+As they reached the sidewalk, moving with the noiseless step peculiar
+to the Apache, they heard Darrin briskly coming along. Halting, they
+regarded him closely as he neared them.
+
+"They look like hard characters," Dave told himself. "However, if I
+mind my business, I guess they'll mind theirs."
+
+It was not to be. One of the Apaches, the tallest and slimmest of the
+lot, regarded Darrin with more curiosity than did any of the others.
+
+"Ho!" he cried. "See how stiffly our little student carries himself!
+He must have been to see his sweetheart, and feels proud of himself."
+
+"He has the stride of a banker," jeered another. "I wonder if he has
+his bank with him."
+
+Dave's ear, quickly attuned to the French tongue, caught and
+understood the words.
+
+"Let me see what you look like," urged the slim fellow, reaching out
+and plucking from Darrin's nose the blue eye glasses just as Dave was
+passing the group.
+
+That gesture and the act were so insulting that Ensign Darrin could
+not keep back the flash that leaped into his eyes. He halted,
+regarding the Apache steadily.
+
+"Why, bless me! He's an American!" cried the Apache. "All Americans
+are rich, you know. My friend, have you a few sous for a group of poor
+workingmen?"
+
+Dave essayed to pass on. As he did so, a foot was thrust out. Dave saw
+the movement and leaped over the foot to avoid being tripped.
+
+"At him!" hissed the slim Apache. "Let us shake out his pockets."
+
+Dave sprang forward, although he knew that he could not hope to run
+away. Instead, he leaped to a wall, placing his back against it. There
+he halted, glaring defiantly at his assailants, his fists up and ready
+for instant action.
+
+"Sail in! Trim him!" snarled the slim one. "If our little American
+shows fight--kill him!"
+
+The first who reached Dave reeled back with a broken nose, for
+Darrin's first was hard.
+
+"Stick the pig!" cried the leader, meaning that the young officer was
+to be stabbed. Not one of the four had a knife, it seemed.
+
+As they surrounded him, the one with the injured nose having returned
+to the fray, that slim Apache drew out a sandbag, long and narrow,
+shaped like a sausage, made of canvas and filled with sand. This is
+one of the most deadly weapons in the world.
+
+"Let us see what soothing medicine will do!" he jeered.
+
+In an instant all four had brought sandbags to light, and all closed
+in upon the desperate American.
+
+"Come on, you cowards!" roared Dave, forgetting his French and lapsing
+back into English. "If I go out I'll take one of you with me."
+
+Trying to tantalize their victim, the Apaches made thrusts at Ensign
+Dave, and then leaped nimbly back. It was their hope that he would
+spring forward at them and thus leave his rear unguarded. It is
+easiest to use the sandbag on a victim from behind, though the tactics
+now employed were favorites with the Apaches.
+
+Dave had sense enough to divine the nature of their trick. Unless the
+police arrived promptly he expected to be killed by these jeering
+scoundrels, but he was determined to sell his life dearly enough.
+
+Suddenly the young naval officer saw his chance and used it. One of
+his dancing tormentors got in too close. Darrin's right foot shot up
+and out, landing across the Apache's knee-cap.
+
+Uttering a howl of rage and pain, the fellow all but crawled back.
+
+"Kill the American," he howled. "Don't play with him."
+
+Instantly the three remaining assailants worked in closer, yet with
+all the caution of their wily natures.
+
+"Rush me!" taunted Dave, again in English. "Don't be so afraid. If you
+mean to kill me why don't you show courage enough to do it? Come on,
+you sneaks!"
+
+Though the Apaches could not understand what the young ensign said to
+them, they knew the drift of his jeering words. Their faces contorted
+with rage, they struck at him, Dave's arms working like piston rods in
+his efforts to ward off their blows.
+
+Close to the wall, slipping along on tip-toe came a tall figure. Then
+suddenly a newcomer leaped into the picture.
+
+Biff! smash! Struck from behind in the neck, two of the Apaches
+pitched forward, going to earth. Dave Darrin, with a feint, followed
+up with a swinging right-hand uppercut, laid the last of the Apaches
+low, for the fellow sitting in a doorway, nursing his knee and
+cursing, no longer counted.
+
+"Quick! Out of here!" ordered the newcomer, seizing Dave by the arm
+and starting him along.
+
+"Jetson!" gasped Ensign Darrin, looking into the face of his rescuer.
+
+"Yes," answered his brother officer. "Hurry along!"
+
+"Jetson, you've saved my life this time. That pack of wolves would
+have killed me in spite of my best defense."
+
+"We're not out of trouble yet," retorted Jetson, fairly pushing Darrin
+along. "Those Apaches will revive in a few seconds."
+
+"Pooh! Together, Jetson, we could thrash half a dozen of their kind,
+and find it only exercise."
+
+"But, my boy, don't you realize that there are more than three or four
+Apaches around the Rue d'Ansin? The alarm will sound, and a score more
+will rush up. These rascals are sure death, Darry, if they get at you
+in sufficient numbers! The Parisians fear them. You don't see a single
+citizen on the street now. Look! Every one of them flew to cover as
+soon as the Apaches moved into action. If bystanders interfered, or
+even watched, they too would have to reckon with these Apaches. Now,
+Darry, you're no coward, and neither am I, but if you're wise you will
+imitate me by taking to your heels."
+
+Still holding Dave's arm lightly, Jetson sprinted along to the next
+corner.
+
+"To the right," whispered Dave. "I've a taxicab here."
+
+More than halfway down the block they saw the car at the curb. The
+chauffeur, when Dave called, stepped from a doorway in which he had
+taken refuge.
+
+"The Apaches!" gasped the driver.
+
+"Hustle!" urged Dave. "Come on, Jetson."
+
+As the two young naval officers sprang into the car, the driver leaped
+to his own seat. Pressing the self-starter, the chauffeur soon had his
+machine gliding along. Nor did he go back, either, by way of the Rue
+d'Ansin.
+
+Not until he was four blocks away from the scene did the man ask for
+his orders.
+
+"Back to the Embassy," Dave instructed him. Then he remembered his
+comrade's swift, fine rescue.
+
+"Jetson," he asked, "did you know it was I who was menaced by the
+Apaches?"
+
+"I did not," replied his brother officer. "But I heard enough, at a
+distance, to know that an American was in trouble. In Paris that is
+sufficient for me. Darry, I am delighted that I happened along in
+time."
+
+"You saved my life, Jetson, and at the risk of your own. If you had
+missed one of the Apaches, or had lost your balance, your career would
+have been ended right there, along with mine."
+
+"You risked your life for me, Darry, back in the old Annapolis days,
+so we are even," answered Jetson gently. "However, we won't keep books
+on the subject of brotherly aid. All I can say, Darry, is that I am
+glad I chose this night to call on an artist who lives in dingy
+quarters half a mile beyond where I found you. And I am also glad that
+I did not accept his invitation to supper, or I should have come
+along too late to serve you."
+
+As soon as the machine had left them at the Embassy, Darrin sought out
+Mr. Lupton.
+
+"May I see Mr. Caine at once?" asked the young officer.
+
+"You have seen Gortchky, then?"
+
+"Yes, and I have found what I consider positive proof as to the plans
+of Gortchky's crew."
+
+"I think Mr. Caine can be seen," replied Lupton.
+
+Ensign Darrin was soon with the American Ambassador, who nodded to
+Lupton to leave the room.
+
+"Here, sir," began Darrin, "is a bit of paper that Gortchky dropped
+and which I picked up."
+
+Mr. Caine scanned the paper.
+
+"I do not see anything so very remarkable about it," he replied.
+
+Dave whispered a few words in his ear.
+
+"Is that true?" asked the Ambassador, displaying sudden agitation.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Then I believe you are right, Darrin," gasped the Ambassador, sinking
+back into his chair, his face paling slightly. "Oh the villains!"
+
+"Then you believe, sir, that I have really discovered the plot?" asked
+Dave, who looked only a whit less agitated.
+
+"If what you have just told me is true, then it must be that you have
+made a correct guess."
+
+"Will you send word by wireless to Admiral Timworth, then, sir?"
+
+"I dare not trust such news, even to the cipher, which the
+international gang thought they had filched, and which they did not
+get," replied Mr. Caine. "I believe that the wisest course will be for
+you to take the midnight train to Genoa."
+
+"Then I shall take this paper with me?"
+
+"Yes, Mr. Darrin, for the Admiral is far more capable than I of
+estimating it at its true worth. It is a matter for a naval man to
+comprehend and decide."
+
+The Ambassador did not neglect to provide the young ensign with
+documents, approved by the French Foreign Office, that would take them
+safely over the border into Italy on their return trip.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+DAVE'S GUESS AT THE BIG PLOT
+
+
+"Friends tell me that in being in the Navy I have such a grand chance
+to see the world," grumbled Dan Dalzell, as the launch headed for the
+anchorage of the American warships. "I went to Paris and had two short
+taxicab rides through the city. That was all I saw of Paris. Then a
+long railway journey, and I reached Genoa. I spent twenty-eight
+minutes in Genoa, and boarded this launch. Oh, I'm seeing the world at
+a great rate! By the time I'm an admiral I shall know nearly as much
+of the world as I did when I studied geography in the Central Grammar
+School of Gridley."
+
+"Don't be a kicker, Danny boy," smiled Dave. "And just think! When you
+get home, if any one asks you if you've been in Paris, you can say
+'Yes.' Should any one ask you if you've seen Genoa, you can hold up
+your head and declare that you have."
+
+"But my friends will ask me to tell them about those towns,"
+complained Dalzell.
+
+"Read them up in the guide books," advised Jetson, who was of the
+party. "I've known a lot of Navy officers who got their knowledge of
+foreign places in that way."
+
+Dave and Dan had had but a fleeting glimpse of the fine city that now
+lay astern of them. Hundreds of sailormen and scores of officers, on
+sight-seeing bent, had been ashore for two days.
+
+But now the recall to the fleet had come. All save Darrin, Dalzell and
+Jetson, with Seaman Runkle, who was now up forward on the launch, were
+already aboard their respective ships. The Admiral waited only for the
+coming of this launch before he gave the sailing order.
+
+Jetson was assigned to the battleship "Allegheny," a craft only a
+trifle smaller than the massive "Hudson."
+
+The three brother officers and Runkle had traveled by express from
+Paris to Genoa, and had come through without incident. At last even
+the watchful Runkle was convinced that they had eluded all spies.
+
+"Boatswain's Mate," said Dave, "as this launch belongs to the
+flagship, it will be better to take Mr. Jetson, first, over to his
+ship."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir," responded the man in charge of the launch.
+
+Twenty minutes later Dave Darrin found himself leading his own party
+up over the side of the "Hudson."
+
+"Captain Allen wishes to see Ensigns Darrin and Dalzell at once,"
+announced Lieutenant Cranston, the officer of the deck. "You will
+report to the Captain without further instructions."
+
+"Very good, sir," Dave answered, saluting.
+
+Exactly ten minutes later the two young ensigns were ushered into the
+presence of their commanding officer.
+
+"Admiral Timworth has been notified by wireless from Paris that you
+have important communications to make to him," began the Captain. "I
+will not waste your time or the Admiral's in questioning you here. You
+will come with me to the fleet commander's quarters. The Admiral is
+awaiting you."
+
+Admiral Thomas Timworth, seated at his desk, and with his flag
+lieutenant standing by, greeted his callers with exceeding briskness.
+
+"Gentlemen," he said, "time presses, and we must dispense with
+formalities. Ensign Darrin, I am advised by the Ambassador at Paris of
+the importance of your news, but he does not tell me what the news
+is."
+
+"Its importance, sir, depends on whether the evidence I have to
+present supports the guess I have made as to the nature of the plot
+that has been planned against the peace and safety of Great Britain
+and our own country."
+
+As Dave spoke he produced from an inner pocket the sheet of paper
+dropped by Gortchky, that he had picked up in the Rue d'Ansin.
+
+"This piece of paper, sir," Darrin continued, passing it to the fleet
+commander, "is one that I _saw_ Emil Gortchky drop from a packet of
+several papers that he took from his pocket at night on one of the
+worst streets in the slums of Paris."
+
+Admiral Timworth scanned the paper, then read it aloud. It was a
+receipted bill, made out in the name of one unknown to those present,
+though perhaps an alias for Gortchky himself. The bill was for a
+shipment of storage batteries. At the bottom of the sheet was a
+filled-in certificate signed by a French government official, to the
+effect that the batteries had been shipped into Italy "for laboratory
+purposes of scientific research." Just below this statement was an
+official Italian certificate of approval, showing that the batteries
+had been admitted into Italy. In time of war, with the frontier
+guarded tenfold more vigilantly than in ordinary times, such
+certificates are vitally necessary to make shipments from France into
+Italy possible.
+
+"In other words, sir," Dave went on eagerly, when the fleet commander
+scanned his face closely, "it needed some very clever underhand work,
+very plausibly managed, to make it possible to buy those batteries in
+France and to secure their admittance into Italy."
+
+"Why?" quizzed Admiral Timworth, as though he did not know the answer
+himself.
+
+"Because, sir," Dave went on keenly, full of professional knowledge of
+the subject, "these batteries are the best that the French make for
+use aboard submarines."
+
+"True," nodded the fleet commander. "What then?"
+
+"Why, sir, by the use of the cleverest kind of lying that spies can
+do, Gortchky and his associates have hoodwinked the French and Italian
+governments into believing that the batteries are to be lawfully used
+for research purposes, when, as a matter of fact, they are to be used
+aboard a submarine which the plotters intend to use for destroying a
+British battleship."
+
+"We will admit, then," said Admiral Timworth, as a poser, "that the
+plotters have probably gotten into Italy storage batteries that can be
+used serviceably on a submarine. But where and how can the plotters
+have obtained the submarine craft itself? Or, if they haven't got it
+yet, how are they to obtain one? For submarines are not sold in open
+market, and it would be difficult to steal one."
+
+"I cannot answer that, as yet, sir," Dave admitted gravely.
+
+"And such storage batteries might be used for purposes of scientific
+research," continued the fleet commander.
+
+"Yes, sir; but the habits of the buyers should be considered, should
+they not? Gortchky and his associates can be hardly believed to be
+interested in science. On the other hand, they are arch plotters,
+which would lead us to suppose that they have bought these batteries
+to further a plot. Outside of scientific work the batteries would not
+be likely to be used anywhere except on board a submarine. Storage
+batteries of different size and pattern are used for industrial
+purposes, but those described in this bill are used on board
+submarines."
+
+"Your reasoning is plausible, Darrin, and probably correct, too,"
+nodded Admiral Timworth.
+
+"Besides which, sir," Dave pressed home, "if we admit that the
+plotters have conspired to sink a British battleship at Malta, the
+easiest way in war-time, when unidentified strangers cannot get aboard
+a warship, would be to effect the sinking by means of a submarine's
+torpedo. And, if this be the plan of the plotters, then the crime is
+likely to be attempted only when there are British and American war
+craft, and none others, in the Grand Harbor of Malta."
+
+"Yet surely the plotters must know that, between good friends like
+Britain and America, it would take more than the mere sinking of a
+British ship to make the English suspect us, as a nation, of being
+involved in such a dastardly plot."
+
+"Our country couldn't be suspected, as a government or a nation, of
+being guilty of such a wicked deed," Dave answered. "But Englishman
+and Frenchmen might very easily believe that the torpedoing was the
+work of a group of officers and men in our Navy who hated England
+enough to strike her below the belt. With the British ship sunk, sir,
+and with none to suspect but the Americans, there is no telling to
+what heights British passion might rise. The British are feeling the
+tension of the great war severely, sir."
+
+"There is one flaw in your reasoning, Mr. Darrin," Admiral Timworth
+replied. "We will admit that the torpedoing happens at a time when
+only American and British war craft are visible in Grand Harbor. Why
+would it not be wholly reasonable for the British to suppose that the
+torpedoing was the work of a German submarine that had sneaked into
+the harbor of Malta under the surface of the water?"
+
+"That occurred to me, sir," Dave admitted, "and at first I couldn't
+find the answer, but at last I did."
+
+"I shall be glad to hear that answer."
+
+"The submarine, let us suppose, sir, discharges one torpedo with such
+accuracy as to sink the British battleship. Why could not another
+torpedo be fired immediately, which would not strike, but would rise
+to the surface and be afterwards identified when found as an American
+torpedo? For a torpedo that does not strike and explode can be so
+adjusted that it will afterwards sink or rise and float. And this
+torpedo that rises can be of American pattern."
+
+"But where would the plotters secure an American torpedo?" demanded
+Admiral Timworth.
+
+"The plotters, if they had a secret factory, could make some torpedoes
+of the American type, provided they had obtained the services of a
+draftsman and workmen familiar with the American torpedo."
+
+"That could be accomplished, in this wicked old world of ours," nodded
+Admiral Timworth, after an interval of deep thought. "I won't declare
+that I think it really has been done. Yet your various reports to me,
+Mr. Darrin, convince me that plotters really intend to sink a British
+battleship and lay the blame at our country's door. And such a deed
+might really provoke English clamor for war with our country."
+
+In the Admiral's quarters a long silence followed.
+
+At length the fleet commander looked up.
+
+"Captain Allen," he asked, "what do you think of Mr. Darrin's
+surmise?"
+
+"It looks probable to me," said the "Hudson's" commanding officer
+promptly.
+
+"It looks likely to me, also," sighed Admiral Timworth.
+
+Then the famous old sea-dog brought his clenched fist down on his desk
+with a bang.
+
+"Malta shall be our next stop," he declared. "We shall see whether any
+band of plotters can put such a plot through while we are watching!
+All mankind would shudder at such a tragedy. All the world would side
+with England and condemn the United States and her Navy! Gentlemen, I
+now believe that Mr. Darrin has revealed the details of a plan that
+will be tried. We must prevent it, gentlemen! We shall prevent it--or
+some of us will lose our lives in the effort to stop it! Darrin, you
+shall have your chance in helping us to stop it. Mr. Dalzell, you,
+too, shall have your chance! And now--Malta."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+SURIGNY'S NEXT MOVE
+
+
+In the Grand Harbor, overlooked by the town and fortress of Valetta,
+on the island of Malta, there lay at anchor the British dreadnaught
+"Albion," the cruiser "Wrexham" and the gunboat "Spite."
+
+Less than half a mile away lay the American battleships "Hudson" and
+"Allegheny" and the cruiser "Newton."
+
+It was early evening now. During the day, soon after the arrival of
+the American craft, the usual visits of courtesy had been exchanged
+between the two fleets.
+
+Admiral Barkham, of His Majesty's Navy, received a most disagreeable
+shock while in conference in Admiral Timworth's quarters. In other
+words, he had been accurately informed of all that was so far known to
+the American fleet commander.
+
+"But it is impossible," declared Admiral Barkham. "Quite impossible!"
+
+"It would seem so," replied Admiral Timworth. "Yet the outcome will be
+the best proof in the matter. Sir, with your help, I propose to catch
+that submarine, should she appear in these waters."
+
+"She will not appear," declared the Englishman. "I am convinced that
+such a thing is impossible. Only madmen would undertake to accomplish
+such a horrible thing. True, we have enemies who employ submarines in
+this war, but they do not dare to use them in attacking battleships.
+Nor would plotters without the backing of a government dare try it."
+
+Then Admiral Timworth caused Ensigns Darrin and Dalzell to be
+summoned. They came. Admiral Barkham listened to their story, his gaze
+all the time fixed on their earnest faces.
+
+It was impossible to doubt the word of two such intelligent young
+officers. Admiral Barkham found his doubts vanishing. He was prepared
+to admit that such a crime as he had heard discussed might be in
+course of planning.
+
+"Of course I know the fellow Gortchky," admitted Admiral Barkham, "and
+also that trouble-breeder, Dalny. Yet this is something amazingly more
+desperate than they have ever attempted before. I now admit, sir,"
+turning to Admiral Timworth, "that there is good reason to suppose
+that such a plot may be afoot."
+
+"The 'Maine' was sunk in Havana Harbor," rejoined the American
+Admiral, dryly. "That incident sent two nations to war. Might not
+something like the 'Maine' affair be attempted here in Valetta
+Harbor?"
+
+Sitting with bowed head the British admiral looked most uncomfortable.
+
+"At all events," he said, "it is certainly a matter of duty for the
+officers of both fleets to be on the lookout, and for them to work in
+concert. Yet I still find it all but impossible to believe what my
+judgment tells me might be possible."
+
+"You are going to advise the officers of your fleet, then?" asked
+Admiral Timworth.
+
+"I think so," replied the Englishman slowly.
+
+"In the American fleet," said Admiral Timworth, "very few officers
+will be told outside of those who are going to be charged with keeping
+a lookout for the submarine."
+
+At a sign Dave and Dan withdrew, leaving the two fleet commanders in
+earnest conversation.
+
+"It's hard for an Englishman to conceive of such a crime as being
+possible, isn't it?" asked Dan, with a melancholy grin.
+
+"Perhaps it's to the honor of his manhood that he cannot believe in
+it," Dave answered gently, as the chums sat in the latter's quarters.
+
+Dave and Dan had been excused from ship duty on account of other
+duties that were likely to be assigned to them at any time.
+
+[Illustration: "Admiral Barkham listened to their story."]
+
+Half an hour after the chums left the Admiral's quarters an orderly
+summoned them to Captain Allen's office.
+
+"Both admirals are convinced," said Captain Allen, when Dave and Dan
+had reported, "that the crime, if it is to be attempted, will be tried
+at night. As there are still a few hours before dark Admiral Timworth
+wishes you to take one of the launches and go alongside the British
+flagship. There will you find three or four young British officers
+ready to join you. You will all go ashore in Valetta and remain there
+until nearly dark. You will circulate about the town, as sight-seers
+usually do. While ashore you will keep your eyes open for glimpses of
+the Gortchky-Dalny plotters and their subordinates, whom you may find
+there. Admiral Timworth particularly desires to know whether any of
+that unsavory crew have reached Malta."
+
+The launch being ready alongside, Dave and Dan, both in uniform, went
+at once over the side. They were soon alongside the "Albion," and a
+voice from deck invited them aboard. There the officer of the deck
+introduced them to four young English officers. Three minutes later
+the party went aboard the launch, and headed toward shore.
+
+Outside of the forts and garrison buildings the town is a small one,
+though at this time there were several places of amusement open on two
+of the principal streets.
+
+Through these places the party strolled, seemingly bent only on having
+a good time.
+
+"Have you seen any of the bally spies?" murmured one of the young
+English officers, Whyte by name.
+
+"Not a sign of one," Dave answered in a low tone.
+
+"What if they're not here?" persisted Whyte.
+
+"It may be that none of them will show up at Malta," Darrin answered.
+"Or it may be that those who do come will come only on that submarine
+we are looking for."
+
+"I would like to meet one of those plotters," grumbled Dorcliffe,
+another of the English party and the possessor of a bulky frame and
+broad shoulders.
+
+"What would you do?" asked Dave smilingly.
+
+"I believe I'd jolly well choke the breath out of him!" asserted Mr.
+Dorcliffe.
+
+"That would betray the fact that we know the gang and the work that
+they're planning," Dave returned.
+
+"Would it?" asked Mr. Dorcliffe, looking thoughtful. "Oh, I say! It's
+bally hard work to contend with such bounders. Why can't all men fight
+in the open?"
+
+"Real men do," Dave answered. "The fellows we are trying to run down
+are not real men. Beings who can do wholesale murder for pay are bad
+beyond the comprehension of honest men."
+
+"But we're not finding any one that we want to see," complained
+Sutton, another of the English party.
+
+"I didn't expect to find that crew on parade," Dave replied, "and I
+think it extremely likely that none of them is now in Valetta or on
+the Island of Malta."
+
+Then all fell silent, for the leaders of the party had turned in at
+one of the cafes most frequented by visitors.
+
+There were but few people at the tables. Glancing across the room Dave
+felt a sudden throb of astonishment and disgust.
+
+Hastily rising from a table was a young man who averted his face.
+
+"There's the Count of Surigny!" whispered Dave to Whyte.
+
+An instant later a door at the side of the room closed almost
+noiselessly, with the young French nobleman on the other side of it.
+
+"Did you see that fellow?" Dave demanded, hoarsely.
+
+"We did," came the acknowledgment of Dave's group.
+
+"That is Surigny," Darrin informed them. "He is the fellow whom I
+saved from suicide at Monte Carlo, and now he is in the ranks of the
+men who have planned the worst crime of the twentieth century. Surigny
+is now where his follies have placed him--associated with the vilest
+creatures who disgrace the name of Man!"
+
+The party had seated themselves at a table where beverages and
+refreshments are served. A tireless Italian soprano and a Russian
+tenor were grinding out some of the stock music of the place. Two
+dancers were waiting to follow them.
+
+The naval officers looked bored. They were not in this cafe for
+pleasure, but strictly for business--that of national honor.
+
+A waiter strolled leisurely into the room, looked about, then
+approached the table at which the American and English officers were
+seated. Dropping a towel at Dave's side, the waiter bent over to pick
+it up, at the same time slyly pressing into Dave's hand a piece of
+paper.
+
+Holding it under the table and glancing at it, Dave found it carried a
+brief message in French. Translated, it read:
+
+"For vital reasons, I beg you to follow the waiter, who can be
+trusted, and come to me at once. Come alone and secretly. Honor
+depends upon your compliance!             S."
+
+"Surigny!" muttered Ensign Darrin, disgustedly, under his breath.
+"That impossible scoundrel! He has sold himself to those plotters, and
+now would betray me. The wretch!"
+
+Yet, after a moment's thought, Dave decided to see the man.
+
+Bending over, Dave whispered to Dan the message contained in the note.
+
+"Are you going?" quivered Dan, his eyes flashing indignation.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And I?"
+
+"You will remain here, Dan. Tell the others if you can do so without
+being overheard. Make my excuses after I have left you."
+
+Then, his head erect, his heart pumping indignantly, Dave Darrin rose
+and sought the waiter, who lingered at the end of the room.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+TRUTH, OR FRENCH ROMANCE
+
+
+"You know what is expected of you?" Dave asked the waiter, in an
+undertone.
+
+"Yes, Master," replied the man, a Maltese who spoke English with an
+odd accent.
+
+"Then I will follow you," Darrin added.
+
+At the heels of the waiter Dave went through a narrow corridor, then
+climbed a flight of stairs.
+
+Pausing before a door, the waiter knocked softly, four times.
+
+"_Entrez, s'il vous plait_" ("Come in, if you please"), a voice
+answered.
+
+Throwing open the door, the waiter bowed and swiftly departed.
+
+Ensign Dave Darrin stepped inside, closed the door, and found himself
+face to face with the Count of Surigny.
+
+That young Frenchman, his face unwontedly pale, searched Dave's face
+with his eyes.
+
+"You are not glad to see me," he said at last.
+
+"Do I show it?" inquired Darrin, his face without expression.
+
+"You are not glad to see me," Surigny went on rather sadly. "Then it
+is because you suspect."
+
+"Suspect--what?" Dave demanded, to gain time.
+
+"You know the company that I have been keeping," the young Count
+continued.
+
+"Has it been the wrong kind of company for a gentleman to keep?"
+Ensign Darrin asked coldly.
+
+"You know!" cried the Count bitterly.
+
+"Then," asked Dave, "is it indiscreet for me to ask why you have
+permitted yourself to associate with such company?"
+
+"I doubt if you would believe me," replied Surigny, wincing.
+
+"Is there any good reason why I should believe you?" Dave returned,
+studying the Frenchman's face.
+
+"Perhaps none so good as the fact that I am a gentleman," the Count of
+Surigny answered more boldly. "The word of a gentleman is always
+sacred."
+
+"May I ask to what this talk is leading?"
+
+"I hardly know how to proceed with you," complained the young
+Frenchman. "Once you did me a great service. You taught me to live and
+that to die by my own hand was cowardice. Monsieur, you taught me how
+to be a man."
+
+"And you have remembered the lesson?" Dave inquired, with the same
+expressionless face.
+
+"I at least know," the Frenchman returned, "that a man should remember
+and serve his friends."
+
+"Then you have been serving me?"
+
+"I have been working hard, swallowing insult and stifling my sense of
+decency as far as possible, in order that I might serve you and prove
+myself worthy to be your friend," replied Surigny, with such
+earnestness that Darrin now found himself staring in open-eyed
+astonishment at the young nobleman.
+
+"Perhaps you are going to try to offer me particulars of how you have
+been preparing to serve me," Dave said with a shrug.
+
+"Monsieur," cried the Frenchman, as if in sudden desperation, "are you
+prepared to accept my word as you would wish your own to be accepted?"
+
+"Wouldn't that be asking considerable of a comparative stranger?"
+
+"Then answer me upon your own honor, Monsieur Darrin," the Count of
+Surigny appealed eagerly. "Do you consider me a gentleman or--a
+rascal?"
+
+Ensign Dave opened his lips, then paused. He was now asked to speak on
+his own honor.
+
+His pallor giving way to a deep flush, Surigny suddenly opened his
+lips to speak again.
+
+"Monsieur Darrin," he urged, his voice quavering, "do me the honor to
+look in my eyes. Study me from the viewpoint of an honest man. Tell
+me whether you will believe what I have to say to you. Do not be too
+quick. Take time to think."
+
+As Dave found himself gazing into the depths of the other's eyes, and
+as he studied that appealing look, he felt his contempt for Surigny
+rapidly slipping away.
+
+"Now, speak!" begged M. le Comte de Surigny. "Will you believe what I
+am about to tell you, as one man of honor speaks to another?"
+
+For an instant Ensign Dave hesitated. Then he answered quickly:
+
+"Yes; I will believe you, Monsieur le Comte."
+
+"In doing so, do you feel the slightest hesitation?"
+
+"Naturally," rejoined Darrin, a slight smile parting his lips, "I am
+assailed by some doubts as to whether I am wise in doing so, but I
+will believe what you have to say to me. I prefer to believe you to
+be, of your own choice, a man of honor."
+
+Surigny uttered a cry of delight. Then he went on:
+
+"Perhaps, Monsieur Darrin, you will even be willing to set me the
+example in truthfulness by telling me whether you know of the plot of
+those with whom I have had the shame of being associated."
+
+"You will doubtless recall, Monsieur le Comte, since it was said only
+a moment ago, that I promised only to believe what you might have to
+say to me. I did not promise to tell you anything."
+
+Indeed, at this point, Ensign Dave was perilously near to breaking his
+word as to believing Surigny. It looked to him as if the Frenchman
+were "fencing" in order to extract information.
+
+"Well, then," exclaimed Surigny, with a gesture of disappointment, "I
+will tell you that which I feel I must. Listen, then. With Gortchky,
+Mender, Dalny and others, I have been engaged in a plan to cause a
+British warship to be sunk in the harbor yonder, and under
+circumstances such as to make it appear as the work of you Americans.
+Did you know that, Monsieur?"
+
+"Go on," urged Dave Darrin.
+
+"At first," murmured the Count, coming closer, "I believed Gortchky's
+statement that I was being engaged in secret diplomatic service. When
+I learned the truth, I was deeply involved with the miserable crew.
+Also, I was very much in debt, for Gortchky was ever a willing lender.
+
+"There came a day, Monsieur, when there dawned on me the vileness of
+the wicked plot in which I had become engaged. For a few hours I felt
+that to destroy myself was the only way in which I could retrieve my
+honor. But the lesson you had taught served me well in those hours of
+need. Then the thought of you, an officer in the American Navy,
+brought a new resolve into my mind. No pledges that I had ignorantly
+made to such scoundrels could bind me. I was not their slave. Pledges
+to do anything that could bring dishonor upon one are not binding on a
+man of honor. I did not even feel a sense of debt to Gortchky, for he
+had used the money with evil intentions. From the moment of these
+realizations I had but one object in view. I would go on taking such
+money as I needed, and with no thought of the debt; and I would serve
+these monsters with such seeming fidelity that I could at last find my
+way open to serving _you_ fully, Monsieur Darrin. I pause for an
+instant. Do you believe all that I have just told you, my friend?"
+
+"Yes," answered Dave. The next second he caught himself wondering if,
+through that "yes," he had unintentionally lied.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+THE ALLIES CLEAR FOR ACTION
+
+
+"I left Naples for this island on an east-bound liner," continued the
+Count of Surigny. "Not until within an hour of sailing did I know the
+whole of the terrible story that now spoils my sleep at night and
+haunts me by day. Monsieur Darrin, if you have scented any dreadful
+plot, at least I do not believe you know just what it is."
+
+Once more the young Frenchman paused. Dave, however, having regained
+his expressionless facial appearance, only said:
+
+"Go on, Monsieur le Comte."
+
+"Then I have but to tell you what the plot is," resumed Surigny.
+"Gortchky, Mender, Dalny and others knew that the American fleet would
+stop at Malta, because American fleets in these waters always do stop
+at Malta. They knew also that a British fleet often remains here for
+months at a time. So these arch scoundrels knew to a certainty that
+the 'Hudson' of your Navy would be here in due course of time. In a
+word, every plan has been made for sinking a British battleship here
+at Malta under circumstances which will make it appear to be plainly
+the work of a group of American naval men."
+
+Darrin, still silent, steadily eyed the Frenchman.
+
+"You do not start!" uttered Surigny, in amazement. "Then it must be
+because you already know of the plot!"
+
+"Go on, please," urged Dave quietly.
+
+"The plan must have been made long ago," the Frenchman continued,
+"for, before August, 1914, before the great war started, though just
+when I do not know, Gortchky and the others, or their superiors, had a
+submarine completed at Trieste. It was supposed to be a secret order
+placed for the Turkish government. The craft was not a large one.
+Gortchky and some associates took the submarine out for trial
+themselves. Days later they returned, reporting that the underseas
+craft had foundered, but that they had escaped to land in a
+collapsible boat. Most of the payments on the submersible had already
+been made. Gortchky paid the balance without protest, and the matter
+was all but forgotten.
+
+"I do not know what reason Gortchky had given the builder, if indeed
+he offered any explanation, but the tubes in the submarine had been
+made of the right dimensions and fitted with the right mechanism to
+fire the American torpedo. And a man whom I judge to have been a
+German spy in America before the war--a German who had served as
+draftsman in the employ of an American munitions firm--was at Trieste
+to furnish the design for both the torpedo tubes and for the four
+American torpedoes that the Trieste firm also supplied.
+
+"You will have divined, of course, Monsieur Darrin," Surigny
+continued, "that the submarine was not lost, but concealed at a point
+somewhere along the shores of the Mediterranean until wanted. So far
+ahead do some enemies plot! Where the submarine has remained during
+the interval I do not know, but I do know that, submerged only deep
+enough for concealment, she has been towed to these waters recently by
+relays of fishing boats manned by Maltese traitors to Britain. Ah,
+those rascally Maltese! They know no country and they laugh at
+patriotism. They worship only the dollar, and are ever ready to sell
+themselves! And the submarine will endeavor to sink the British
+battleship to-night!"
+
+"To-night!" gasped Darrin, now thoroughly aroused.
+
+"To-night," Surigny nodded, sadly, his face ghastly pale. "Even the
+yacht that carries the plotters is here."
+
+"These are hardly the times," Dave remarked, "when it would seem to
+any naval commander a plausible thing for a yacht to cruise in the
+submarine-infested Mediterranean. And, if the plotters are using and
+directing the movements of a yacht, I am unable to see how they could
+obtain clearance papers from any port."
+
+"Oh, the yacht's sailing papers are correct," Surigny declared,
+eagerly. "The yacht has Russian registry and is supposed to be sold to
+Japanese buyers to be put in trade between the United States and
+Japan, carrying materials from which the Japanese make Russian
+munitions of war. So you will see how plausible it is to be engaged in
+transferring a Russian yacht to Japanese registry at this time."
+
+"Humph!" grunted Darrin. "It seems a stupid thing, indeed, for any
+Japanese shipping firm to buy a low, narrow craft, like the typical
+yacht, to convert her into a freighter."
+
+"Ah, but the yacht is neither low nor narrow," replied Surigny. "She
+is a craft of some three thousand tons, broad of beam and with plenty
+of freeboard."
+
+"What flag does she fly?" Dave asked.
+
+"That I do not know," was the Count's answer. "It may be that she does
+not fly any. Two of her passengers are reported to be a Russian prince
+and a Japanese marquis. But Monsieur Mender is not a Russian at all,
+and no more a prince than he is a Russian. As for the Japanese, he is
+merely a Filipino, once a mess attendant in your Navy, and now a
+deserter, for he hates your country."
+
+"When will the yacht reach these waters?" Dave inquired.
+
+"As I have said, she is here already, or as near as she will come,"
+the Frenchman continued. "At noon she was at anchorage in the channel
+between the islands of Comino and Gozo. It is known as the North
+Channel."
+
+"I know the spot," said Dave, nodding. "Comino is the little island
+that is used as a quarantine station. Monsieur le Comte, do you know
+anything more, of importance, that you have not already told me?"
+
+"Monsieur Darrin, I believe that nothing of importance has been left
+out of my narrative. But you believe me? You will now accept my hand?"
+
+"Yes," Dave burst out, extending his hand almost impulsively. M. le
+Comte Surigny seized it delightedly.
+
+"Ah, it is good, it is grand!" cried the young Frenchman, "after such
+associates as I have had for weeks, to find myself again fit for the
+confidence and the friendship of a gentleman!"
+
+"But what will become of you?" asked Dave, a feeling of regret
+suddenly assailing him. "What will become of you, my dear Surigny? Is
+it likely that the plotters, if they be foiled, will suspect you? Is
+it likely that they would seek your life as a forfeit?"
+
+"What is my life?" laughed the Frenchman gayly. "I have never valued
+it highly, but now, when I have won back my self-respect, a blow in
+the dark would be but a mark of honor. If they wish to kill me, let
+them. It would be a glorious death, in the cause of honor!"
+
+Dave glanced out of the window, then gave a start of alarm.
+
+"Time is passing," he murmured. "I must take my information where it
+will be of the most service. And you, Surigny, may I take the liberty,
+without waiting to ask our Admiral's leave, of inviting you to accept
+the hospitality of the flagship? Will you come on board with me?"
+
+"Afterward," replied the Frenchman. "Afterward, when the truth of what
+I have told you is recognized."
+
+"Where will you stay for the present, then?"
+
+"Where I am now," smiled the Count.
+
+Dave took one long step forward, again gripping Count Surigny's right
+hand with both his own hands.
+
+"Surigny, I am under more obligations than I can ever repay. Few men
+with the instinct of a gentleman could have endured, for weeks, having
+to associate with and serve such rascals as this grewsome crew. You
+have, indeed, proved yourself noble, and I deeply regret that I have
+ever allowed myself to distrust and dislike you."
+
+"Let us say no more," begged the Count. "After the chase is over--and
+may you win the game--you will find me here, reveling in the thought
+that I have been able to warn you so completely."
+
+Had it not been that he again remembered how late it was growing,
+Ensign Darrin would have remained longer with this now bright-faced
+Frenchman. As it was, Dave tore himself away from Surigny, and lost no
+time in rejoining his party below.
+
+As Dave stepped to the table, Lieutenant Whyte, of the British Navy,
+raised his eyebrows in slight interrogation. None spoke.
+
+"I don't know," smiled Darrin, "how it goes with you gentlemen of
+England, but I am sure Dalzell will agree with me that it is time to
+get back to our ship."
+
+"It is," Dalzell affirmed, taking the cue.
+
+The score was settled, after which the party left the hotel. Dave
+stepped to Whyte's side. Through the streets of the little town the
+party passed quickly by twos, gayly chatting. Once they were clear of
+the streets and near the mole Dave began:
+
+"Mr. Whyte, the moment for action is at hand. Surigny sent for me, and
+I believe he has told me the truth. He felt under obligations, and,
+when invited, joined the international plotters in order to find out
+how he could serve me. He has told me that a yacht bearing the
+supervising plotters is now anchored in North Channel, and that the
+submarine is concealed somewhere under neighboring waters. It is the
+intention of the plotters to attempt to sink one of your ships
+to-night."
+
+"Do you believe the fellow?" demanded Whyte in a shocked tone.
+
+"At first I found it hard to believe him," Dave admitted, "but now I
+believe that he told me the truth."
+
+"And if he has not?" questioned the British officer.
+
+"In any event, Whyte, the yacht must be watched. However, your Admiral
+Barkham will have to decide what action shall be taken."
+
+"Do you know whether others of the crew, besides Surigny, are in
+Valetta?" Whyte asked.
+
+"I did not ask Surigny," Dave rejoined. "Indeed, it is not important
+to know. What we must do is to catch the submarine; the conspirators
+may wait for subsequent overhauling."
+
+At Darrin's signal the launch from the flagship promptly put off.
+Darrin ordered that the English officers be put aboard their own ship
+first. As the launch drew alongside the "Albion" Dave added:
+
+"Mr. Whyte, I shall wait until you ascertain whether your Admiral has
+any message to send to Admiral Timworth. That, of course, would be
+after hearing your report."
+
+For ten minutes the "Hudson's" launch lay alongside the "Albion." Then
+Mr. Whyte appeared, coming nimbly down the gangway and stepping into
+the launch.
+
+"With Admiral Barkham's compliments, I am to carry a message to
+Admiral Timworth," Whyte announced. "I am also to inquire whether your
+Captain desires a conference with Admiral Timworth before I deliver my
+message."
+
+Dave conducted the English officer aboard the American flagship.
+Captain Allen soon received them. He heard Ensign Darrin's report,
+then telephoned to Admiral Timworth for permission to bring to his
+quarters the English admiral's representative, together with his own
+youngest officers.
+
+Admiral Timworth received them, listening attentively to the report
+that Dave had to make of his conversation with the Count of Surigny.
+
+"Do you believe that the Frenchman was telling the truth?" the fleet
+commander inquired. Dave answered in the affirmative.
+
+"Does your message from Admiral Barkham concern the Frenchman's
+report?" inquired Admiral Timworth, turning to Whyte, who had kept
+modestly in the background.
+
+"It does, sir," Lieutenant Whyte answered, stepping forward. "Admiral
+Barkham's compliments, sir, and he has used the wireless to the
+quarantine station on Comino Island. Such a yacht as the Count of
+Surigny described is at anchor in North Channel, and is reported to
+have a Russian prince and a Japanese nobleman on board. So Admiral
+Barkham gives at least that much credence to the Frenchman's story."
+
+Whyte paused a moment, that Admiral Timworth might speak, if he chose,
+then continued:
+
+"Admiral Barkham imagines, sir, that you would like to have a share in
+searching the yacht and in guarding against submarine attack. To that
+end, sir, he signaled to the military governor at Malta and secured
+the latter's assent to a plan of having the American naval forces
+co-operate with us in running down the plot."
+
+"Of course we shall be glad to aid," declared Admiral Timworth,
+heartily, "and we are much complimented over being invited to help you
+in British waters."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+MAKING STERN WORK OF IT
+
+
+Lieutenant Whyte then unfolded, briefly, the plan of Admiral Barkham
+for procedure against the yacht and the submarine. To these plans
+Admiral Timworth quickly agreed.
+
+"We have four large launches on the flagship," the fleet commander
+stated. "Three of these shall be put over the side, officered and
+manned and ready for instant service."
+
+"Admiral Barkham also suggests, sir, that, during the night, the
+officers in command of your launches run without lights, when
+possible, for secrecy," Whyte continued.
+
+"How many launches will Admiral Barkham put in service?" Admiral
+Timworth inquired.
+
+"Three, sir," responded Whyte.
+
+"Who will be the ranking officer in your fleet of launches?"
+
+"I believe I am to be, sir," Lieutenant Whyte replied, bowing.
+
+"Very good," nodded Admiral Timworth. "It would not be courteous, in
+British waters, Mr. Whyte, for me to appoint an officer who would
+rank yourself, so I shall ask Captain Allen to designate Ensign Darrin
+as ranking officer in our launch fleet. Ensign Dalzell will naturally
+command another of the launches. Who will command the third, Captain?"
+
+"Ensign Phillips," replied Captain Allen.
+
+The courtesy of appointing an ensign to head the American launch fleet
+lay in the fact that an ensign is one grade lower in the service than
+a junior lieutenant. When naval forces of different nations act
+together the ranking officer, no matter what country he represents, is
+in command. Had Admiral Timworth put his launch fleet in charge of a
+lieutenant commander, for instance, then the British launches, too,
+would have been under the command of the American officer. As it was,
+Lieutenant Whyte would be ranking and commanding officer in the
+combined launch fleet. This was both right and courteous, as Malta is
+an English possession, and the waters near by are British waters.
+
+Plans were briefly discussed, yet with the thoroughness that is given
+to all naval operations. Lieutenant Whyte departed, and Ensign
+Phillips was sent for. Admiral Timworth and Captain Allen charged the
+young officers with their duties, upon the successful performance of
+which so much depended.
+
+"Remember, gentlemen," was Captain Allen's final word, "that, in line
+with what the Admiral has stated, you are merely to co-operate with,
+and act under the orders of, the British ranking officer. Yet, if
+occasion arise, you will display all needed initiative in attaining
+the objective, which is the capture of the scoundrelly plotters and
+the seizure of the submarine before it can work any mischief. You will
+even sink the submarine by ramming, if no other course be open to stop
+her wicked work."
+
+Each of the flagship's launches was equipped with a searchlight. While
+the council was going on in the Admiral's quarters the electricians of
+the ship were busy overhauling these searchlights and making sure that
+all were in perfect working order.
+
+From the British flagship came a prearranged signal to the effect that
+Lieutenant Whyte was about to put off.
+
+Dave's launch crew comprised, besides machinists and the
+quartermaster, twenty-four sailors and eight marines. A one-pound
+rapid-fire gun was mounted in the bow, and a machine gun amidships.
+
+"Send your men over the side, Ensign Darrin," Captain Allen ordered,
+as he took Dave's hand. "Go, and keep in mind, every second, how much
+your work means to-night."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir," Dave answered.
+
+When the word was passed, Dave's launch party was marched out on deck
+and sent down over the side. Dave Darrin took his place in the stern,
+standing by to receive any further instructions that might be shouted
+down to him. "Cast off and clear!" called down the executive officer.
+
+Dan Dalzell, whose launch party was not to clear until a later hour,
+waved a hand at his chum. Dave waved back in general salute.
+
+At the same time Lieutenant Whyte put off from the "Albion" and sped
+onward to meet the American craft.
+
+"We are to sail in company to North Channel," called Whyte.
+
+"Very good, sir," Dave answered, saluting.
+
+With three hundred feet of clear water between them, the launches
+moved rapidly along.
+
+The distance to the middle of North Channel was about fifteen miles.
+Time and speed had been so calculated that the yacht should not be
+able to sight them by daylight. After dark the two launches were to
+maneuver more closely together, and Whyte, who knew the North Channel,
+was to be pilot for both craft until it came time to use their
+searchlights.
+
+Over in the west the sun went down. Darkness soon came on. Neither
+launch displayed even running lights. One had a sense of groping his
+way, yet the launches dashed along at full speed.
+
+Dave Darrin was now in the bow, with the signalman at his side, who
+would turn on the searchlight when so ordered. With his night glasses
+at his eyes, Ensign Dave could tell when the British launch veered
+sharply to port or starboard, and thus was able to steer his own
+course accordingly.
+
+Twelve minutes later a brief ray shot from the Englishman's
+searchlight. It was the signal.
+
+"Turn on your light," Dave ordered to the man at his side. "Swing it
+until you pick up the North Channel. Then pick up and hold a yacht--"
+
+Ensign Darrin followed with the best description he had of the strange
+yacht.
+
+Less than a minute later the lights on both navy launches had picked
+up the strange yacht, well over in the Channel. Dave studied her
+through his glass.
+
+"That's the craft," Darrin muttered to himself. "My, but she looks her
+part! While she isn't large for a freighter, she's well calculated for
+that class of work."
+
+"Your best speed ahead, sir!" shouted Whyte, through a megaphone.
+"Board the yacht on her starboard quarter. Quick work, sir!"
+
+"Very good, sir!" Dave called back.
+
+Then he stepped swiftly amidships to the engineers.
+
+"Get every inch of speed to be had out of the engines, my man."
+
+Next, to the helmsman:
+
+"Quartermaster, steer straight ahead and make that yacht's starboard
+quarter!"
+
+As Dave turned, he found his own face within three inches of Seaman
+Runkle's glowing countenance.
+
+"Runkle," Dave smiled, "we are fond of the Englishmen. Their
+commanding officer called for our best speed, and we're going to show
+it."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir!" grinned Runkle. "When any foreigner asks for the best
+we have in speed, he's likely to see it, sir."
+
+Already the "Hudson's" launch had drawn smartly ahead of the British
+craft, and the distance between them grew steadily, though the
+Englishman was doing his best to keep up in the race.
+
+Under the yacht's stern dashed the launch, and brought up smartly
+under the starboard quarter, laying alongside.
+
+"Hullo, there! Vat you call wrong?" demanded a voice in broken English
+from the yacht's rail.
+
+"Naval party coming aboard, sir," Dave responded courteously. "Take a
+line!"
+
+"I vill not!" came the defiant answer.
+
+"All the same, then," Dave answered lightly. "Bow, there! Make fast
+with grapple. Stern, do the same!"
+
+Two lines were thrown, each with a grappling hook on the end. These
+caught on the yacht's rail. Three or four sailormen, one after the
+other, climbed the grappling lines. Two rope ladders were swiftly
+rigged over the side, by the Americans on the yacht's deck. Dave
+Darrin was quickly on board, with twenty of his seamen and all his
+marines, by the time that the English launch rounded in alongside the
+port quarter.
+
+"You? Vat you mean?" demanded a short, swarthy-faced man, evidently
+captain of the yacht, as he peered at Dave's party. "You are American
+sailors!"
+
+"Right," Darrin nodded.
+
+"And dese are British vaters!"
+
+"No matter," Dave smiled back at the blustering fellow. "Here come the
+Englishmen."
+
+For he had sent four of his men to catch and make fast the lines from
+the British launch, and now the British jack-tars, taking their
+beating in the race good-humoredly, were piling on board.
+
+"Captain," cried Lieutenant Whyte, striding forward, "I represent
+Admiral Barkham, ranking officer of His Majesty's Navy in these
+waters. I have the Admiral's orders to search this craft."
+
+"You search him for vat, sir?" demanded the skipper.
+
+"My orders are secret, sir. The search will begin at once. Ensign
+Darrin, if you will leave your marines to hold the deck, we will use
+all our seamen and yours below."
+
+"Very good, sir," Dave replied, saluting. "You do not wish any one
+allowed to leave the yacht, do you, Lieutenant?"
+
+"Not without my permission or yours, Ensign."
+
+Dave accordingly gave the order to the corporal in charge of his
+marine party.
+
+In another minute American and English tars were swarming below decks
+on the yacht.
+
+On deck and in the wheel house Darrin had not seen more than four men
+of the yacht's crew, besides the skipper.
+
+"There do not seem to be any men below," Dave muttered, as he explored
+the yacht between decks. "I wonder if that skipper gets along with
+four deck hands in addition to his engine-room and steward forces."
+
+His men in squads, under petty officers, worked rapidly. Dave Darrin
+moved more slowly, passing on into the dining cabin and the social
+hall of the yacht, which were below decks.
+
+Adjoining the social hall were several cabins. Dave threw open the
+doors of the first few he came to, finding in them no signs of
+occupation.
+
+Then a steward, smiling and bowing, appeared and asked him in French:
+
+"Do you seek any one here?"
+
+"You have a Prince aboard?" Dave asked.
+
+"Even so."
+
+"And a Japanese nobleman?"
+
+"We have."
+
+"I wish to see them."
+
+"Both are resting at present," the steward expostulated.
+
+"I must see them immediately," Dave insisted.
+
+"It is hardly possible, sir," protested the steward. "It is not to be
+expected that I can disturb such august guests."
+
+"Steward, do you wish me to summon my men and have these cabin doors
+battered down?"
+
+"Do not do that!" urged the steward in alarm. "Wait! I have pass-keys.
+Which would you see first?"
+
+"The Prince, by all means."
+
+"I will admit you to his room, Monsieur, and next silently slip away.
+But be good enough to let the Prince believe that he left his door
+unlocked. This way, monsieur."
+
+Finishing his whispered speech, the steward glided ahead. He unlocked
+a cabin door, opening it but a crack. Dave stepped softly inside.
+Instantly the door was pulled shut and locked.
+
+Through transoms on opposite sides of the cabin Mender and Dalny
+showed their evil faces, as each trained on the young naval officer an
+ugly-looking naval revolver.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+AFTER THE PEST OF THE SEAS
+
+
+"Make a sound, and you feed the fishes, my fine young naval dandy!"
+hissed Dalny.
+
+"Pooh!" retorted Dave, contemptuously. "Order your steward to unlock
+that door, or I shall be put to the trouble of smashing it down with
+my shoulder."
+
+"And be shot in the back while you are doing it," jeered Mender.
+
+"I haven't had the honor of meeting you before, but I take it that you
+are the bogus Russian Prince," laughed Dave. "Just now, though, you
+look much more like an apprentice to the Black Hand."
+
+"You should be saying your prayers, instead of talking impudence,"
+sneered Dalny.
+
+"As for this cardboard Prince, words fail me," mocked Dave, still
+speaking in French, "but as for you, Dalny, I have already tested your
+courage, and know it to be worthless. You are a coward, and would not
+dare to use that revolver, knowing, as you must, that my men are
+aboard and would tear you to pieces. Go ahead and shoot, if you dare.
+I am going to break my way out of this cabin, and then I shall arrest
+both of you."
+
+"Is there no way of compromising?" begged Dalny, his evil face paling,
+"In exchange for your life, Monsieur Darrin, can you not offer us a
+chance for escape?"
+
+"One brave man down!" laughed Ensign Dave. "That was spoken like the
+coward that you are, Dalny."
+
+Darrin turned to break down the door. He knew that he was taking
+chances, for the sham Prince might be a man cast in a braver mould
+than Dalny, and, in his desperation, might shoot at the back that Dave
+so recklessly presented.
+
+At the third lunge from Darrin's sturdy shoulder, the door snapped
+open at the lock. The young naval officer stepped out into the social
+hall. There was no sign of the steward.
+
+"Seaman here!" Dave bawled lustily. He was obliged to repeat the
+summons twice before a hearty "Aye, aye, sir!" was heard in the
+distance.
+
+Then Jack Runkle showed his jovial face at the top of the
+companionway. Catching sight of his officer, Runkle bounded down the
+steps and came up on a run, saluting.
+
+"Runkle, go to the corporal of marines and ask him to send two men
+here. Then stand by."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir."
+
+Runkle was off like a shot on his errand and soon returned with two
+marines.
+
+"Now, men," Dave directed, pointing to the doors, "batter them down.
+That door, first."
+
+As the men aligned themselves for the assault, Darrin, mindful that
+the sham Prince was armed and might prove ugly, stood by with his
+revolver drawn.
+
+Bang! crash! The door was down.
+
+"It will be wise to surrender to superior force," Darrin called
+sternly. "We shall shoot to kill at any sign of resistance."
+
+As the words were uttered in French the marines did not understand,
+but they advanced unhesitatingly on Mender, disarmed him and led him
+outside the room.
+
+"Take care of him, Runkle," ordered Dave. "Now, marines, that other
+door!"
+
+Down came the barrier, and Dalny, shaking and white, was brought out
+to keep Mender company.
+
+"Break down every door that's locked," was Darrin's next order.
+
+Within five minutes a little, quaking brown man was secured and led
+out. All the locked cabins had now been entered.
+
+"You're the Japanese marquis, are you?" Dave jeered. "Do you find,
+Marquis, that it pays any better than being a Filipino mess
+attendant?"
+
+The Filipino hung his head without answering.
+
+"Take these prisoners to the corporal of marines, and ask him to iron
+them and watch them closely," Dave directed. "Runkle, do you know
+where Lieutenant Whyte is?"
+
+"In the hold, sir, or was."
+
+"Follow me, then, and we'll see if we can find him."
+
+Down in the main cargo hold forward, Dave and Runkle came upon Whyte
+and a party of English and American sailormen.
+
+"Ah, there you are, Mr. Darrin," called Whyte. "We've been making a
+jolly big search through the hold, but, except for ship's supplies, it
+appears to contain nothing very interesting. However, we shall have
+time to examine it further later on. And you?"
+
+"I have three prisoners," Dave explained, and told who and what they
+were.
+
+"Take them with you, Ensign, if you have room on your launch," Whyte
+directed. "I will now take my men above and post a guard, so that you
+may withdraw your own guard and get under way at once."
+
+"We have done well so far," Dave answered, as he gripped the English
+officer's hand. "I pray that we may be permitted to do as well all
+through the night."
+
+Runkle was sent through the craft to recall all of the American
+sailors.
+
+When Dave reached the deck he found that the entire crew of the yacht,
+including the engine-room force and the stewards, had been rounded up
+and driven to the deck.
+
+"Over the side," directed Darrin, as his men, recalled, gathered near
+him. He followed, but went over last of all. Orders for casting off
+and shoving clear were instantly given.
+
+"Keep the engines up to their best performance all the way," was
+Dave's order. "Boatswain's mate, watch sharp for the courses, as I may
+change frequently."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir."
+
+Heading out of North Channel, Dave drove back for Valetta, keeping
+about a mile off the coast.
+
+After making a few knots, he came abreast of another British launch
+that lay further to seaward. With lantern signals the Englishman
+asked:
+
+"Is the submarine supposed to be loose?"
+
+"Yes," Dave had his signalman reply.
+
+"Where?"
+
+"Don't know."
+
+"I'm here to warn incoming ships against entering Grand Harbor
+to-night," the Englishman wound up. "Are you seeking the submarine?"
+
+"Yes," Dave had flashed back.
+
+"Good luck to you!" came heartily from the English launch.
+
+"Thank you," was Darrin's final response.
+
+The searchlight of Dave's launch was swinging busily from side to
+side, searching every bit of the water's surface that could be
+reached.
+
+"If the submarine comes up, Runkle, you may be the first to sight
+her," Dave smiled to that seaman, who stood beside him.
+
+"Aye, aye, sir; if I sight that craft I won't be mean enough to keep
+my news to myself."
+
+"I wonder where Dalzell is," thought Dave. "What is he doing in this
+night's work?"
+
+As for Ensign Dave, his every nerve was keyed to its highest pitch.
+Outwardly he was wholly calm, but he felt all the responsibility that
+rested upon him to-night, as did every other officer who commanded a
+launch from either fleet.
+
+Searchlight and naked vision were not enough. Almost constantly Darrin
+had his night glass at his eyes.
+
+Suddenly, as the light shifted over the water, Dave thought he caught
+sight of something unusual.
+
+"Steady with that light there, signalman," he commanded suddenly.
+"Back slowly to port with the beam."
+
+Darrin forced himself to be calm.
+
+"Steady," he called, again. "Hold the light on anything you see,
+signalman."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir; I _do_ see something," replied the man who was
+manipulating the searchlight.
+
+That he did see the mysterious something was proved by the manner in
+which he kept the light upon it.
+
+That on which Darrin now trained his night glass was a marked rippling
+on the water, half a mile away, and farther seaward. A landsman would
+have missed it altogether. Yet that rippling on the sea's surface was
+clearly different from the motion of the water near by.
+
+"It might be a school of large fish," Dave mused aloud, in Runkle's
+hearing, "though at night they are likely to rest. Runkle, and you,
+men, keep your eyes peeled to see if you can make out fish leaping out
+of the water."
+
+The ripple continued, unbroken at any point. Moreover, it moved at
+uniform speed, and in a line nearly parallel with the coast.
+
+Gradually the launch gained on that ripple. Dave could not turn his
+fascinated gaze away from the sight.
+
+"I think I know what that is, sir," broke in Seaman Runkle, after
+three minutes of watching.
+
+"I am sure that I _do_, Runkle," Dave Darrin returned. "It's a
+submarine, for some reason just barely submerged. That line of ripple
+is the wake left by her periscope."
+
+As if to confirm the young naval officer's words, the ripple parted.
+As the line on the water broke, the periscope came fully into view,
+and the turret showed above water, continuing to rise until the deck
+was awash.
+
+"There's the pest of the seas!" cried an excited voice.
+
+Every man on the launch was now straining his eyes for a better look
+at the submarine, barely a quarter of a mile away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+THE PUZZLE OF THE DEEP
+
+
+"Coxswain!" shouted Dave.
+
+"Aye, aye, sir."
+
+"Send up three blue rockets!"
+
+"Aye, aye, sir."
+
+One after another the rockets ascended, bursting high overhead and
+slowly falling.
+
+From Grand Harbor, several miles distant, a rocket ascended and burst,
+showing red.
+
+Darrin's signal had been seen and answered. Both fleets now knew that
+one of the launches had sighted the submarine craft. The three blue
+rockets had been the signal agreed upon in advance. Runkle was at the
+gun. Ensign Darrin gave him the range.
+
+"I wish we had a four-inch gun in the bow," Dave muttered wistfully,
+"but we'll have to do the best we can with the one-pounder. Ready!
+Fire!"
+
+Even before the command to fire had been uttered the craft ahead had
+begun to submerge.
+
+As the brisk, snappy report of the little piece sounded, and a faint
+puff of smoke left her muzzle, Runkle's head bobbed up to watch the
+result of his shot.
+
+"Forward of her turret by about a foot!" Runkle muttered in disgusted
+criticism of his own shooting.
+
+A sailor had thrown the breech open, while a second swabbed the bore
+through and the first fitted in a fresh shell, closing the breech with
+a snap.
+
+Runkle seemed to sight and fire almost in the same instant, and, as
+before, straightened up to watch the accuracy of his shot by the
+splash of water on the other side of the craft. The launch's
+searchlight held a steady glare on the mark.
+
+"Nearer by a few inches, sir," Runkle called over his shoulder while
+the men with him swabbed and loaded. Again Runkle fired.
+
+"The shell must have passed aft of the turret by about six inches,"
+remarked Darrin, catching through his glass a glimpse of the splash of
+water where the little shell struck the waves.
+
+"I'll do better, or drown myself, sir," growled Runkle.
+
+"Quick! She is submerging rapidly," commanded Darrin.
+
+Bang! An instant after the report a smothered exclamation came from
+the unhappy gunner. The submarine had safely submerged. Not even her
+periscope was above water now.
+
+"If the turret had been four inches nearer the sky you'd have put it
+out of commission," declared Ensign Darrin.
+
+"Rotten work," growled Runkle in disgust.
+
+"It's night shooting, my man," Dave answered. "Good work just the
+same."
+
+Runkle had an excellent gunnery record, and Darrin did not like to see
+that fine fellow fretting when he had done his best. None the less it
+was highly important to send that submarine to the bottom and quickly
+at that.
+
+"We've got to go by bubbles, now," Darrin declared. "She isn't likely
+to show her eye again."
+
+Had he gotten the launch close enough to observe the bubbles it is
+possible that the young ensign could have followed the enemy trail.
+Twice or thrice Dave believed that he had picked up glimpses of
+bubbles with the searchlight, but at last, with a sigh, he gave orders
+to shut off speed and drift. Inaction became wellnigh insupportable
+after a few moments and Darrin called for slow speed ahead.
+
+"There she is again" he cried. "There's her periscope. The scoundrel
+is standing out to sea."
+
+Over the starboard quarter the searchlight signals of two other
+launches were observed.
+
+"What's taking place?" came the signaled question from one.
+
+"Fired a few shots at a vanishing turret, but missed," Dave ordered
+signaled back. "Enemy standing out to sea. Am following."
+
+"Will follow also," flashed back the answer.
+
+"And one of their gunners will bag the game at the first chance,"
+groaned Runkle. "The jinx is sitting tight on my chest to-night!"
+
+"It might be, if there were any such animal as a jinx," laughed
+Darrin. "Your missing was just plain bad luck, Runkle. Your shooting
+was good."
+
+"The periscope is being pulled inboard, sir," called one of the seamen
+who stood by with Runkle.
+
+"I see it. There she goes, under again," Dave answered.
+
+The Navy launch was dashing full speed ahead. But with no clue to
+follow, Darrin passed some anxious seconds. Should he follow on the
+course he had been taking, or should he shut off speed? In the dark
+there was a good chance that the submarine commander, if so minded,
+would be able to double and head back for shore.
+
+Land lights were still visible from his position. Dave turned to
+estimate their distance.
+
+"About six knots off shore," he concluded, half aloud.
+
+"Sir?" questioned the corporal of marines, thinking the ensign was
+addressing him.
+
+"I was just telling myself that we're about six knots off shore."
+
+"Yes, sir," replied the corporal, saluting.
+
+"Listen to me, you men who are near enough to hear. Your understanding
+of what is in my mind may help you the better to work with me on this
+job. Two launches are keeping with us, over the starboard, and I judge
+the nearer one to be about four knots off. Coxswain, use the lantern
+signal and ask who commands."
+
+Soon Hardy discovered that, in order to make his signal visible at
+that distance, he would have to stand higher. Springing to the forward
+deck his signal was instantly understood on the other craft.
+
+Dave, who had jumped up beside him, read the answer:
+
+"Ensign Dalzell."
+
+"I was sure of it," Dave smiled. "Coxswain, order number 2 launch to
+come up on parallel course, standing off half-mile to starboard of
+us."
+
+"Order understood," was flashed back from Dalzell's launch.
+
+Bit by bit Dan overhauled, at last taking the position indicated.
+Darrin's launch was moving at slow speed now, for he did not care to
+run out of sight of land, thus leaving the way clear for the submarine
+to double on him and put back toward Grand Harbor.
+
+"Why doesn't the fellow take a chance on torpedoing us?" was signaled
+from Dalzell's launch.
+
+"He has only three," was Darrin's reply.
+
+That was brief, but Danny Grin understood, as Dave had intended he
+should, that the submarine was believed to be equipped with only three
+torpedoes. Evidently the enemy still hoped for a chance to sink a
+British battleship.
+
+Suddenly he discovered that for which he sought, and in the same
+instant a seaman called, as the rays of the searchlight shifted:
+
+"Periscope two points off the port bow, sir."
+
+"Right!" clicked Ensign Darrin.
+
+"May I fire, sir?" begged Runkle, bending over his piece.
+
+"Yes, try it. Pretty long shot, though."
+
+Before Runkle could aim and discharge his piece a swift, red flash
+shot from the bow of the number 2 launch commanded by Danny Grin.
+Runkle fired a second later, but the periscope still stood as if
+mocking the eager gunners.
+
+"I'm glad somebody else missed," growled Runkle, who was becoming
+exasperated. He was doing himself injustice, though, for each time he
+had fired, his mark, considering the distance, had been small, and the
+searchlight was no peer of daylight in aiding a gunner.
+
+Ensign Darrin admitted to himself that he was stumped. He ordered the
+course changed, with speed ahead, his purpose being to scan the water
+for the bubbled trail left by the underseas craft. But by the time
+that he judged himself to be going over the recently observed position
+of the submersible the searchlight revealed no bubbles.
+
+The third launch now coming in close, Dave, by signal, ordered Ensign
+Sutton of the British forces to go slowly inshore. He too was to watch
+for bubbles, as well as to be alert for a re-appearance of the enemy
+craft.
+
+The longer the suspense lasted, the more uneasy Darrin became.
+
+"There she is, sir!" called a low but penetrating voice from the
+stern watch. "Three points off the stern to port, sir."
+
+So quickly did the helmsman bring the launch about that she heeled and
+shipped a volume of water. Darrin, as he leaped upon the forward deck,
+ordered the sailor manning the searchlight to shut off.
+
+"Don't turn it on again without orders. I believe I can follow the
+pest with my glass if she will only keep her conning tower above
+water. Signalman, send my order to the other launches not to use their
+searchlights without first asking permission."
+
+By this time Darrin, standing on the forward deck, had the submarine's
+turret, or as much of it as showed, in the field of his night-glass.
+
+Not more than a foot of it showed above water, and, even through the
+glass, at a distance of nearly half a mile, it would hardly have been
+discernible without the aid of the searchlight, had it not been for
+the white wake left by the turret in its course through the water.
+
+"May I try a shot now, sir?" begged Runkle, "I'm certain I can hit the
+turret this time."
+
+"If you could do it surely, you'd be the best shot in the Navy,"
+smiled Darrin. "I'm not going to use the searchlight unless I have to,
+and it would be almost impossible to make a hit in the dark without
+it. The pest is headed shoreward, and I want to creep up close from
+the rear, if possible."
+
+Dissatisfied, Runkle none the less saluted and turned back to his gun.
+
+"Keep a close sight on the sneak," Dave called after him. "When you
+hear me call 'Ready!' you will complete your aim and fire without
+further orders."
+
+An order transmitted to the man standing by the engine sent the launch
+plunging ahead at increased speed.
+
+Of a sudden the pursuit assumed a new aspect. The submarine suddenly
+veered around to port, and then headed straight toward the launch.
+
+"Now's our chance!" glowed a seaman, excitedly.
+
+"Yes," retorted another strained voice. "Our chance for death!"
+
+The same thought came into the minds of many on the launch. The
+submarine, it seemed, was about to discharge a torpedo at the pursuer.
+
+"Starboard!" commanded Darrin. "Keep her bow to port of us!"
+
+Seaman Jack Runkle strained his ears for the solitary word from Ensign
+Darrin that would be so welcome.
+
+"Will he ever give that order?" fumed the impatient sailor at the
+breech of the one-pounder.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+CONCLUSION
+
+
+"Stand by, gunner!" warned Darrin.
+
+"Aye, aye, sir!" came from the man at the one-pounder.
+
+The crew had ceased to be on tension, for it had dawned upon them
+that, as the two craft were approaching each other almost head on,
+there was hardly a chance that a torpedo could be made to register.
+
+"Ready!" Darrin ordered.
+
+There was a sharp bark from the throat of the one-pounder. Smash! A
+cheer went up from the watching seamen. The shot hit the mark. But the
+two men with Runkle were cleaning and loading for still another shot
+at the conning tower.
+
+"Any more, sir?" inquired Runkle, with a grin, after firing and
+landing a second shot in the submarine's superstructure.
+
+"Not unless ordered," Darrin answered, crisply. "If that fellow dives
+now he'll go below and stay there for good."
+
+Instead of diving, however, the top of the submarine's conning tower
+was seen to rise higher and higher above the water.
+
+"She's rising, but she's lost her steerage way, sir," announced the
+corporal of marines.
+
+"The helmsman was undoubtedly killed by the first or second shot,"
+suggested Dave. "It looks as if the survivors mean to surrender, but
+we'll watch out for tricks."
+
+He gave the order for slow speed ahead, soon reducing it to mere
+headway.
+
+"Marines prepare to board," ordered the ensign, as the launch came up
+close to the now unmanageable submarine, whose deck showed a bit more
+than awash.
+
+It called for fine work on the part of the quartermaster to set his
+launch alongside without crushing it.
+
+Gauging closely with his eye, Ensign Darrin called out:
+
+"Ready to board! Board!"
+
+Making the first leap himself, Dave landed on both feet on the
+slippery deck of the undersea boat, the marines following eagerly and
+quickly.
+
+"Lay off and wait!" Dave called back to the quartermaster. Then he
+stepped closer to the conning tower, through which two holes had been
+drilled by the two registering one-pound shells.
+
+"Open up, you fellows down there!" Dave called, briskly. "And don't
+attempt any tricks."
+
+Inside he heard shuffling movements, but there was no evidence of
+intent to obey his order. So he called again, but this time spoke in
+French, believing that order might be more easily understood by those
+inside the submarine.
+
+"Don't shoot! I'll come up and open," answered a voice in broken
+French, strongly tinged with Maltese accent.
+
+After a few moments the hatch was raised. Then, one after another,
+eight or ten of Darrin's crew went below.
+
+"No more men below," ordered Dave, who then followed his men in.
+
+It was a miserable spectacle that met his eyes. A heavy body lay face
+downward in a pool of blood on the steel deck.
+
+"Who was this?" demanded Dave of the other four men who crouched to
+one side in fear and trembling.
+
+"Gortchky," answered one of the quartette sullenly.
+
+There could be little danger of mistaking the dead man. Though no
+feature of the face had been preserved, every line in that odious body
+stood out clearly in Dave Darrin's mind. It was, indeed, all that was
+left of Emil Gortchky. Mr. Green Hat would never again steal the
+secrets of nor plot trouble between nations!
+
+"An able man, even if a wicked one," said Dave slowly, uncovering in
+the presence of Death.
+
+The body of Emil Gortchky was allowed to remain where it lay. The
+other four men of the submarine crew, one of whom was proved later to
+be an expert submarine commander and a deserter from the Swedish navy,
+were taken up to the platform deck, and thence transferred to the
+launch, where they were put beside Mender, Dalny, the badly-scared
+Filipino, and the other prisoners removed from the yacht.
+
+In the meantime, Dan Dalzell had ranged up alongside, followed by
+Sutton of His Majesty's Navy. Both of these young officers went aboard
+the submarine and below deck for a look.
+
+Rocket signals had informed those on anxious watch in Grand Harbor of
+the capture of the submarine. Congratulations had been signaled back.
+
+Just as the dawn broke, watchers in the waters near Valetta saw Dave
+Darrin's launch enter the harbor, the submarine limping along in tow.
+
+Early as the hour was, a band was lined up on the quarter deck of the
+"Albion." When Darrin's boat was within six cable-lengths, the band
+broke out exultingly into the strains of "See the Conquering Hero
+Comes!"
+
+Probably no naval officer so young as Dave Darrin had ever been so
+signally honored by a foreign naval commander as was Dave Darrin then.
+
+The submarine was anchored on a spot indicated by the port authorities
+of Valetta. Then Dave Darrin shaped his course for the "Hudson."
+
+From hundreds of men, lined up on the decks of the flagship, rose
+lusty cheers.
+
+"Bully boy, Darrin!" shouted a group of officers from the
+quarter-deck.
+
+"Ensign Darrin," cried Admiral Timworth, striding forth from his
+quarters and grasping the young ensign by the hand. "I offer you my
+heartiest congratulations! For reward you shall have anything within
+my power to grant."
+
+"Sir, I know what I want most at present," Ensign Darrin replied,
+gravely.
+
+"What?" asked the Admiral, quickly.
+
+"A nap, a bath, clean clothing and a breakfast, sir."
+
+"But later on, Mr. Darrin?"
+
+"At Port Said, sir, I shall ask Captain Allen to grant me, if it does
+not interfere with duty, three days ashore to meet my wife, whom I
+expect to find there when the fleet arrives."
+
+For, as readers of the Boys of the Army Series are aware, Dave and his
+High School sweetheart, Belle Meade, were wedded immediately at the
+end of some border troubles in which Dave and Dick Prescott were
+involved on the Mexican border.
+
+Despite, or perhaps on account of, the stirring experiences through
+which he had passed, Darrin was asleep five minutes after his head
+touched the pillow.
+
+Danny Grin, who had been in only at the finish, lay awake for an hour
+before slumber visited him.
+
+All that was left of Emil Gortchky was dropped into an unmarked,
+unhonored grave at Malta. Mender, Dalny and the Filipino were
+condemned by a British court-martial to be shot, a sentence that was
+soon after carried out.
+
+As for the master and crew of the yacht, they persisted to the end in
+strenuously denying any guilty knowledge of the real intentions of the
+plotters. They escaped the death sentence, but, as their conduct was
+none the less of a guilty nature, the master of the yacht received a
+sentence of twenty years in prison, while his subordinate officers and
+the members of the crew were imprisoned for ten years each.
+
+On information supplied to the Italian government Countess Ripoli was
+arrested. She was not an Italian woman, but had married an Italian
+nobleman who had died, after which she had turned to spy work. She was
+locked up and held for trial at Rome, but died of a fever before the
+day of her trial arrived.
+
+The minor spies and the thugs employed by Gortchky and Dalny, unless
+they have since fallen into trouble with their own local police, have,
+of course, gone unpunished.
+
+George Cushing, the secret service agent, is now on duty in the Panama
+Canal Zone.
+
+M. le Comte de Surigny was a happy man when Dave visited him ashore on
+the day following the capture of the submarine. Surigny is now in
+Paris, the valued friend of a noted advocate, in whose offices he is
+studying law. An inheritance of comfortable proportions has since come
+to the Count, but he has determined upon a career of hard work. He is
+a strong, fine character in these days, and is proving, to the full,
+the manhood that Dave Darrin awakened in him.
+
+The fleet remained a week at Port Said, Egypt. Dave had three happy
+days ashore with Mrs. Belle Darrin, and Danny Grin was often to be
+found in their company.
+
+Jack Runkle received his promised rating, becoming a boatswain's mate.
+He is now industriously climbing the ladder of promotion.
+
+It is reluctantly, indeed, that we take leave of Dave Darrin in this
+volume, but we shall meet him and Danny Grin again, and very soon, in
+the pages of the next volume of this series, which will be published
+under the title, "DAVE DARRIN'S SOUTH AMERICAN CRUISE; or, Two
+Innocent Young Naval Tools of an Infamous Conspiracy." In this
+absorbing story Dave Darrin and Dan Dalzell are shown at their best as
+faithful and loyal officers of Uncle Sam's Navy.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+        HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY'S
+
+        Best and Least Expensive
+        Books for Boys and Girls
+
+               *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Motor Boat Club Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+The keynote of these books is manliness. The stories are wonderfully
+entertaining, and they are at the same time sound and wholesome. No
+boy will willingly lay down an unfinished book in this series.
+
+1 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OF THE KENNEBEC; Or, The Secret of Smugglers'
+Island.
+
+2 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT NANTUCKET; Or, The Mystery of the Dunstan
+Heir.
+
+3 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OFF LONG ISLAND; Or, A Daring Marine Game at
+Racing Speed.
+
+4 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AND THE WIRELESS; Or, The Dot, Dash and Dare
+Cruise.
+
+5 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB IN FLORIDA; Or, Laying the Ghost of Alligator
+Swamp.
+
+6 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT THE GOLDEN GATE; Or, A Thrilling Capture in
+the Great Fog.
+
+7 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB ON THE GREAT LAKES; Or, The Flying Dutchman of
+the Big Fresh Water.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+Sold by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of price.
+
+
+Henry Altemus Company
+
+1326-1336 Vine Street Philadelphia
+
+
+
+
+Battleship Boys Series
+
+By FRANK GEE PATCHIN
+
+These stories throb with the life of young Americans on to-day's huge
+drab Dreadnaughts.
+
+
+1 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS AT SEA; Or, Two Apprentices in Uncle Sam's Navy.
+
+2 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS' FIRST STEP UPWARD; Or, Winning Their Grades as
+Petty Officers.
+
+3 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN FOREIGN SERVICE; Or, Earning New Ratings in
+European Seas.
+
+4 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN THE TROPICS; Or, Upholding the American Flag
+in a Honduras Revolution.
+
+6 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN THE WARDROOM; Or, Winning their Commissions
+as Line Officers.
+
+7 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS WITH THE ADRIATIC CHASERS; Or, Blocking the Path
+of the Undersea Raiders.
+
+8 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS' SKY PATROL; Or, Fighting the Hun from above the
+Clouds.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Range and Grange Hustlers
+
+By FRANK GEE PATCHIN
+
+Have you any idea of the excitements, the glories of life on great
+ranches in the West? Any bright boy will "devour" the books of this
+series, once he has made a start with the first volume.
+
+1 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS ON THE RANCH; Or, The Boy Shepherds of
+the Great Divide.
+
+2 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS' GREATEST ROUND-UP; Or, Pitting Their
+Wits Against a Packers' Combine.
+
+3 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS ON THE PLAINS; Or, Following the Steam
+Plows Across the Prairie.
+
+4 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS AT CHICAGO; Or, The Conspiracy of the
+Wheat Pit.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+Submarine Boys Series
+
+By VICTOR G. DURHAM
+
+
+1 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY; Or, Life on a Diving Torpedo Boat.
+
+2 THE SUBMARINE BOYS' TRIAL TRIP; Or, "Making Good" as Young Experts.
+
+3 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE MIDDIES; Or, The Prize Detail at
+Annapolis.
+
+4 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE SPIES; Or, Dodging the Sharks of the
+Deep.
+
+5 THE SUBMARINE BOYS' LIGHTNING CRUISE; Or, The Young Kings of the
+Deep.
+
+6 THE SUBMARINE BOYS FOR THE FLAG; Or, Deeding Their Lives to Uncle
+Sam.
+
+7 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE SMUGGLERS; Or, Breaking Up the New Jersey
+Customs Frauds.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Square Dollar Boys Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+
+1 THE SQUARE DOLLAR BOYS WAKE UP; Or, Fighting the Trolley Franchise
+Steal.
+
+2 THE SQUARE DOLLAR BOYS SMASH THE RING; Or, In the Lists Against the
+Crooked Land Deal.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The College Girls Series
+
+By JESSIE GRAHAM FLOWER, A.M.
+
+
+1 GRACE HARLOWE'S FIRST YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.
+
+2 GRACE HARLOWE'S SECOND YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.
+
+3 GRACE HARLOWE'S THIRD YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.
+
+4 GRACE HARLOWE'S FOURTH YEAR AT OVERTON COLLEGE.
+
+5 GRACE HARLOWE'S RETURN TO OVERTON CAMPUS.
+
+6 GRACE HARLOWE'S PROBLEM.
+
+7 GRACE HARLOWE'S GOLDEN SUMMER.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+All these books are bound in Cloth and will be sent postpaid on
+receipt of only 50 cents each.
+
+
+
+
+Pony Rider Boys Series
+
+By FRANK GEE PATCHIN
+
+These tales may be aptly described the best books for boys and girls.
+
+1 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE ROCKIES; Or, The Secret of the Lost
+Claim.--2 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN TEXAS; Or, The Veiled Riddle of the
+Plains.--3 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN MONTANA; Or, The Mystery of the Old
+Custer Trail.--4 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE OZARKS; Or, The Secret of
+Ruby Mountain.--5 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE ALKALI; Or, Finding a Key
+to the Desert Maze.--6 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN NEW MEXICO; Or, The End
+of the Silver Trail.--7 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE GRAND CANYON; Or,
+The Mystery of Bright Angel Gulch.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Boys of Steel Series
+
+By JAMES R. MEARS
+
+Each book presents vivid picture of this great industry. Each story is
+full of adventure and fascination.
+
+1 THE IRON BOYS IN THE MINES; Or, Starting at the Bottom of the
+Shaft.--2 THE IRON BOYS AS FOREMEN; Or, Heading the Diamond Drill
+Shift.--3 THE IRON BOYS ON THE ORE BOATS; Or, Roughing It on the Great
+Lakes.--4 THE IRON BOYS IN THE STEEL MILLS; Or, Beginning Anew in the
+Cinder Pits.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Madge Morton Books
+
+By AMY D. V. CHALMERS
+
+
+1 MADGE MORTON--CAPTAIN OF THE MERRY MAID.
+
+2 MADGE MORTON'S SECRET.
+
+3 MADGE MORTON'S TRUST.
+
+4 MADGE MORTON'S VICTORY.
+
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+West Point Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+The principal characters in these narratives are manly, young
+Americans whose doings will inspire all boy readers.
+
+
+1 DICK PRESCOTT'S FIRST YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Two Chums in the Cadet
+Gray.
+
+2 DICK PRESCOTT'S SECOND YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Finding the Glory of
+the Soldier's Life.
+
+3 DICK PRESCOTT'S THIRD YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Standing Firm for Flag
+and Honor.
+
+4 DICK PRESCOTT'S FOURTH YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Ready to Drop the
+Gray for Shoulder Straps.
+
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Annapolis Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+The Spirit of the new Navy is delightfully and truthfully depicted in
+these volumes.
+
+
+1 DAVE DARRIN'S FIRST YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Two Plebe Midshipmen at
+the U. S. Naval Academy.
+
+2 DAVE DARRIN'S SECOND YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Two Midshipmen as Naval
+Academy "Youngsters."
+
+3 DAVE DARRIN'S THIRD YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Leaders of the Second
+Class Midshipmen.
+
+4 DAVE DARRIN'S FOURTH YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Headed for Graduation
+and the Big Cruise.
+
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Young Engineers Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+The heroes of these stories are known to readers of the High School
+Boys Series. In this new series Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton prove
+worthy of all the traditions of Dick & Co.
+
+
+1 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN COLORADO; Or, At Railroad Building in
+Earnest.
+
+2 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN ARIZONA; Or, Laying Tracks on the
+"Man-Killer" Quicksand.
+
+3 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN NEVADA; Or, Seeking Fortune on the Turn of a
+Pick.
+
+4 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN MEXICO; Or, Fighting the Mine Swindlers.
+
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+Boys of the Army Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+These books breathe the life and spirit of the United States Army of
+to-day, and the life, just as it is, is described by a master pen.
+
+
+1 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE RANKS; Or, Two Recruits in the United States
+Army.
+
+2 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS ON FIELD DUTY; Or, Winning Corporal's Chevrons.
+
+3 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS SERGEANTS; Or, Handling Their First Real
+Commands.
+
+4 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE PHILIPPINES; Or, Following the Flag Against
+the Moros.
+
+6 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS LIEUTENANTS; Or, Serving Old Glory as Line
+Officers.
+
+7 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS WITH PERSHING; Or, Dick Prescott at Grips with the
+Boche.
+
+8 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE GREAT MARNE DRIVE; Or, Putting Old Glory in
+the Forefront in France.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Dave Darrin Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+
+1 DAVE DARRIN AT VERA CRUZ; Or, Fighting With the U. S. Navy in
+Mexico.
+
+2 DAVE DARRIN ON MEDITERRANEAN SERVICE.
+
+3 DAVE DARRIN'S SOUTH AMERICAN CRUISE.
+
+4 DAVE DARRIN ON THE ASIATIC STATION.
+
+5 DAVE DARRIN AND THE GERMAN SUBMARINES.
+
+6 DAVE DARRIN AFTER THE MINE LAYERS; Or, Hitting the Enemy a Hard
+Naval Blow.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Meadow-Brook Girls Series
+
+By JANET ALDRIDGE
+
+
+1 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS UNDER CANVAS.
+
+2 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS ACROSS COUNTRY.
+
+3 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS AFLOAT.
+
+4 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS IN THE HILLS.
+
+5 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS BY THE SEA.
+
+6 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS ON THE TENNIS COURTS.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+All these books are bound in Cloth and will be sent postpaid on
+receipt of only 50 cents each.
+
+
+
+
+High School Boys Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+In this series of bright, crisp books a new note has been struck. Boys
+of every age under sixty will be interested in these fascinating
+volumes.
+
+
+1 THE HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMEN; Or, Dick & Co.'s First Year Pranks and
+Sports.
+
+2 THE HIGH SCHOOL PITCHER; Or, Dick & Co. on the Gridley Diamond.
+
+3 THE HIGH SCHOOL LEFT END; Or, Dick & Co. Grilling on the Football
+Gridiron.
+
+4 THE HIGH SCHOOL CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM; Or, Dick & Co. Leading the
+Athletic Vanguard.
+
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Grammar School Boys Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+This series of stories, based on the actual doings of grammar school
+boys, comes near to the heart of the average American boy.
+
+
+1 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS OF GRIDLEY; Or, Dick & Co. Start Things
+Moving.
+
+2 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS SNOWBOUND; Or, Dick & Co. at Winter Sports.
+
+3 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN THE WOODS; Or, Dick & Co. Trail Fun and
+Knowledge.
+
+4 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER ATHLETICS; Or, Dick & Co. Make
+Their Fame Secure.
+
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+High School Boys' Vacation Series
+
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK
+
+"Give us more Dick Prescott books!"
+
+This has been the burden of the cry from young readers of the country
+over. Almost numberless letters have been received by the publishers,
+making this eager demand; for Dick Prescott, Dave Darrin, Tom Reade,
+and the other members of Dick & Co. are the most popular high school
+boys in the land. Boys will alternately thrill and chuckle when
+reading these splendid narratives.
+
+
+1 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' CANOE CLUB; Or, Dick & Co.'s Rivals on Lake
+Pleasant.
+
+2 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER CAMP; Or, The Dick Prescott Six
+Training for the Gridley Eleven.
+
+3 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' FISHING TRIP; Or, Dick & Co. in the
+Wilderness.
+
+4 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' TRAINING HIKE; Or, Dick & Co. Making
+Themselves "Hard as Nails."
+
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+
+The Circus Boys Series
+
+By EDGAR B. P. DARLINGTON
+
+Mr. Darlington's books breathe forth every phase of an intensely
+interesting and exciting life.
+
+
+1 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE FLYING RINGS; Or, Making the Start in the
+Sawdust Life.
+
+2 THE CIRCUS BOYS ACROSS THE CONTINENT; Or, Winning New Laurels on the
+Tanbark.
+
+3 THE CIRCUS BOYS IN DIXIE LAND; Or, Winning the Plaudits of the Sunny
+South.
+
+4 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE MISSISSIPPI; Or, Afloat with the Big Show on
+the Big River.
+
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The High School Girls Series
+
+By JESSIE GRAHAM FLOWER, A. M.
+
+These breezy stories of the American High School Girl take the reader
+fairly by storm.
+
+
+1 GRACE HARLOWE'S PLEBE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Merry Doings of
+the Oakdale Freshman Girls.
+
+2 GRACE HARLOWE'S SOPHOMORE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Record of the
+Girl Chums in Work and Athletics.
+
+3 GRACE HARLOWE'S JUNIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, Fast Friends in the
+Sororities.
+
+4 GRACE HARLOWE'S SENIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Parting of the
+Ways.
+
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Automobile Girls Series
+
+By LAURA DENT CRANE
+
+No girl's library--no family book-case can be considered at all
+complete unless it contains these sparkling twentieth-century books.
+
+1 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT NEWPORT; Or, Watching the Summer Parade.--2
+THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS IN THE BERKSHIRES; Or, The Ghost of Lost Man's
+Trail.--3 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS ALONG THE HUDSON; Or, Fighting Fire in
+Sleepy Hollow.--4 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT CHICAGO; Or, Winning Out
+Against Heavy Odds.--5 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT PALM BEACH; Or, Proving
+Their Mettle Under Southern Skies.--6 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT
+WASHINGTON; Or, Checkmating the Plots of Foreign Spies.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+Punctuation normalised.
+
+Page 35, "hunderd" changed to "hundred" (a hundred he)
+
+Page 89, paragraph break inserted between the following two lines:
+
+  "I will see you, Captain, in five minutes."
+
+  "Thank you, sir. I request permission to bring
+
+Page 130, word "to" inserted into text (happen to us)
+
+Page 192, "vigilant" changed to "vigilantly" (tenfold more vigilantly)
+
+The Boys of Steel Series, word "a" inserted into text (presents
+a vivid picture)
+
+Text uses both someone/some one and anyone/any one.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dave Darrin on Mediterranean Service, by
+H. Irving Hancock
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVE DARRIN ON MEDITERRANEAN ***
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