CHAPTER XXI
BLUFFED
"HOWEVER," remarked Cumberleigh briskly, "the _Columbine_ businesshasn't anything to do with friend Fennelburt. We get no forrarder."
"I don't know so much about that," demurred Morpeth. "I'll use it asa lever to prize a secret out of this von Preugfeld. We'll have himup here and give him the shock of his life."
The R.N.R. officer touched a bell.
"Take a couple of hands and bring the U-boat skipper here," heordered.
"Say, Skipper," remarked Cumberleigh, who had been skimming the pagesof the log-book, "here's a rummy entry:--'2 A.M. Landed vonPreussen.' Who's von Preussen, and where else could he have beenlanded except on the Scottish coast? One minute."
He turned over more leaves rapidly, nevertheless scanning thesloping, flourish-embellished words.
"No mention of this von Preussen having been taken on board again,"he continued. "First this fellow and this Fennelburt are landed--thatis, if the German bluejacket's yarn is correct. Will you allow me tocommence the examination, Skipper?"
"Tough Geordie's" weather-lined face wrinkled with a smile.
"By all means," he replied. "I'm not much of a hand at talky-talky.The best argument I used in the Foul Anchor Line was a big boot.Dagoes and Dutchies understood that. Stand by; they're bringing theswine in."
Kapitan von Preugfeld entered jauntily. He had imagined, judging fromthe result of the previous interview, that he had completely bluffedhis captors on the subject of Captain Fennelburt, and that, if hepersisted in his story, he would emerge triumphant from the ordeal.
Cumberleigh came to the point at once. "I'm anxious to know," heremarked, "what connection there is between Leutnant Karl vonPreussen of the Prussian Guards and Captain George Fennelburt of theBritish Air Force. You can enlighten me, Herr Kapitan, and I awaityour explanation."
Attacked from a totally unexpected quarter, von Preugfeld's defenceswere literally rushed.
"I know not," he replied sullenly.
"Try again," persisted Cumberleigh.
"_Der Teufel!_ vot you mean?" asked the U-boat commander.
"Mean? This," replied Cumberleigh, holding up U 247's log-book. "Hereis one entry:--'2 A.M. Landed von Preussen.' That is in yourhandwriting."
Von Preugfeld was forced to admit the truth of the impeachment.
"It was practically the last entry you made," continued Cumberleigh,"but there are more, apparently written by your subordinate officer.I'll read some:--'5 P.M. Broke surface. Found large barge, X 5,derelict. Took off her as prisoners three English officers'--notfour, you'll note. There certainly were four in R.A.F. uniforms. Nowagain:--'4.10 A.M. Set von Preussen ashore.' It's perfectly obviousthat if von Preussen were set ashore twice he must have come on boardduring that interval. There is no mention of your vesselcommunicating with the shore between the two times you mentioned. SoI put it to you that von Preussen and Fennelburt are one and the sameperson."
The Hun's face grew pale. Beads of perspiration oozed from hisforehead.
"A curse on von Loringhoven!" he muttered in German. "His lack ofcaution has spoiled everything." Then in broken English he added: "Icall you to make testimony. It vos not I dat betray von Preussen. Itvos mein unter-leutnant, von Loringhoven."
"That's all we wanted to know," rejoined Captain Cumberleigh quietly."I might add, however, that it is hardly playing the game to put theblame upon your subordinate. Perhaps it is a way Prussian officershave, so it would not be surprising to hear that, later on, you willblame him for torpedoing the hospital ship _Columbine_ and theunarmed liner _Camperdown Castle_. Think it over."
He turned to Lieutenant-Commander Morpeth.
"Any further questions you want to ask, sir?" he inquired, withstrict formality.
"No," replied Morpeth. "Take him away."
The sliding door closed on the prisoner. "Tough Geordie" turned tothe successful amateur barrister.
"By Jove, Cumberleigh," he exclaimed, "you bowled him out this time!But I thought you said that the log-book wasn't up to date."
"Neither was it," admitted Cumberleigh, passing his cigarette-case."I took the liberty of imagining that it was and ascribing theauthorship to that little worm of a von Loringhoven."
The R.A.F. captain was flushed with pleasure at his triumph. He hadvindicated himself concerning his doubts of "Fennelburt's"genuineness. Until he had done so he was considerably uneasy in hismind, for he hated a suspicious nature.
"I suppose you can wireless the information to Auldhaig?" hecontinued. "Goodness only knows what that spy might be up to beforehe's laid by the heels!"
Morpeth shook his head.
"Sorry," he replied. "It can't be did. We mustn't get ourselves intothe cart over our forthcoming stunt for the sake of putting a stopperon a spy. You see, we don't know who might tap the wireless. Fritzmight, and that would make him horribly suspicious."
"Is there no other way to communicate with Auldhaig?" askedCumberleigh.
"Possibly," admitted the R.N.R. officer. "We might send a codemessage by the first vessel we fall in with. I don't as a rule wantto speak a vessel, unless she's a Fritz, and then I do more thanspeak. But I can't carry on with this crowd of Huns on board. Mustget rid of them somehow, and the best plan will be to tranship them.Then'll be your chance to pass the word about your pal 'Fennelburt.'"
The conference then dissolved, Morpeth and the R.A.F. fellows turningin for a much needed sleep, while Wakefield and Meredith went ondeck.
About half an hour later the look-out reported smoke away to thenorth-east. In ordinary circumstances Q 171 would have held on,purposely avoiding the stranger. But now she altered helm, steering acourse to intercept the ship.
It was fairly reasonable to suppose that the as yet invisible vesselwas not a Hun. German surface craft were rare birds in these waters.When they did come out they appeared in force, accompanied by aZeppelin or two to give them plenty of warning should a Britishpatrolling squadron appear. She might be a disguised German raider,but these generally chose to sneak along the Norwegian coast and gainmid-Atlantic by a circuitous route.
Before long the oncoming vessel appeared above the horizon, andpresently by the aid of binoculars it was seen that she was a largeNorwegian tramp.
"That's good!" exclaimed Morpeth, who had been roused from hisslumbers by the announcement of the tramp's approach. "Decent fellowsthese Norwegian skippers! 'Fraid I can't say the same for the Swedes.Pro-Huns, waiting to see which way the cat jumps, every time. Up withthe German ensign, bos'n's mate, and hoist the International 'ID.'Sorry to have to put the wind up 'em, but it can't be helped."
"Hanged if I ever thought I'd be under the Black Cross Ensign!"remarked Blenkinson, as the emblem of modern piracy was sent aloft."And what's the meaning of those flags?" he inquired, indicating asquare of yellow bunting with a circular black patch in the centresurmounting a blue pennant with a white ball.
"Just a polite intimation to stop and pass the time of day,"volunteered Meredith. "Kind of invitation to have a drink.Technically it's a signal meaning 'Heave-to or I'll sink you.'"
Approaching at an aggregate speed of twenty-seven knots, the trampand the Q-boat were soon at close quarters. True to her rôle ofU-boat, the latter was cleared for action, the R.A.F. officers likethe rest of the crew disguised in black oilskins in order to heightenthe deception.
The Norwegian tramp reversed engines. She flew her national ensignand had the distinctive colours painted on her sides, together withthe word "Norge" in huge letters. But that was no guarantee that shewas a genuine Norwegian vessel. She might be a Hun raider indisguise, with a heavy armament concealed behind hinged bulwarks.
Once more the collapsible boat was lowered, and Ainslie andCumberleigh, whose knowledge of German enabled them the better toimpersonate Hun officers, were rowed off to the tramp.
"Dash it all!" whispered the R.A.F. captain to his companion, as heeyed askance the dangling Jacob's ladder hanging over the side of therolling vessel. "Do I swar
m up that? I'll give the show away rightoff."
All the same he made a creditable performance, following Ainslie tothe deck of the _Ole_, for such was her name.
A glance reassured the sub-lieutenant that the tramp was not adisguised raider. He made a prearranged signal to the Q-boat torelieve Morpeth of further anxiety on the subject, and then proceededto interview the Norwegian skipper, who also spoke German.
The latter fully expected his command to be sunk, as her papersshowed her to be bound for Leith with a cargo of foodstuffs. Nor didhe look surprised, although he expressed indignation, when Ainslieordered him into the boat.
"And my crew?" he asked. "Surely you will give them time to provisionand man the boats?"
"That will be decided later," replied the Sub. "Be quick. We arewaiting."
The Norwegian crew, taking it for granted that their skipper was tobe made a prisoner, showed a decidedly threatening attitude. Ainslieand Cumberleigh were inwardly perturbed. Without "giving the showaway," it was difficult to see how they were to get out of thetrouble, until the Norwegian captain, anxious to save his men fromfurther ill-usage at the hands of the German pirates, ordered them toadopt a passive attitude.
Morpeth met the skipper of the _Ole_ as he came over the side of Q171 and escorted him below.
"Can you speak English?" he asked abruptly.
"Yes," was the reply of the astonished Norwegian. "For fifteen yearsI have run between British and Norwegian ports. A man has then anexcellent chance to learn the English language."
"Then you will not be sorry to hear that this is a British vessel,"continued Morpeth, producing a bottle of whisky. "Say when. That'sgood!"
The Norwegian hesitated to accept the proffered glass.
"Why, then, am I arrested?" he asked.
"Not arrested," corrected Morpeth--"merely invited on board. Iwant to ask a favour. Will you give a passage to three Britishofficers and twenty-six Germans?"
"Explain, please," said the master of the _Ole_.
"Tough Geordie" did so.
"I have no objection to offering hospitality to the Britishofficers," decided the Norwegian; "but there are difficulties as faras the German sailors are concerned."
"Their passage will be paid for."
"I was not troubling about that question," continued the Norwegian."You see, I am a neutral. These men will be free while under theNorwegian flag."
"They won't be when you set them ashore, Skipper," rejoined theR.N.R. man meaningly. "As for International Law and the rights ofneutrals, all I can say is that if Germany had respected them the warwould have been over long ago, and I wouldn't be holding you upto-day."
"That is quite true," admitted the master of the _Ole_. "WeNorwegians have no love for the Germans, and our mercantile navy hassuffered more at their hands than the rest of the neutral nationscombined. But I have another objection. These Germans would outnumbermy crew. Supposing they take possession forcibly of my ship and makefor a German port?"
"They won't do that," said Morpeth emphatically. "Knowing theirskipper is alive, they wouldn't go back to Germany and put theirheads through a running noose."
"That is so," remarked the Norwegian. "I will take them."
The two men, brothers of the sea, shook hands. The Norwegian returnedto his vessel in Q 171's dinghy and gave orders for the _Ole's_ boatto be lowered.
"Now, gentlemen," said Morpeth briskly, addressing the three R.A.F.officers, "the best of pals must part. Circumstances demand that Isend you back in yonder vessel. I've got my job, and no doubt one iswaiting for you at Auldhaig. I wouldn't shine as an airman, and Idon't think you're cut out for Q-boat work. See my meaning?"
"Quite," agreed Cumberleigh gravely.
"Of course we're sorry to have to part company, but your remarks fitthe case absolutely. And I'm rather keen to follow this Fennelburtbusiness."
"I've had a code message written out," continued Morpeth. "You cantake charge of that. I'm afraid you'll have von Loringhoven and thosemutineering Huns as travelling companions. Von Preugfeld I'm keepingon board for the benefit of his health. The risks he'll run here willbe slight compared with those he'd have on board the _Ole_. Some ofhis former crew would doubtless cut his throat in order to clinchmatters. Here's the boat coming alongside. Good-bye and good luck!"
Bidding Wakefield, Morpeth and Ainslie farewell, the three members ofthe dissolved R.A.F. Salvage Syndicate went over the side and weretranshipped to the Norwegian vessel. The Hun seamen followed inanother boat, but von Loringhoven refused to go with them. He, too,felt that he was in danger at the hands of the mutineers, andMorpeth, knowing the facts and having no cause to wish theunter-leutnant harm from a personal point of view, allowed him toremain.
Twenty minutes later the _Ole_ was hull down.
Morpeth, who had been busy with a sextant, laid the instrument downand began to work out his position. Presently he turned to Wakefield.
"Here we are," he said, sticking a point of the divider into thechart. "Lat. 55 deg. 50' 10" N. Long. 6 deg. 15' 10" E. We fired ourpassengers just in time. Another four hours and with luck we'll pickup the Hoorn Reefs Lightship. Then the fun'll commence."
"All our passengers?" queried Wakefield smiling.
"Yes," replied "Tough Geordie." "You, my lad, are a worker. I'll seethat you do your bit. We'll bag some pheasants although it's closeseason."
"Let's hope so," said Wakefield cheerfully.
"An' I'm a rotten sportsman," added Morpeth. "'Owing to the war,' Isuppose. 'Tany rate if I've the chance I'm going to bag 'em whilethey're sitting up. After all, Fritz-strafing's my job, and the morethe merrier."
The Mystery Ship: A Story of the 'Q' Ships During the Great War Page 21