CHAPTER XXIII
AN UNKNOWN FRIEND
Bremen. The greatest of all German shipping centers, and, before theoutbreak of the European war, one of the greatest seaports in the wholeworld.
Even on the third day of June, 1916, when the German warship on whichJack, Frank and Harris were prisoners steamed into Bremen the port wasalive with activity. Great German merchant ships, useless since the warbegan, appeared deserted, but other and smaller craft dashed hurriedlyhither and yon.
"Why all the excitement?" was Frank's comment, as the three stood wellforward while the warship steamed through the harbor.
"Several reasons, I guess," said Jack. "One is that half of these smallvessels ply between Bremen and Scandinavian ports in spite of theBritish blockade; and the other reason probably is the fact that thecity is celebrating the great naval victory."
"Naval victory?"
"Sure; the battle of Jutland. The German people have been told that theGerman fleet won; and now the people are celebrating. See all thoseflags? Why else would they be displayed so profusely?"
"Because Germany is at war," said Frank.
"Oh, no they wouldn't. You remember we were in Hanover once while thewar was in progress. You didn't see all those flags about like that."
"I guess you're right."
At that moment a German officer approached the three friends.
"I've something of interest to show you," he said; "something that willbe of interest to all the world presently."
"We shall be glad to see it, whatever it may be," replied Jack,courteously.
"Look over the side there," said the German, pointing. "Do you see thatlong, low shape in the water?"
"Why, yes," said Frank. "Looks like a submarine."
"That's what it is. Can you make out the name?"
The three friends peered at the object closely.
"D-e-u-t-s-c-h-l-a-n-d," Frank spelled it out.
"Yes, the _Deutschland_" replied the German officer; "and, within amonth, the whole world will be talking about her."
"What's she going to do?" asked Frank. "Sink the whole British fleet?"
The German officer smiled.
"No," he replied quietly. "The _Deutschland_ will be the first of afleet of merchant submarines to ply between Bremen and the UnitedStates."
"What?" exclaimed Jack, in the utmost surprise. "You mean thatsubmarine will try and run the English channel and make for the UnitedStates?"
"Exactly."
"But it's impossible," said Frank.
"Not at all," returned the German. "You may remember that Germansubmarines made their way to the Dardanelles safely. The onlydifference will be that the _Deutschland_ will go unarmed. She willcarry a cargo of dyestuffs and other commodities of which the UnitedStates is in need."
"Well, she may try it, but I don't believe she'll get there," saidHarris.
"Nor I," declared Jack.
But Frank wasn't so sure. An American, he had not the strong prejudiceof his two companions.
"It will be a great feat if she can accomplish it," the lad said.
"It will, indeed," said the German, "and she will accomplish it."
"One thing, though," said Frank, "she won't be able to carry a veryvaluable cargo. She's too small."
"She'll carry a cargo worth more than $2,000,000," said the Germanofficer, "and in payment she will bring back gold and securities, andyou may know that Germany is in need of cash."
"By Jove!" exclaimed Frank. "We'll have to admit that you Germans areprogressive. We may not like to admit it, but it's a fact all thesame."
"I thank you," said the German with a low bow.
"Well, we're obliged to you for showing us the _Deutschland_, at allevents," said Jack, "and I want to say that if by any chance she doesreach the United States you may be well proud of her."
"I second that," declared Harris.
Again the German bowed low.
"Now," said Frank, "as we have passed beyond sight of the_Deutschland_, perhaps you can tell me what is to be done with us?"
"As it happens, I can," was the reply. "I heard the captain informLieutenant von Ludwig that you will be put in his charge. He hasinstructions to see you safe in the hands of the military authoritiesin Berlin, where most of the captured British and French officers arebeing held."
"Pretty tough, Jack," said Frank.
The German officer overheard this remark, although he perhaps did notcatch the exact meaning.
"You will be well treated," he said.
"I've no doubt of that," declared Jack.
The German officer left them.
Jack turned to Frank.
"Say!" he exclaimed, "are you thinking of turning German directly?"
"What's that?" demanded Frank, in surprise.
"I just wondered when you were going to take up the arms for theKaiser. The way you have been praising all things German recently, Idon't know what to make of you. The _Deutschland_, for instance."
Frank smiled.
"I just don't happen to be a hard-headed John Bull," he replied.
"Hard headed, am I?" exclaimed Jack. "I've a notion to shake some ofthat German sympathy out of you."
"You know I haven't any German sympathies," said Frank. "But I believein giving credit where credit is due."
"Well, there is no credit due there. You know that is just some cockand bull story. The Germans will never dare such a thing."
"I'm not so sure," said Frank, quietly.
"Well, it will never get across the sea if the attempt is made."
"Maybe not, maybe yes," said Frank, with a grin.
"Well----"
What Jack might have replied Frank never learned, for at that momentanother German officer accosted them. He was the man who was sostrangely familiar to Jack and Frank.
"You will be ready to accompany me the moment we dock, sirs," he said.
"All right," Frank agreed. "We'll be ready."
They descended to their cabin where they donned the clothing they hadworn when picked up from the sea. Then they returned on deck.
The great warship now was nearing the dock, backing in. Slowly she drewclose to the pier and then finally her engines ceased. A gangplank waslowered and men began to disembark.
The officer who was to conduct the three prisoners to Berlin tappedJack on the shoulder.
"Whenever you are ready," he said quietly.
"We're ready now," returned Jack.
"Then precede me ashore," was the reply. "By the way, I might as welladvise you that there is no use of attempting to escape. I have my gunhandy and will drop either of you at the first false step."
"Don't worry, we have no intention of trying to escape--not right herein broad daylight," said Frank.
"Very good. Let us move."
Slowly they made their way down the gang plank and ashore. There a lineof automobiles waited. The officer motioned his prisoners into thelargest of these and gave instructions to the driver. He took a seatbeside Jack.
As the automobile started down the street, Jack glanced at his captorsharply.
"Surely I have seen you some place before, sir?" the lad said.
The officer shrugged his shoulders.
"Who knows?" he said and became silent.
"Deuced uncommunicative sort of a fellow," said Jack to himself. "But Iknow I've come in contact with him some place. It may come to melater."
The automobile drew up in front of a large stone house and the officermotioned his prisoners out. He spoke to his chauffeur.
"Keep your gun handy and follow me," he instructed.
The driver nodded and stepped alongside the officer, who motioned thethree friends up the steps ahead of him. Inside he motioned them into aparlor and then dismissed his chauffeur.
"Now," he said, "I want your promises not to try to escape."
"Sorry, sir, but we can't do that," replied Frank, quietly.
"Come! Don't be fools!" exclaimed their captor, sharply.
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He walked to the door and peered out. Then, walking close to Frank andJack, he said quietly:
"If you will give me your promises to make no attempt to escape beforetomorrow night, I shall not have you guarded."
Both lads started back in surprise, for the man had spoken in Englishand without the trace of an accent.
"Great Scott!" exclaimed Frank. "You must be an Englishman."
The man laid a finger to his lips.
"Sh-h-h!" he warned. "Walls have ears, you know. So you don't know me?"
The lads gazed at him closely.
"I know I have seen you some place," declared Jack.
"So have I," said Frank.
"And to think that they don't know me," said the man, half to himself.Then he addressed them again.
"I guess it is as well that you have not recognized me, but did I notknow you so well I would not say what I am about to say. That is this.I am an Englishman and I am here on an important business. Tomorrownight I shall return to England. Give me your words to remain quiethere until then, in the meantime not trying to learn my identity, andyou shall all go with me. Is it a bargain?"
Frank looked at the man sharply. Was he fooling them? Well, the laddecided, they had everything to gain and nothing to lose.
"Very well," the lad said. "You have my promise not to attempt toescape before tomorrow night."
"And mine," said Jack.
"And mine," declared Harris.
"Very well. Then I shall leave you for the moment."
The man stalked from the room and closed the door behind him.