CHAPTER XVI.
A TRAP IS SET.
It was late the following morning when Frank and Jack succeeded ingaining a private hearing with Lord Hastings.
"Now what is it you have on your mind?" he asked, when they were finallyseated in his cabin.
"There are traitors on board, sir," said Frank quietly.
Lord Hastings bounded to his feet.
"What is that you say?" he exclaimed. "Traitors? It is impossible. Youshould be more careful of your language."
"It is true, sir," said Jack. "We overheard them plotting last night."
Lord Hastings slowly resumed his seat.
"I know you must have good reason for your words," he replied; "but Ican scarcely credit them. Who are these traitors?"
"Well," said Frank, "one of them is the man who followed Jack and me inLondon. He is a sailor on board, but, owing to a false mustache, I didnot recognize him until last night."
"And the other?" queried Lord Hastings.
"The other," said Frank, "you will find it very hard to believe isplotting against England. He is an officer on board, sir."
"His name?" demanded Lord Hastings.
"Second Lieutenant Taylor, sir!"
"What!" exclaimed Lord Hastings, jumping to his feet in greatexcitement. "Lieutenant Taylor?"
"Yes, sir," said Jack. "We overheard the two of them plotting lastnight."
Lord Hastings paced back and forth for several moments. Then he sat downagain.
"Tell me what you heard," he commanded at length.
Frank related, almost word for word, the conversation the boys hadoverheard between Lieutenant Taylor and the sailor, Hardy, the nightbefore.
For a long time after Frank had finished Lord Hastings sat wrapped inthought.
"It seems incredible," he muttered at length; "but I am forced tobelieve that your words are true." Then suddenly to Jack: "Mr.Templeton!"
"Sir!" and the midshipman's hand came to a salute.
"Summon Lieutenant Edwards and Lieutenant Taylor. Then have the wordpassed for Hardy.
"Yes, sir," and Jack moved toward the door.
"May I make so bold as to offer a suggestion, sir?" Frank asked, beforeJack could leave the cabin.
"You may," was the reply, and Lord Hastings motioned Jack to resume hisseat.
"I would suggest, then, sir," said Frank, "that, for the time being,matters be allowed to stand as they are. Now that we know their plans,they can do no damage. In fact, by a little judicious juggling of thewireless we might even be able to turn the presence of the plotters hereto our advantage."
"In what way?" demanded Lord Hastings.
"Why, sir," explained Frank, "suppose they are furnished with wronginformation? Not knowing that they are discovered, they will continuewith their plans. Lieutenant Taylor said that the success of their planwould mean the destruction of the British North Sea fleet. Evidentlythey intend, through the 'fake' message he spoke of, to lead the fleetinto a trap when they believe the time is ripe."
"My idea exactly," interrupted Lord Hastings; "but go on."
"Well, they must be allowed to gain a certain amount of authenticinformation, so as not to arouse their suspicions. But, at the propertime, we must see that they get such false information as will lead themto believe it is time for them to act. In some manner, probably bywireless, Lieutenant Taylor plans to communicate with the German fleetat Helgoland. That is why our operator must be disposed of. They must beallowed to do this."
"Why?" asked Lord Hastings.
"So that false plans of the British fleet having been sent to theGermans--false plans that we must prepare carefully--we shall trap theGerman fleet, or a portion of it, instead of being trapped ourselves. Inthis manner we may be able to strike the first naval blow of the war."
"You mean that we may succeed in drawing the German fleet into theopen?"
"Yes, sir. Of course Admiral Jellicoe must be informed of how mattersstand and how they progress, so that he may act in conjunction with us."
For fully half an hour Lord Hastings sat twirling his thumbs, turningthis scheme over in his mind. Neither Frank nor Jack interrupted hismeditations, both awaiting his decision anxiously.
"The only difficulty I can see in your plan," said Lord Hastingsfinally, "is how we shall get word to Admiral Jellicoe without theplotters overhearing. You say Hardy is an operator?"
"Yes," replied Frank, "but whenever we are ready to send a communicationto Admiral Jellicoe that we do not wish overheard, or to any otherplace, it will be very simple for Lieutenant Taylor, and Hardy also, tobe ordered to some duty at the far end of the vessel at that moment."
"So it will," said Lord Hastings, slapping his knee. "Your plan is asplendid one; and, if it works out, as I believe it will, you will haverendered England a tremendous service--one that shall never beforgotten."
"Then you will act upon my suggestion, sir?" exclaimed Frank with greatdelight.
"I shall; and I want to say that I am proud to have two such youngsterswith me. Why, you both have been of greater value to me than I everbelieved it possible for anyone to be."
"Thank you, sir," said both lads in a single voice.
"You may go now," Lord Hastings continued, "while I remain and work outthe details of the plan. And remember, not a word of this to a soul.Send Lieutenant Edwards to me!"
The boys saluted and left the commander's cabin.
Emerging upon deck, they saw Lieutenant Edwards and Miss Beulowstrolling about. They approached the couple.
"Lord Hastings requests that you report to him at once," said Frank,coming to a salute.
The lieutenant departed, and the two boys and the young German girlcontinued their promenade.
"Well, well, how is our little enemy this morning?" came a voicesuddenly.
Turning, they beheld the smiling countenance of Lieutenant Taylor.
"Very well, thank you," replied Miss Beulow coldly, then ignoring thelieutenant, turned to the two boys and resumed her conversation.
"Come, come," continued the lieutenant, "don't be so standoffish. I likeyou, even if you are a German."
The girl made no answer to this remark, and the lieutenant, after gazingresentfully at her a moment, took himself off.
"Do you know," the girl confided to the two boys, "I do not like yourLieutenant Taylor. He seems out of place among the rest of you, and itseems to me I have seen him some place before, though I cannot rememberwhere."
This remark pleased Frank hugely, although, for some reason he wasunable to explain why, even to himself. Aloud he only said:
"I guess it's just his way, Miss Beulow."
"Perhaps," was the reply; "but I don't like his way."