CHAPTER XIX.
THE GAME IS OPENED.
The crowd of sailors disappeared as if by magic, and Frank, Jack andLieutenant Taylor found themselves alone with Lord Hastings. The lattersaid no further word, and, without attempting to speak, Frank and hisvanquished adversary made their way from the gun deck to their cabins.Jack followed a moment later, after waiting in vain for some other wordfrom Lord Hastings.
Frank greeted his friend's arrival with a sickly smile.
"Looks like I was in for it, doesn't it?" he said.
"It does," was the reply. "Now, if you had taken my advice----"
"Don't preach," Frank broke in. "Anyhow, there is no use crying overspilt milk. I shall have to take my medicine. What do you suppose LordHastings will do with me?"
"I haven't the slightest idea. But say," and Jack grew enthusiastic,"that was some scrap you put up. I didn't know you were a fighter. Whydidn't you tell me?"
"I only did my best," replied Frank modestly. "I thought he had me twoor three times."
"I was afraid so, too. But, if he had beaten you, I would have given hima good licking myself."
"What? How about the advice you gave me?"
"Well, that's different," said Jack, in some confusion.
"I see it is. Now, under the same circumstances, you would have donejust as I did, wouldn't you?"
Jack smiled somewhat sheepishly.
"I guess I should," was his reply.
Further conversation was interrupted by the entrance of a sailor, whoannounced that Lord Hastings desired their presence in his cabinimmediately.
"Well, here's where I learn my fate," said Frank, as he went on deck,followed by Jack.
Lord Hastings was writing when the boys entered his cabin. He looked up,motioned them to a seat with a nod, and resumed his work. A moment laterLieutenant Taylor came in, and was also motioned to a seat. Finally,Lord Hastings wheeled about in his chair and spoke.
"You," he said, indicating Frank and the lieutenant, "have broken one ofthe most stringent rules of the naval manual. What have you to say injustification of your actions?"
"Nothing, sir," replied the lieutenant.
Frank remained silent.
"The least punishment I should mete out," continued Lord Hastings, "isto confine you both to your quarters indefinitely. But we are somewhatshort-handed now. If you will give me your words that there will be norepetition of this disgraceful scene, I shall suspend punishment."
"For my part, I promise gladly," said Frank.
Lord Hastings turned toward Lieutenant Taylor.
"And you?" he questioned.
"The little whelp insulted me," exclaimed the lieutenant. "I shall makeno promises, unless he is kept out of my way."
"Very well, sir," replied Lord Hastings. "Remain in your cabin until youreceive further orders. You may go!"
"But, your lordship----" protested the lieutenant.
"Not a word, sir!" exclaimed Lord Hastings. "Return to your cabinimmediately."
The lieutenant saluted and left the cabin. Hardly had he taken hisdeparture when there was a sudden change in Lord Hastings' manner. Herose to his feet, advanced across the cabin and took Frank by the hand.
"That was a great fight!" he exclaimed with enthusiasm. "It did me goodto see you polish off that traitor. I would have liked to be in yourplace!"
Frank was taken by surprise.
"But--but----" he stammered.
"I know, I know," cried Lord Hastings, raising a protesting hand. "It'sagainst the rules and regulations and should merit punishment. But thereare extenuating circumstances. It has worked out beautifully."
"What, sir?" demanded Jack, who had remained silent up to this time.
"Why, Taylor is disposed of for the time being. He will not dare toleave his quarters, and in the meantime we can go about our planswithout fear of interruption. We can get rid of Hardy without arousinghis suspicions."
"Then I am not to be punished, sir?" asked Frank.
"Not this time," was the reply. "But don't let it happen again."
"I won't, sir," Frank promised.
"By the way," said Lord Hastings, as the lads turned to leave the cabin."It may interest you to know that to-morrow we shall join the fleet offHelgoland. I have already been in communication with Admiral Jellicoe,and he approves of our plan. It must be carried out to-day."
"Good!" exclaimed Frank and Jack.
"Yes," continued Lord Hastings. He extended a slip of paper to Frank."Give this to the wireless operator," and he added, with a smile: "Thenmake sure there is no one near the wireless room--except Hardy. He mustoverhear this message, you know."
The boys saluted and left the cabin. Frank glanced at the message.
"What does it say?" demanded Jack eagerly.
Frank read aloud:
"Safe to send half of fleet to Baltic to-morrow night. Order submarine and several destroyers close into Helgoland at same time--this to make imminent attack apparent, so enemy may not learn of other move and attack in force.--HASTINGS."
The message placed in the hands of the operator, the boys returned totheir own cabin. As they made their way along the deck they saw Hardyloitering near the wireless room.
"He'll hear it, all right," said Jack, with a grin.
"How do you construe that message?" asked Frank.
"Well," replied Jack, "let's see if we can't figure it out. Say theGermans, having been furnished with the text of the message--fake thoughit is--believe half the British fleet has started for the Baltic. Theywill figure that their own strong fleet can easily destroy the remaininghalf of our fleet. Therefore, when they believe it has been divided,they will attack. Lured from beneath the protection of the heavy shoreguns, we shall make short work of them.
"I figure that the submarine and destroyers will approach nearer theport to flash word of the German advance. Besides, their appearance willfurther strengthen the belief of the Germans that half of the fleet hassailed--particularly in view of the false message, for it would be thenatural thing to do if half the fleet really were going away, as itwould keep the Germans from attacking."
"I see what you mean," declared Frank. "And I guess that is the way LordHastings has figured it out."
"I'm sure of it," was the reply. "But come on deck, and let's see if wecan see what use Hardy will make of the information he has obtained."
Moving stealthily along the deck, the lads saw the sailor making his waytoward Lieutenant Taylor's cabin. There he slipped a piece of paperthrough the window. Then he loitered near.
There came a slight tapping on the window, and the sailor againapproached it. The boys heard the lieutenant's voice.
"It is time to act," he said. "It has come sooner than I expected.Return in half an hour, and I will have prepared the message you mustsend the Germans."
Hardy slunk away.
"We must report this to Lord Hastings at once," exclaimed Frank. "Come!"
The lads rushed to the commander's cabin, where they told him what theyhad overheard.
"Good!" said Lord Hastings. "Now, listen to me carefully. We are in easycommunication with the British fleet, and also with the Germans, bywireless. Watch Taylor's cabin, and, as soon as he passes the message toHardy, you order the wireless operator to report to me at once. Thenhide.
"I give this order for two reasons: First, I do not want the operatorhurt, and second, Hardy must be allowed to send the message to theGermans without molestation."
The lads saluted and left the cabin. They took their stand close to thewireless cabin, but still commanded a view of Lieutenant Taylor'squarters. Here they waited.
Their patience was at length rewarded. Hardy again approached thelieutenant's cabin, and received a slip of paper through the window.
"Now to get the operator away," exclaimed Frank, and moved toward thewireless room.
The operator left the room at their orders, and the two boys disappea
redjust as the sailor approached the wireless station. The lads saw himenter the cabin. Then they went to make their report to Lord Hastings.
"Good!" exclaimed the latter. "Mr. Templeton, inform Lieutenant Taylorthat I have countermanded the order confining him to his cabin. Orderhim to return to his duties!"