CHAPTER XXI.
AN ACCUSATION.
It was nearing noon the following day before those on the _Sylph_sighted the oncoming British cruiser _Alto_, although they had been inalmost constant wireless communication. When the cruiser was but a shortdistance away, Lord Hastings summoned Frank, Lieutenant Taylor and AliceBeulow.
"Lieutenant Taylor," said Lord Hastings, "you and Mr. Chadwick will takethe launch and escort Miss Beulow aboard the cruiser. Give this," hecontinued, handing the lieutenant a paper, "to Captain Johnsonpersonally."
Frank and Lieutenant Taylor saluted and departed to make the launchready, while both the _Sylph_ and the cruiser hove to, so that the girlmight be transferred from one vessel to the other.
After saying good-by all around, and thanking Lord Hastings for hiskindness, Miss Beulow took her place in the launch. Frank and LieutenantTaylor followed and they were soon on their way toward the cruiser.
As the three had made their way to the launch. Lord Hastings whisperedto Frank:
"Lieutenant Taylor will go aboard with Miss Beulow. Immediately heleaves the launch you will return. The message he carries to CaptainJohnson will explain the situation to the latter."
"I am awfully sorry to see you leaving," said Frank to Miss Beulow, asthe launch approached the cruiser.
"And I am sorry to go," she replied. "However, I suppose it isnecessary. I hope that I shall see you again."
"I hope so, too," exclaimed Frank.
"You must look me up when the war is over, if you can," the girlcontinued, and, taking a card from her purse she wrote an address uponit and gave it to the lad.
Frank put the card carefully away.
"I certainly shall," he said.
Lieutenant Taylor had not spoken a word up to this time, but Frank hadcaught several threatening looks upon his face.
"Just a word of warning," he said to Miss Beulow, as she at last saidgood-by and made ready to leave the launch. "Beware of Taylor."
The girl smiled brightly at him, and with another word of farewell wasgone. Lieutenant Taylor, in accordance with his instructions, followedher aboard the cruiser.
Hardly had the lieutenant set foot on the deck of the cruiser, whenFrank ordered his men to put back to the _Sylph_. As the little launchgot under way, Frank heard a shout, and, looking over his shoulder, sawLieutenant Taylor angrily beckoning him to come back.
"Wait for me," cried the lieutenant.
Frank paid no heed to this command and the launch continued on its way.Aboard the _Sylph_ once more, Frank immediately made his way to LordHastings to report. Almost at the same moment the wireless operatorrushed up and passed the commander a slip of paper.
Lord Hastings read the message and then turned to Lieutenant Edwards.
"Full speed ahead!" he commanded. "We are ordered to feel the way forthe advance of the British fleet against the Germans to-night. It meanswe shall go into action."
"Hurrah!" shouted Frank, unable to restrain his enthusiasm.
"Hurrah!" cried Jack, who approached just in time to catch LordHastings' words.
A few moments more and the _Sylph_ was again dashing madly through thewater. But hardly was the vessel under way when the wireless operator,his face flushed and his manner manifesting the greatest excitement,rushed up to Lord Hastings.
"Sir!" he cried to the commander of the vessel, "Miss Beulow has beenaccused by Lieutenant Taylor and arrested on the _Alto_ as a Germanspy!"
"What!" shouted Lord Hastings.
"Arrested!" cried Frank.
"Yes, sir," replied the operator. "I just this moment received themessage."
"Come with me," commanded Lord Hastings, and the three made a rush forthe wireless room.
Just as they neared the room, the form of a man emerged hastily from thedoor, and, noting their approach, ran hurriedly along the deck. Payingno heed to the disappearing man, the three ran into the room. Here LordHastings dashed off a message, which he handed to the operator.
"Send this!" he commanded.
The message read:
"Release the girl. Arrest Lieutenant Taylor. He is the spy. Explanationfollows."
The operator took his place beside his instrument, but, after one touchof the key, sprang to his feet.
"It is dead!" he cried. "Somebody has tampered with it in my absence!"
"What!" exclaimed Lord Hastings excitedly, then added more coolly. "Whatis the matter with it?"
"I can't tell yet, sir. I shall have to look it over."
"Then do so at once!"
Frank and Lord Hastings remained quiet while the operator sought todetermine the cause of the trouble.
Finally the operator stood up and faced them.
"It's no use, sir," he said. "The whole apparatus is out of commission.It can't be repaired in less than twenty-four hours."
"Impossible!" cried Lord Hastings. "It must be repaired. That messagemust be sent!"
"I am sorry, sir," replied the operator, "but it is utterly impossibleto repair the damage in less than the time I have mentioned."
Lord Hastings was silent for some moments.
"Very well," he said at length. "Do the best you can."
He turned on his heel, and made his way to his cabin. Frank followedhim.
"But what will happen to Miss Beulow, sir?" he asked.
"I am afraid," was the reply, "that she is in great danger of beingshot!"
"Shot!" Frank stood aghast at the word.
"Yes," was the reply, "as she has been arrested, she will probably betried by an impromptu court-martial at once. If convicted, she will besentenced to die."
"But we can save her," cried Frank. "The _Sylph_ is fast; she canovertake the cruiser. Shall I give the order at once, sir?"
"I am sorry," replied Lord Hastings slowly, "but it cannot be done."
"Cannot be done? Why?"
"We have been ordered into action. We must obey. One life cannot beallowed to stand in the way."
"But--but----" Frank stammered.
Lord Hastings did not reply, but instead arose and summoned LieutenantEdwards.
"Arrest the sailor Hardy immediately and have him confined in irons!" hecommanded.
Lieutenant Edwards saluted and withdrew. Then Lord Hastings turned toFrank.
"I am sorry, my boy," he said kindly, "but there is nothing we can do.However, the case may not be as bad as we fear. The fact that Iinstructed Captain Johnson to keep Taylor away from the girl may arousesome suspicion in his mind and delay a court-martial."
"But there is nothing sure about it!" cried Frank. "To think of a girldying like that, when we are able to save her!"
Lord Hastings did not reply, but turned and went on deck. Frank followedhim, still imploring that the _Sylph_ be put about and return to thecruiser.
Looking over the water Frank could see that, for some reason, thecruiser was stationary. She had not continued on her course.
"See," he said to Lord Hastings, pointing, "we could reach her in almostno time. It would not delay us long. Will you not put about, sir?"
"We have hardly time now to reach the fleet," was the reply.
"But----" Frank began.
Lord Hastings raised a hand.
"Further talk is useless," he said. "I have said it is impossible!"
Frank's eyes roved about the ship. Suddenly they fell upon the littlelaunch.
"I am going, anyhow!" he cried, and ran toward the launch.