Hancock Harrie Irving - Dave Darrin and the German Submarines. Or, Making a Clean-up of the Hun Sea Monsters стр 16.

take your eyes away from your particular work. Get up, Jordan.

The latter, the sailor who had been attacked, rose to his feet, sullenly rubbing his throat.

Ferguson, why did you attack Jordan? Dave demanded.

Look astern, sir! Seaman Ferguson replied, pointing to the wake of the destroyer. Do you see that gleam on the water, sir? Its something that Jordan dropped overboard. Its some tricky, dirty work, sir, or Ill eat my guess. Ive known since last night, sir, that Jordan was tricky. He tried to get me to look another way to-night, but out of the corner of one eye I saw him drop something overboard and then that thing in our wake began to gleam.

By this time the solitary marine guard on deck duty had arrived aft. Beholding the commanding officer, the sea-soldier saluted and stood at attention.

My man, Dave ordered, take my compliments to Lieutenant Curtin and my instructions that he is to make a careful turn and try to go back through our wake. He is to be very exact about going over the very wake of this craft. The message delivered, report back here.

Jordan, who had turned deathly pale, glanced about him as if meditating some foolish flight.

Now, Jordan, Dave began, taking the young sailor firmly by the arm, what was it you threw overboard?

A a began the accused one.

Yes, come out with it, Darrin commanded.

I didnt throw anything overboard, sir. Ferguson is a liar.

Whereupon Seaman Ferguson, though he still kept his eyes turned in the direction imposed by his watch duties, clenched both fists hard.

It wont do you any good to deny, Jordan, Dave insisted. Were going back and find that whatever it was that you threw overboard. Better tell me now!

As if to confirm his words the Logan began to turn in a half circle. At the same time the marine returned.

Take Jordan below. See that hes searched and then confined in the brig, Dave directed.

With infinite care the Logan sought her recent wake. It was no simple task on such a night, when the new moon had already set. And, travelling at such easy speed, the Logan had not stirred up anything like the foamy, suds-like wake that trailed after her when she steamed at fighting speed.

By the time the turn was made the glowing object that Ferguson had pointed out was no longer visible. Carefully the destroyer picked her way back. They were a bit out of the straight line, though, as Darrin presently found reason to believe, for a tiny glow, looking like a point of dim light in the near distance, was finally sighted about three points off the port bow.

Two points to port, Dave passed the word. He was now well up forward of the bridge, watching the surface of the ocean intently. Steady! Stop!.. Half speed astern Stop!

The glowing object was now in plain sight as it tossed on the swells. Darrin gave the order to lower a cutter, instructing Ensign Phelps to go along and haul in that glowing object.

There was no need to watch it from the Logan. Mr. Phelps, from the cutter, could make it out distinctly. Soon he reached it, a seaman bending over the side and picking up the object.

Pass it to me at once, directed the ensign, and an instant later took possession of it. By the time the boat had been hoisted to the davits Mr. Phelps leaped down to the deck and joined his commander.

Did you observe, sir? This thing glowed, while in the water, declared the ensign, holding up a bottle of about a pint capacity, tightly closed with a rubber stopper. Yet when I got it in out of the water it stopped glowing, and looked as dull and dark as it does now. I believe its coated with a transparent substance that glows only when the thing is in the water. Have I your permission, sir, to drop it in a fire bucket and see?

Go ahead, Dave assented.

Phelps walked to a near-by fire bucket and thrust the bottle in the water. At first nothing happened. After a few seconds, however, the bottle began to glow dimly, then gradually increased in brightness until it became clear and mellow.

Thats enough for that, Darrin nodded. Now bring it into the chart-room, Mr. Phelps, and well look it over.

Their entrance awoke Dalzell, who stretched, then sprang up.

Dave hastily explained to his chum what had happened, at the same time going to the desk and turning on a stronger electric light.

Holding the bottle up against the light, Dave was able to make out what looked like a folded piece of paper in it, nothing else.

At all events, smiled Dave, as he seated himself before the desk and glanced through the bottle glass, I do not see any reason to believe that I shall set off any explosive by drawing out the rubber stopper.

Nothing

disastrous happened as the stopper was withdrawn. Holding the bottle up to the light once more, peering through the neck, Darrin saw that it contained only the folded paper. Careful work with a penholder consumed five minutes of time before the paper was pried out, whole.

Dave spread it on the desk before him,

Phelps, you read German better than I do, I believe.

I can make a stagger at it, sir.