Hancock Harrie Irving - Dave Darrin and the German Submarines. Or, Making a Clean-up of the Hun Sea Monsters стр 17.

Look this through and translate for me, Darrin requested.

Slowly, and with a good deal of care, Phelps translated in these words:

U. S. Destroyer Logan. 8.15 P. M. (Date) Longitude ; latitude . Course, west by southwest. Carries three times usual amount of ammunition. Speed, eight knots.

The actual date was given; longitude and latitude were correct enough.

When Phelps had finished reading Dave Darrin leaned back in his chair, pain expressed in his face and eyes.

A traitor on board! An American on this craft who has sold himself to the Huns! In the name of mercy how can such a thing be?

CHAPTER VII DARRIN HAS A SPY SCARE

That order was quickly obeyed. Seaman Jordan, shuffling his feet, his eyes roving shiftily, nevertheless maintained a half-defiant, half-injured air.

Jordan, demanded Dave, without a moments waiting, as the man was placed before him, why did you drop this bottle overboard?

I didnt, sir.

But Ferguson says you did.

Hes a liar, sir.

Where did you get this bottle? Dave rapped out.

I didnt get it, sir; I never saw it before.

Have you any more of these bottles?

Naturally not, sir.

What is the transparent coating on this bottle that makes it glow soon after it reaches the water?

I dont know anything about it, sir.

Jordan, dont you know that, in maintaining this defiant attitude, you are only injuring your own case? Darrin demanded, warningly.

I cant tell you anything else than Im telling you, sir, the sailor cried, angrily. I have been telling you the truth and I wont lie, sir.

I dont ask you to lie, Darrin observed coolly.

But you wont believe me, sir.

No, said Dave, rising. I dont. Corporal, take this man back to the brig. And see to it that you dont repeat anything that you have heard here. As you go out pass the word by messenger to the officer of the deck to have Seaman Ferguson relieved. As soon as that is done Ferguson is to report to me here.

So swiftly are orders carried out on a destroyer in war-time that it was less than a minute later when Ferguson knocked, entered, saluted, and stood, cap in hand, before his commanding officer.

Ferguson, Dave began, outside of your being stationed with him, have you seen much of Jordan?

About as much, sir, as I see of any shipmate who isnt any particular friend of mine.

Have you been on unfriendly terms with Jordan?

Not until I caught him at tricks to-night, sir.

Ever had any trouble with Jordan?

Fought him twice, I think, sir.

Any bad blood between you two?

No, sir; that is, nothing more than disputes that blew over at once after we had used our fists on each other.

Who won the fights?

I did, sir.

And you have not looked upon Jordan as an enemy?

No, sir.

What has been your opinion of Jordan as a seaman?

He always seemed to know his business, sir.

Did he perform his duties cheerfully?

I thought so, Ferguson replied.

Now, Ferguson, Darrin went on, you two have chatted quite a bit, havent you, when on station side by side?

Yes, sir, whenever we found the time hanging heavy on our hands.

What did you talk about?

Sometimes, sir, we talked about the fun that can be had on shore leave, but more often about submarines and the war, sir.

And what was Jordans attitude toward the war?

I dont know that I understand you, sir.

Did Jordan speak as if he believed the United States did right to enter the war?

Oh, yes, sir.

He talked, did he, like what you would call a good American?

Yes, sir; always, when the subject was mentioned.

And you believed him loyal to the United States?

Yes, sir; up to last night.

What happened then?

Why, sir, Jordan got me to look off to starboard, and my back was turned to him for a moment. I felt, rather than saw, that he had dropped something overboard. I looked quickly astern at our wake. I now feel

pretty sure, sir, that I saw something glowing floating on the water astern. You may remember, sir, that at this time last night there was a heavy phosphorescent wake. And we were making faster speed last night, too, and our propeller turned up more of the phosphorescent stuff in the water, if that is the right way to express it, sir.

Darrin nodded his comprehension of the description, and went on:

Last night was the first time you had any suspicion of Jordan?

Yes, sir.

Did he do anything further last night to arouse your suspicion?

No, sir.

Did you watch him?

Yes, sir; like a hawk. But Im pretty sure that he didnt know I was watching him.

Did you report your suspicions to any officer?

No, sir.

Why not?

Because I didnt have anything but a hazy suspicion to report, sir, and I wouldnt like to carry tales or rouse suspicion against a chap who might be altogether decent.

Then your previous fights with Jordan didnt cause you to dislike or suspect the man?

Certainly not, sir. I dont fight that way. When Ive a bit of a scrap with a mate, sir, the fight is over, with me, when it stops.

Yet you felt that you should keep an eye on Jordan to-night?

Yes, sir.

And you believe that Jordan dropped this bottle overboard into our wake?