Hancock Harrie Irving - Dave Darrin and the German Submarines. Or, Making a Clean-up of the Hun Sea Monsters стр 18.

Im positive that he did, sir.

Did you see him do it?

No, sir, Ferguson replied, without hesitation.

Dave Darrin had followed a style of questioning that is common to the Army and the Navy when one enlisted man makes a report against another enlisted man. Daves first object was to make sure that there was no really bad blood between the men, and that the charge wasnt merely a matter of getting square. Secondly, Darrin was trying to make up his mind as to Fergusons keenness and reliability as a witness. By this time he had made up his mind that Seaman Ferguson was telling the truth according to his best knowledge of what had happened, and that he had spoken without prejudice.

Ferguson, said the young destroyer commander, promptly, I am satisfied that you have answered me truthfully. I also commend you for your prompt action to-night. As to your failure to make a report of your suspicions last night I believe that you have justified yourself.

Thank you, sir. If I may, I would like to ask the lieutenant-commander a question.

This way of putting it, addressing Dave in the third person, is quite in keeping with the custom of the service.

You may ask the question, Dave nodded.

Then I would like to ask the lieutenant-commander, sir, if I would have done better to have reported my suspicions last night?

It is impossible to answer that question for every case that might arise, Dave told him. Navy men, whether enlisted or commissioned, dislike tale-bearers. In war-time, however, and under peculiar conditions where extreme peril always lurks, and where the act of a spy may destroy a ships company in a twinkling of an eye, it is usually permissible to report even vague suspicions. The officer to whom such a report is made will quickly discover that it is probably only a vague suspicion, and then he will not be unduly prejudiced against the suspected man.

Thank you, sir.

Do not talk this over with your mates, Ferguson. The less that is said about the matter for the present the better I shall like it. That is all for the present. You have done a good bit of work, Ferguson.

I thank the lieutenant-commander.

At a nod from Darrin the seaman saluted and withdrew.

For the next five minutes Dave sat, alternately scanning the message and studying the appearance of the bottle. At last he looked up at his brother officers.

Mr. Phelps, you will make it your next duty to search Jordans effects. In his duffle bag or hammock space you may find more of these bottles. If you do not, you will extend your search further, as your judgment dictates. If there are any more of these bottles on board I wish them found and turned over to me.

After the ensign had gone Dan drew on his sheepskin.

After this spy scare, he announced, Im off to make an inspection. Perhaps I may find something connected with this matter.

If you go by the brig, Danny-boy, you might tell Jordan that at any time when he wants to open up and speak the truth he may send in word.

Very good, sir.

Left by himself Darrin went to a filing case, turned to J and brought forth Jordans descriptive card. This is a card that contains full information as to an enlisted mans name, his age, a personal description, extent and kind of service, education, qualifications, disciplinary record, the

grades in which he has served, the ships and shore stations on or at which he has served, and more information along similar lines.

Jordans card showed that the arrested man had joined the Navy five years before, as an apprentice, at the age of nineteen; his work had always been well done; he had never been in serious trouble; his reputation was good. His home address was given and the names of his parents stated.

No help from this source, Dave mused, as he returned the card to its proper place in the drawer. Assuming that Jordan is guilty, then Jordan is not his real name, and hes really a German, not an American. For Jordans treachery might cause the sudden destruction of this craft, and no American, no matter how bad, would sell out for mere money when he knew his treachery was likely to result in his own sudden death. No American, good, bad or indifferent, would be capable of such devotion to Germany, but a German would. Therefore I suspect that Jordan is really a German, who enlisted under a false name. It may even be that German authorities, foreseeing the coming of the war, and suspecting that the United States might be drawn into it, ordered this young fellow to enlist in peace times that he might be at hand as a spy when trouble did break out. If that is true of Jordan, I wonder how many other German spies also succeeded in enlisting in our Navy before Germany went to war at all? Jupiter, but thats a startling question! For that matter, have we other German spies aboard the Logan?

The idea was enough to cause Darrin to settle back in his chair, a prey to rushing thoughts.

CHAPTER VIII THE BATTLE FOR THE TROOPSHIP FLEET

For some minutes there had been silence, but at last one of the group in the bow spoke.