The Boy Allies Under the Sea | Page 6

was the reply. "I
wouldn't tell this other fellow anything. He's too smart." He produced
his watch, and after a glance at it, said: "Five minutes to ten."
"By George!" exclaimed Jack. "And we were to meet Lord Hastings at
the Lion Inn at 10 o'clock."
"I can promise you'll be at the Lion Inn at 10 o'clock," replied the
leader of the capturing party, "but whether you will find Lord Hastings
there I can't say."
"You mean you are taking us there?" asked Jack.
"Exactly."
"That's what I call luck," broke in Frank. "We'll be all right in a few
moments now, Jack."
"You'll be all right till in the morning, I can guarantee that," growled
their captor.

At the door of the inn he motioned them to enter ahead of him. They
did so and the first person on whom their eyes rested was Lord
Hastings.
"Well, I see you are on time----" the latter began, and then broke off as
he saw the armed men behind them.
"Yes, sir, we are on time," replied Frank with a smile, "and we have
brought company to see you, sir!"
CHAPTER III.
A LESSON.
Lord Hastings was on his feet by this time and advanced toward the
two lads and their captors.
"What's the meaning of this?" he demanded of the man who appeared
to be the leader.
"We caught these fellows scooting down the Thames in a high-power
motorboat, sir," was the reply. "They were unable to give a satisfactory
account of themselves and one of them took a shot at us. So we brought
them here."
"Do you know who they are?" asked Lord Hastings, smiling a bit to
himself.
"No, sir; but I would take them for a couple of German spies, sir."
"H-m-m," muttered Lord Hastings. He stroked his chin a moment and
then asked: "And what do you intend to do with them?"
"Turn them over to Colonel Masterson, sir, who will return about
midnight. He is stopping here, sir."
Lord Hastings seemed to consider the matter a few moments, and then,
with a gesture, he turned on his heel, remarking:

"Well, I can't see that it is any of my business."
"Very good, sir," said the boys' captor.
Frank and Jack had remained quiet up to this time, but now the former
took a step after his commander, exclaiming:
"Aren't you going to get us out of this, sir? You can explain that we
have done no wrong."
Lord Hastings turned toward him.
"I have this officer's word," he said, indicating the boys' captor, "that
you were captured under suspicious circumstances. I thought I knew
you--both of you--but it may be that I have been mistaken. Stranger
things have happened than for a man to sell out to the enemy. I cannot
interfere with the officer in the performance of his duty."
"But, sir----" began Jack.
Now the officer interrupted.
"You know them?" he asked of Lord Hastings.
"I thought I did," was the reply. "It would seem that I have been
mistaken."
"I should say it does," said the officer. "Certainly they were making
their way down the river for no good purpose."
"I am afraid I must agree with you. However, I shall not interfere. You
may do as you think best with them."
"Very good, sir." The officer motioned the boys to precede him to the
stairs at the far end of the room. "Up with you," he commanded.
Frank hung back.
"Prod him up a bit there, men," instructed the officer.

A second man advanced and pushed his revolver against Frank's ribs.
"Move along," he commanded gruffly.
"Now look here----" began the lad, but Jack interrupted him.
"Come, Frank, don't be a fool," he said.
He led the way up the stairs, and Frank, still grumbling, followed. At
the top of the steps the boys were marched into a small room. The door
closed behind them and a key turned in the lock.
"Now," said Frank, turning to his friend, "what is the meaning of all
this?"
"You know just as much about it as I do," was the reply.
"But a word from Lord Hastings would have settled all this."
"But he didn't give it, did he?"
"No, he didn't; and that's what seems so strange. It looks to me as
though we are in for a peck of trouble."
"Say! you heard what Lord Hastings said about 'selling out.' Do you
think he believes us guilty of such a thing?"
"It's hard to tell what a man believes in times like these. Men have been
stood up against a wall and shot on less evidence. You remember
taking a shot at the other boat, don't you?"
"Yes, but----"
"'Buts' won't help us any, I'm afraid. I can't account for Lord Hastings'