The Boy Allies Under the Sea | Page 6

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' actions, but you may be sure he has good reasons for whatever he does. It may even be true that he suspects us."
"By George! I don't believe that," exclaimed Frank.
"It doesn't seem possible; but still you can't tell."
"But what are we going to do?"
"Do? There is nothing we can do. We'll have to stay here until they decide what to do with us. There is nothing else to do."
The boys kept up their conversation for some time, and the more they talked the more they became convinced that their plight was more serious than they had at first supposed. It seemed very plain to them now that Lord Hastings must believe in their guilt and that he would not raise a finger in their behalf.
It was after midnight and the boys were still talking when the key again turned in the lock of the heavy door. It swung inward and their captor entered.
"Down stairs," he said briefly, motioning them to march down ahead of him.
The lads obeyed this order.
There was no one in the room below; and the lads sat down before the fireplace to await whatever might transpire.
"There will be no use trying to escape," said their captor. "The place is surrounded. You would be shot down like dogs. Now just be as comfortable as you can. I have business elsewhere."
He wheeled about quickly and disappeared through the door and the lads heard him lock it after him.
"Well, why are we allowed