The Boy Allies Under the Sea | Page 7

to sit here in solitary glory?" asked Frank.
"Ask me something easy," returned Jack. "We're here; that's all I know about it. However, I don't imagine we shall be here alone very long."
And he was right, although the first corner could not possibly have been in his mind, nor the nature of his coming.
Jack's attention was attracted toward the window by a slight squeaky sound. The lad glanced toward it, but no second sound followed immediately.
"Sounded like some one at the window," he said to Frank.
"I didn't hear anything," said the latter.
A moment later the noise came again. Jack sat up straight in his chair.
"Hear that?" he asked.
Frank nodded affirmatively.
"Some one there, all right," he agreed.
He made as though to rise, but Jack stayed him.
"Wait and see what happens," he said softly.
Both leaned back in their chairs and seemed to pay no further heed to the window. But without looking each became aware that the window was being raised softly, and clear across the room they could hear the breathing of a man. A foot sounded on the floor and at that moment both boys sprang to their feet and faced the intruder.
Before either could speak, the newcomer laid a finger to his lips in a sign for silence and came toward them.
"Quick!" he whispered, when he was close to them. "Tell me what you have learned. This may be your only chance!"
Frank and Jack stepped back in astonishment.
"Tell you what?" demanded the latter.
"What you have learned," repeated the man. "About the vanishing submarines. What has happened to them?"
Noticing the apparently puzzled looks on the faces of the two boys, the man smiled slightly and thrust a hand into his inside vest pocket.
"I see," he whispered. "You want to be sure it is all right. Here. Look!" he exhibited a small card. "My number. Thirty-two. See it?"
Jack's quick mind took in the situation on the instant.
"But you are no German," he protested.
"No, I'm English. Name of Davis. But I am in the game for what it's worth, the same as you are."
"I see," said Frank. "And you have been sent after our information?"
"Yes; and I shall have to hurry. We may be interrupted at any moment."
"We haven't had time to jot down anything," said Jack, "but we'll tell you what we have learned."
He whispered for some moments and Davis nodded understandingly. At last the boy ceased his whispering.
"And that's all you know?" asked Davis.
"Absolutely all," replied Jack, and added to himself, "and a whole lot more than I know, for that matter."
"Then," said Davis, "you believe that if we can get to the mouth of the Thames we can learn the whole secret?"
"That is my opinion," said Jack.
"Good; then I'll pass the word along. Good-bye."
Davis moved toward the window and a moment later disappeared on the outside.
"Now," said Frank to Jack, "just what did you tell that fellow? I couldn't hear all that whispering."
"Well," replied Jack, "I told him we had learned very little; but that the secret of the whole affair was at the mouth of the Thames; that that was where we were heading for when we were captured."
"And did you give him some kind of a hint as to the nature of the mystery?"
Jack smiled.
"Well, yes," he said. "I told him he would find some queer explosives there and a large number of swift torpedo boat destroyers, equipped with submarine nets. I told him that these made nightly raids into the Channel and the North Sea and thus disposed of the German submarines."
"And he believed it?"
"He seemed to. But that was the best I could do on short notice and knowing no more than I do of the matter."
"Well, it wasn't so bad," grinned Frank.
"I flatter myself that it could have been worse," returned Jack modestly.
They fell into a long silence, which was suddenly broken by Frank, who exclaimed anxiously:
"Say! Do you suppose that could have been a trap?"
"Trap?" repeated Jack. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, do you think Lord Hastings or some of the other British officers sent that man here simply to get evidence against us?"
"By Jove!" exclaimed Jack. "I never thought of that. Whew! Maybe I have gotten us into worse trouble than ever."
"If it was a trap, I guess you have," returned Frank glumly. "Yes, it was a good job you did, I don't think."
"Wait a minute, though," said Jack. "If it were a trap, it would be plainly evident we didn't know what we were talking about. That should be enough to let us out."
"Unless they believe we smelled a mouse and acted accordingly," returned Frank.
"Oh, well," said Jack, "there is no use worrying about it. We'll have to take what comes and that's all there is about it. Now, I'm going to rest a bit. When they come in, wake me up."
He