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And there they stood in a row, like delinquents at judgement, while we, the true culprits, had only passively to accept explanations. Of course these were plausible enough. Dollmann having seen the yacht in port that morning had called on his return from Memmert to ask us to supper. Finding no one aboard, and concluding we were ashore, he had meant to leave a note for Davies in the cabin.
We cut through the sands by the Telte. 'The Telte! In a north-west gale! The commander started, ceased to smile, and only stared. 'Herr Dollmann knew the way, said Davies, doggedly. 'He kindly offered to pilot me through, and I wouldn't have gone otherwise. There was an awkward little pause. 'He led you well, it seems? said von Brüning. 'Yes; there's a nasty surf there, though, isn't there?
Dollmann lashed the wheel, leaned over her quarter, and shouted, very slowly and distinctly so that I could understand; "Follow me sea too bad for you outside short cut through sands save six miles." A great jagged chunk of it runs out from Cuxhaven in a north-westerly direction for fifteen miles or so, ending in a pointed spit, called the Scharhorn.
Now, in sailing in I was nowhere near either of them. When I last saw Dollmann he must have been steering straight for the bank itself, at a point somewhere here, quite a mile from the northern arm of the channel, and two from the southern. I followed by compass, as you know, and found nothing but breakers ahead. How did I get through? That's where the luck came in.
'Who are "they"? Who are our adversaries? If Dollmann were an accredited agent of the German Admiralty But, no, it was incredible that the murder of a young Englishman should be connived at in modern days by a friendly and civilized government! Yet, if he were not such an agent, the whole theory fell to the ground.
'It's too fine, said Davies; 'I prefer wind. If I cannot get a friend I think I shall stop cruising, leave the yacht here, and come back for her next year. There was some mute telegraphy between the allies. 'You can leave her in my charge, said Dollmann, 'and start with your friend to-morrow. 'Thanks; but there is no hurry, said Davies, growing redder than ever.
To reduce a romantic ideal to a working plan is a very difficult thing. 'We shall have to argue backwards, I said. 'What is to be the final stage? Because that must govern the others. There was only one answer to get Dollmann, secrets and all, daughter and all, away from Germany altogether. So only could we satisfy the double aim we had set before us.
'H'm! said Davies; 'she's a very fine boat that. Our host smiled, gazing thoughtfully at Davies, who was miserable. I saw a chance, and took it mercilessly. 'We can call on Fräulein Dollmann, at least, Davies, I said, with a meaning smile at von Brüning. 'H'm!, said Davies; 'will he be back soon, do you think? The commander had begun to light a cigar, and took his time in answering.
'You gave us plenty of history, commander, but you did not bring it up to date. The triple alliance laughed, Dollmann boisterously. 'Well, said von Brüning; 'I gave you very good reasons, and you acquiesced. 'And now he is trying to pump me, said Böhme, with his rasping chuckle. 'Wait a bit, sir; I have an excuse. The commander was not only mysterious but inaccurate.
I know we wanted a free hand, but we've got to go to Norderney some time, and if Dollmann's away 'Why did you harp on Miss Dollmann? said Davies. We had worked round, through idle recrimination, to the real point of departure. I knew Davies was not himself, and would not return to himself till the heart of the matter was reached. But directly you really want me you turn round and go for me.
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