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"U-16," answered Lord Hastings, who had gone through the former commander's papers carefully, "Bernstorff, commanding." "Bernstorff," came the surprised response. "Where is Captain Tarlenhein?" "If you will come aboard, I will explain," shouted Lord Hastings. "Very well." A few moments later a small boat left the side of the other vessel and came toward the U-16.
They are young, as you see, but they have proved themselves more than once in His Majesty's service." The young German bowed again. "Now," continued Lord Hastings, "I shall take up the little matter of how I happen to be in command of the U-16 and the unfortunate fate of Captain Tarlenhein." "Fate!" exclaimed Von Rosten. "It is only too true," muttered Lord Hastings sorrowfully.
"But he died as a loyal servant of the Emperor. I shall explain." "If you will," said the young German. "Under command of Captain Tarlenhein," said Lord Hastings, "the U-16, as you may possibly know, has been in the Irish Sea, and, at one time or another, off the mouth of the Thames. Whether you knew it or not, Captain Tarlenhein also carried a number. There was work to be done in England.
"In London we were being taken to The Tower, when we all made a break for liberty right in the middle of the city. Captain Tarlenhein was shot down. The rest of us escaped. Through the instrumentality of my peculiar resemblance to a British naval officer, we overcame numerous difficulties, although my young friends here almost came to grief.
"Well," he said quietly, "here are our orders," and he laid the paper on the table. "Sit down." The lads did so, and Lord Hastings, seating himself, picked up the document, broke the seal, and read aloud: "Captain Tarlenhein,
Suddenly there came a hail across the water and a light flashed upon the U-16. In response to a command Lord Hastings brought the vessel to a halt. "Who are you?" came the challenge in the darkness. "U-16, Captain Tarlenhein," Lord Hastings shouted back. "Good," was the reply. "We wondered what had happened to you. Everything all right?" "All right."
"Of course, we already had our agents there in fact, I was one of them, and my two friends here. We were instructed to report to Captain Tarlenhein aboard the U-16 at a certain time. We did so, the vessel at that time lying off the Thames. Captain Tarlenhein had other instructions for us. We went ashore again and there encountered trouble. We were captured.
"You have just as much idea as I have," declared Lord Hastings. "However, we shall probably know in good time." And he was right. Half an hour later a small boat approached the side of the U-16. In response to a signal from Lord Hastings, who had perceived his approach, a subordinate officer clambered aboard. "Captain Tarlenhein?" he inquired.
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