He addressed the latter.  “Arm Edwards and our other men,” he continued, “though do it unknown to the Germans.  I don’t altogether trust this Davis.  Of course he is in the pay of the Germans; but once a traitor always a traitor.  Watch him closely.”

“I’ll watch him,” said Jack quietly.

“Very well.  Frank and I shall leave at once.”

Lord Hastings ordered a small boat over the side, the two jumped into it and rowed rapidly away, leaving Jack to pass the word among the crew that Commander Bernstorff had gone on a little scouting expedition.

For half an hour Lord Hastings and Frank rowed along without incident until they could see a few dull lights in the distant town of Dover.

“Seems to me there is a terrible lack of vigilance hereabouts,” declared Frank.

“It does look that way,” Lord Hastings admitted.  “However——­”

There came a sudden interruption—­the sound of a shot, and a bullet whistled overhead.

“Not such a terrible lack of vigilance, either,” remarked Lord Hastings.  “I wonder where that shot came from?”

He gazed about but could see nothing in the darkness.  Came a second shot from behind him, and turning, the two saw a little motorboat that had crept up behind them unnoticed.

“We surrender!” called Lord Hastings, fearing to take a chance that the next shot would miss.

The motorboat came toward them quickly.

“Who are you?” demanded a figure standing in the bow, and at this distance Lord Hastings could dimly make out that the man wore a British uniform.

“Friends,” was the reply.

The British officer peered at them sharply, then noticed their German uniforms.

“Friends, eh,” he said; “in those uniforms.  Not likely.  Climb into my boat.”

Lord Hastings and Frank obeyed without a word, and at a command from the British officer the motorboat put about and headed shoreward.

“Where are you taking us?” asked Lord Hastings quietly.

“None of your business,” was the sharp response.

“So?” said Lord Hastings quietly.  “I would advise you to speak more respectfully.  I would not like to report you.  I asked you a civil question and I would appreciate a civil answer.”

“Well, I’ll tell you, seeing that you are so anxious,” replied the officer.  “I am taking you to Admiral Fischer, at Dover, who, most likely, will know better how to attend to your case than I do.”

“Most likely,” repeated Lord Hastings.  “And how long before we may expect to see the admiral?”

“About half an hour.”

“Good!” And Lord Hastings whispered to Frank:  “Plenty of time.  Fortunately I am well acquainted with Admiral Fischer.”

CHAPTER XIX.

THE TRAP IS SET.

“Hastings!”

The exclamation was wrung from the lips of the astonished Admiral Fischer, in command of the naval forces operating about Dover.