Women and children screamed and men hoarsely called to one another.  For a moment it looked as though the safety drill would result in a tragedy, and then shrill laughter from the men who had fallen into the water, as well as cries of merriment from those who still clung to the boat, showed that, if not intended as a joke, the happening had been turned into one.

The sailors were all good swimmers, the day was sunny and the water warm, and in a short time another boat had been rowed to the scene of the upset, and those who went overboard were picked up, still laughing.

“I might have taken that if I had known they were going to pull a stunt like that,” said Joe, a bit regretfully.  “However, I guess we’ll get all the excitement we want when we get to the war front.”

“I believe you!” exclaimed Charlie.  “There’s our German spy,” he added, pointing to the dark-complexioned and bearded man who had been seen, through the mirrors’ reflections, talking to the Frenchman.  He had evidently hurried up on deck to ascertain the cause of the confusion, for he was without collar or tie.

The boat was righted, the wet sailors went laughing below to change into dry garments, and the passengers resumed their usual occupations which, in the main, consisted of nervously watching the heaving waves for a sight of a periscope, or a wake of bubbles that might tell of an on-speeding torpedo.

Mr. Labenstein, to credit him with the name on the passenger list, gave a look around, and, seeing that there was no danger, at once went below again.

“Wonder how Blake’s making out?” asked Charlie of Joe, as they walked the deck.  “Do you think we’d better go down?”

“Not until we get some word from him.  Hello!  Here he is now!” and Joe pointed to their friend coming toward them.

“Well?” asked Joe significantly.

“Nothing much,” answered Blake.  “He was as nice and affable as he always is.  Just talked about the war in general terms.  Said the Allies and Uncle Sam were sure to win.”

“Did he want anything?” asked Charlie.  “He said he was going to ask a favor, you know.”

“Well, he hinted for information as to what we were going to do on the other side, but I didn’t give him any satisfaction.  Then he wanted to know whether we would consider an offer from the French Government.”

“What’d you say to that?”

“I didn’t give him a direct answer.  Said I’d think about it.  I thought it best to string him along.  No telling what may be behind it all.”

“You’re right,” agreed Joe.  “Lieutenant Secor will bear watching.  Did he have any idea we were observing him?”

“I think not.  If he did, he didn’t let on.  But I thought sure, when he came across the corridor and knocked, that he’d discovered us.”

“So did I, and I was all ready to bluff him out.  But we’ll have to be on the watch, and especially on the other side.”