The Island Mystery Part 36

"Gorman," he said, "my friend Gorman. Once more we are alive. Many things happen. It is a hand of no trumps doubled and redoubled.

Gorman, I palpitate, I thrill. We arrive at the moment of destiny.

Behold destiny!"

Gorman, who was looking out of the window, saw the submarine, but did not for the moment recognize destiny. He agreed with the King that her arrival made a desirable break in the monotony that oppressed them.

But the situation did not strike him as equal in emotional value to a redoubled hand at bridge. The best he hoped for was some fresh company, a little news from the outside world and possibly a bundle of newspapers.

"Submarine?" he said. "English or German, do you think? and what do you suppose she wants here?"

"English, pooh! By this time no English ships are left on the sea. It is an under-water boat of the Emperor, and she comes to seek the petrol stored in the cave."

"Liable to disappointment then," said Gorman. "That petrol's gone."

"I know it," said the King, "therefore I say 'Behold destiny.' But I, Gorman, I laugh at destiny. I mock. I snap the finger and thumb of my hand. So." He snapped the fingers of both hands with airy defiance. "I am a king. I play a game until the end. I die game-playing. And Corinne will not grieve too much. On Salissa I think Corinne loves less than in Paris. Hurrah, Gorman. Hip, and hip, and hurrah, three times."

Gorman was not impressed by this rhapsody. He was not yet sufficiently roused from the bad temper and depression induced by the sirocco to appreciate the King's exalted mood.

"I suppose," he said, "that Donovan will ask the captain to dinner. I hope to goodness he can talk English. There's a lot of news I want to hear."

Donovan, sitting alone in his room, did not see the arrival of the submarine. It was Smith who reported the matter to him.

"Warship of a belligerent nation?" said Donovan.

"Yes, sir; German, sir."

"German or English," said Donovan, "it's the same thing. This is a neutral State and we haven't got any quarrel with either party."

"Yes, sir," said Smith. "Quite so, sir. But, I beg your pardon. She's German."

Donovan thought this over for a minute.

"I appreciate your feelings, Smith," he said, "and I don't deny that your situation might be an awkward one if this wasn't a neutral State.

But you're in the service of the Crown of Salissa now, and I reckon that any attempt to inflict punishment on you would be contrary to international law."

"I'm sure you know best, sir."

"That's as good as to say that your interpretation of international law is superior to mine. It may be. But the matter will have to come before the superior courts before anything's settled."

"It's not that, sir," said Smith. "I'm not afraid of the law."

"Oh," said Donovan, "you're inclined to think that the German captain may trample on the law?"

"Seeing as how you've no guns, sir, he might."

"Smith," said Donovan, "just look out of that window and tell me what banner the Queen has flying from the flagpost. Old Glory, isn't it?"

"The American flag, sir. Yes, sir."

"Well," said Donovan, "I guess that's good."

Smith appears to have been remarkably cool. Both Donovan and Gorman agree that he showed no sign of fear or excitement. Yet he must have known that he was in serious danger. He had been a member of the German Secret Service. He had deserted it, revealed its secrets and acted against his employers. He had very good reason to expect to be hanged or shot within the next couple of hours. He cannot, I imagine, have placed much confidence in the protection afforded by the American flag. But he seems to have had a profound belief in Donovan.

When the Queen and Kalliope, wind torn and dishevelled, reached the palace, it was Smith who met them and in answer to her eager questions told the Queen that the submarine was German. He added that the captain would probably come ash.o.r.e. He asked where the Queen would like to receive him.

"I'm afraid, your Majesty," he said, "that there may be some trouble.

I mean to say that it won't be quite a friendly visit to your Majesty.

He'll be expecting a supply of petrol, and----"

The Queen gave a little gasp of surprise. Then she burst into a peal of laughter.

"There's not a drop left," she said. "He'll be just mad. I wonder what he'll say. Do you think he'll be rude?"

"Quite possibly, your Majesty," said Smith. "The Germans haven't got very good manners."

"We'll have him in the big hall, Smith. And we'll all be there. If he's nice about the petrol and takes it as a joke we'll ask him to dinner. If he's rude he can just go back to his old submarine and sulk by himself."

Smith was quick in making preparations for the reception in the great hall. But the captain of the submarine reached the landing steps before the party in the palace was ready for him. The Queen hurried into the hall and took her seat on a chair which Smith placed for her.

Konrad Karl ran to warn his Corinne to stay in her room and keep the door locked. Smith went to summon Donovan. Gorman, eager now and full of curiosity, stood at the door of the hall to watch the landing of the German officer. As the Queen took her seat he turned to her.

"Hullo," he said, "it's our old friend von Moll."

"_That_ man!" said the Queen.

"Funny to think of his turning up here again," said Gorman. "Hope he'll keep sober this time."

Von Moll was sober enough at the moment. He stood very erect, very stern, most awe-inspiring while his men landed, six of them, all armed. Then he tramped up the steps. He halted for a minute on the terrace where the flagstaff was. He gave an order. One of his men drew a knife from a sheath and cut the flag halyard. The Stars and Stripes crumpled up and fluttered down the wind.

Gorman turned to the Queen again.

"Your flag's gone," he said. "Von Moll appears to be in a bit of a temper."

Then he stepped out of the hall and went forward down the path. He held out his hand to von Moll.

"How are you?" he said. "Perfectly beastly day, isn't it? Any news?"

Von Moll marched on, taking no notice whatever of his friendly greeting. Gorman, smiling pleasantly, followed him towards the hall.

"Been in any more naval battles since we last met?" said Gorman. "By the way, was there any fuss when you got home about that man's teeth?"

Von Moll stalked into the hall. Gorman followed him.

"It's no use your pretending not to understand English," he said. "You talked it splendidly last time you were here."

Von Moll made no pretence at politeness. He did not even salute the Queen. He looked round him with an insolent glare. Konrad Karl hurried through the door at the far end of the hall and took his place at the Queen's side. He had a lighted cigarette in his hand. It could not be said of him that he was frightened; but he was certainly excited. He fidgeted nervously with his moustache and his eyes were unusually bright. Von Moll watched him for a minute and then spoke.

"King Konrad Karl," he said, "you will consider yourself under arrest and be prepared to follow me on board."

The King gave a little twist to his moustache.