"I'm afraid it's worse than that, Bunte," von Mueller said.
"Worse?" Lange's eyes were suddenly startled.
"I'm afraid your bird has flown, Bunte," he said. "Her father sent her and her mother to Shanghai by rail, with orders to clear from there as quickly as possible for Germany."
He passed over the handwritten note that had come with the dispatches. Lange opened it and read it through carefully; once in disbelief, the second time desperation.
"Kapitan—" he began.
"Gently, Leutnant!" von Mueller interrupted. "You must understand that in one way or another each one of us—down to the lowest decks—must face as hard a problem. Maybe someone down there has an even harder one than you. But if we have a problem, Bunte, so does everyone in the Empire. The very fact that we are Germans—"
"But, sir! But, sir," Lange protested, "we—she is going to have a baby."
"That doesn't help!" said von Mueller.
Lange stiffened. "I—It's not for myself, Herr Kapitan," he said. "As you have said, I have given my oath and will stand by it. But must she—"
Von Mueller looked sympathetic. "Bunte," he said, "we are all subjects of the Empire. Isn't she? Aren't you? We have sworn an oath, Bunte. But wasn't she born to it?"
"You don't understand, Herr Kapitan!" said Lange involuntarily.
"Don't I?" retorted von Mueller sharply. "I understand that she has her ideal, as you also have yours. If you can mold them into conformity, well and good. But, Leutnant Lange, I would also remind you that you have your duty, and she has hers. If they could be combined, that would be well and good, and we would all wish you happiness. But since they cannot, we must take the bitter with the sweet!"
"Sir, but was it necessary for her to be sent away?" Lange blurted.
There was a pause.
"Bunte," von Mueller said slowly, "I'm sorry. But she is no longer here. Maybe something will turn up later. But we cannot count on it. In any case—" ''We 'play the game'!" said Bunte.
"The 'game,' Bunte?" von Mueller retorted. "I'm afraid it will be more than a 'game.' Of course, if you prefer, I could have you transferred to one of the local minesweepers or torpedo patrols. She might be turned back—or you might be able to follow her into neutral territory."
Lange swallowed, but scarcely hesitated. "Thank you, Herr Kapitan," he replied. "My place is here, where I have been assigned, on board the Emden. I would not desert."
"I understand, Bunte." Von Mueller smiled gently. "I did not think you would run. Perhaps soon, sometime, we may be able to cross her path. If we do, I may send you in that direction. In the meantime, I know, you will do your best." "Thank you, sir," said Bunte.
"And remember, Leutnant Lange," von Mueller added, "today the coal. I will be ashore for a while. If I hear anything, I will let you know."
They slid into the coaling wharf, at the Imperial dockyard, before the sun began to get warm, and cast ashore their mooring lines. Even before the accommodation ladders were down, the gangways were up for the coolie crews, and the coal and supplies began flowing on board. Over at mole number one the Kaiserin Elizabeth still lay, where they had left her. Von Mueller reflected that she would be about as much defensive use as an Irish wherry. But at least she was out of his jurisdiction. He saw to it that everything aboard was going smoothly, and started for shore.
Before he went down the gangway, he drew Helmuth von Aluecke aside. "Let me see what I can find out, Helmuth," he said. "I'll let you know."
"Very well, Herr Kapitan."
Von Mueller smiled thinly. If that was the way it was to be, there was nothing he could do about it. Did none of them think he had any feelings in the matter?
At Government House, von Meyer-Waldeck was scarcely more receptive. "You were a long time getting in," he growled, "and here I have been left with all the details. Where were you?"
Von Mueller frowned. "Hardly a pleasure cruise, Herr Hauptmann," he-replied. "I had my orders, and I did bring back a fat prize. She can replace the old Kormoran. She's newer and faster, and with her plates and the guns she carries in her hold, plus those on the old Kormoran she will be a far more effective guard."
"So?" said von Meyer-Waldeck, only slightly mollified.
"So at least we are not leaving you entirely defenseless," von Mueller retorted. "Besides, we are leaving you the Kaiserin Elizabeth.
"Pah!" snapped the Governor, and von Mueller was curiously pleased.
There was a moment's silence.
"But we cannot quarrel," von Mueller said finally. "Johannes, we have more important matters to think about. Shall we get down to business?"
They went through the work mechanically but thoroughly. When they had done, von Mueller leaned back in his chair.
"All right, Johannes," he said. "We'll sail tonight. But why did you have to send Use away so hastily? Didn't you know how they would feel?"
"Oh, that, Karl!" cried the Governor. "For God's sake, why let it bother you? If you must know, Viktoria thought it would be best for her and the child."
"Didn't you guess that she was pregnant?" von Mueller demanded.
The Governor stared at him, aghast. "Why didn't someone tell me?
"It was no one's business but theirs, Johannes," von Mueller replied. "And it was not ours to pry. If she were here now. It would not be too late. But now she is gone—"
"Good God! What am I to do?" the Governor cried.
That's for you to say, Johannes," von Mueller replied. I m sure I have not the answer. At least they are married now."
"Can't you put in at Shanghai?" said the Governor desperately.
"Don't be a fool, Johannes!"
"Then what?" the Governor begeed.
"What?" retorted von Mueller."You know my orders, Johannes, and you know I cannot deviate from them—not for the sake of one man, or for all."
"You might touch South America—or Manila—" the Governor began.
"Or even reach Germany," said von Mueller. "No Johannes, this speculation is idle, as you know it is. She is your girl, who must endure the hardships of war, as he is my boy —at least my responsibility—who must obey orders. Will you do something for them?"
"Is there anything I can do for them?" cried the Governor eagerly.
"Write to her," said von Mueller. "Write to her, but not to Viktoria. Tell her that he loves her dearly and would crive his life to be at her side—" He brightened abruptly "I tell you, Johannes! It may be an idea! Tell them to take an American ship to Hawaii, en route to Germany. It may be that one of the fleet will put in there. If I hear that one will, I'll try to put him aboard."
Von Meyer-Waldeck's face brightened. "Will you Karl?" he cried. "How can I thank you?""
"Don't thank me yet," retorted von Mueller. "We don't even know that it will be possible. But we can try."
Oddly, he left Government House with a somewhat lighter heart.
It was only when he stepped into the official car that was waiting for him that he remembered. He was sure that he had told Gropius to tell Herman Schultz to come to his quarters. But in the press of other things he had forgotten and come ashore before the man could get there. Perhaps he would find him at home. He gave the address, out on Kiao-chow Road, to the chauffeur, who looked startled. But the Captain was too preoccupied to offer any explanation. When they drew up in front of the small bungalow, he told the driver to wait.
He went up the flower-lined path to the veranda and knocked. A large, broadly beaming woman opened the door, and at sight of him her mouth fell open.
"Ach! Herr Kapitan!" was all she could say.
In the shadows of the room behind her von Mueller could see Herman Schultz with his coat and shoes off and his feet comfortably raised on a stool.