Why such a frail craft should have been sent out in such a season remained a mystery, but it turned out that one such vessel had already foundered with all hands on the run, and that this Captain and crew had been paid bonuses before sailing from England; that all had heard of the good treatment given her captives by the Emden. They were ready and packed and even cheered when the cruiser drew alongside, showing nothing but relief when they were taken on board. As night fell and they steamed slowly westward, those off duty, at least, felt able to relax a little and contemplate this most recent accomplishment. In general the feeling was that now their supplies had been abundantly replenished they should be able to enjoy the fruits of their labors. At dawn, however, the alarm sounded once more, and the weary men hurried once more to their stations.
Von Muecke and Lauterbach arrived on deck at the same time.
"There's smoke reported almost due east, from a vessel evidently standing north-northwest on an interception course. Conrad," said the Captain, "you'd best alert your boarders. It looks as though there will be work for you."
"Ach, zum Teufel!" Lauterbach swore disgustedly. "Well, your xx\xn to go with me, Anton. Franz, if we miss dinner, ask Herman to keep some warm for us, eh?"
Anton von Guerard sighed, shrugged, then rose and joined Conrad on the deck outside. As they reached the rail, they could feel the Emden swing to a new northeasterly course and hear the jangle of the engine-room telegraph on the bridge. Underfoot the soft hum of the engines rose to a throbbing, rhythmic beat as they leaped to full speed ahead. Seas which a moment ago had been merely turned gently aside before them, were now abruptly sheared by their cutwater into twin creaming plumes of curling white. The ship's stern seemed to squat lower, and her bows rose as she sprang forward at her best thirty-one knots.
Under such driving the Emden closed the gap between them rapidly, and within a few minutes the stranger loomed over the horizon within range of both guns and glasses. A warning shot across her bows brought her reluctantly to, and a message was quickly flashed across, telling her not to attempt to use her wireless. She proved to be a recently built combination passenger and cargo ship, the Troilus of the Blue Funnel Line. In less than an hour's time after they first sighted her smoke, Lauterbach and von Guerard, with prize crew following, ran up her accommodation ladder to come face to face with her disgruntled skipper. Lauterbach clicked his heels properly and saluted. "I am sorry to have to detain you. Captain?"
Intent on the preliminaries, he was scarcely aware of the crew, grouped together forward, behind their Captain, or of the white-faced passengers, huddled against the midships bulkhead. Both groups were properly the concern of von Guerard.
"Russell—Gaylord Russell," the Englishman grumbled. "What the devil are you chaps doing here? Admiralty' distinctly told me that the safest route to Aden lay thirty miles north of the regular track! I—" He stopped and reddened slowly.
"Thank you, Captain," Lauterbach grinned. "I will pass that information on to my commanding officer."
The Englishman opened his mouth for an angry retort, but he had no time to deliver it. Instead he was interrupted by a woman's gasp—a sound of almost pleased surprise, and then her cry.
"Why, Conrad—Captain Lauterbach! What in the world are you doing here?"
Lauterbach's head swiveled around with startled abruptness, and he stared at the group of passengers. At sight of the girl he flushed.
"Caroline! Miss Grey!" he exclaimed, then recovered himself quickly. "Don't you think I should be the one to ask you that question? I am only obeying orders—going where I am sent. Is it surprising, then, that I might turn up anywhere at sea?"
"And I," she laughed wryly, "have been trying to get home for months! Do you realize, Captain Lauterbach, that this is the fourth time that the Emden has barred my way? It is the first time, though, that I have actually seen her since Tsingtao."
"A pity." Lauterbach smiled sympathetically. "I know that we arc supposed to be everywhere at once, but unfortunately, we cannot be in more than one place at a time."
"You—you know—this Hun.'" Captain Russell demanded.
The other passengers drew back a little from Caroline Grey and eyed her as if they held her to blame for everything. If she noticed it, she gave no sign.
"I know this gentleman," she replied, and her tone was a chill rebuke. "And if I did not, Captain Russell, everyone, at least in this part of the world, knows that the officers and men of the Emden play the game honorably—whatever may be happening elsewhere!"
Lauterbach felt his hackles subsiding. He had half uttered an angry retort to the Englishman, but Caroline Grey had not only remonstrated in a manner far more effective than anything he could have said, she had also soothed his own ruffled feelings and enabled him to regain control of his temper. He bowed toward her.
"Thank you, Miss Grey," he said, then with a glance included all the rest, passengers and crew. Captain and officers. "Before the war I commanded the Staatssekretar Kratke, of the Hamburg-Amerika Line. Miss Grey was but one of the many English people who came out to the East with me as passengers. We were friends then. Now, though we are on opposite sides in this war, I assure you that the ideals that we shared are not forgotten. I can give you my word that you will all be quite safe. There may be inconvenience, it is true, but in war that cannot be avoided. Now, if you please, will you all go to your quarters and wait further orders. If you have nothing else to do, I suggest that you start packing your personal belongings. It may be necessary to abandon ship soon—"
"Abandon ship!" one of the passengers gasped.
Lauterbach turned a cool eye on him. "Exactly, sir. I said there might be some inconvenience, but I also said that you would be in no danger. If Kapitan von Mueller deems it necessary to sink this vessel, you and your belongings will be put safely on board another."
He turned toward the English girl. "Miss Grey," he said, "I would be delighted to stop and chat with you, but I am afraid that must wait. If you will excuse me now, I will complete formalities with Captain Russell."
She looked uncertain, almost crestfallen. "I—I hope we may talk—" she said hesitantly.
"Later." Lauterbach bowed. "Captain Russell, shall we go up to the chartroom? I must see your papers, of course, and we can best signal the cruiser from the bridge."
The Captain shrugged helplessly and turned to lead the way. Behind them Caroline Grey's voice sounded.
"Captain Lauterbach—please! Only a moment!" They halted and turned inquiringly. "Conrad—Captain—is Helmuth—I mean Kapitanleutnant von Muecke—is he—"
He looked at her almost sadly, feeling a sudden sense of helplessness. "He is with us—and well, Fraulein. Do you want me to tell him—"
"Oh, no!" she cried. "I—I mean—I would rather he did not know that I am here—at least, not yet. I—I think it would be easier for you—for everyone."
"Very well, Miss Grey," he said gently, "I will not mention it."
The Troilus proved to be bound from Hong Kong for England with passengers and a cargo of rubber, tin, copper, and piece goods valued at more than twenty-five million Marks. Lauterbach relayed the information from the Troilus^ bridge, mentioning that there was "a lady" among the passengers, but giving no hint of her identity.
From the cruiser the signal flashed back:
Prepare to transfer captives and all available provisions to Buresk. Stand by to sink Troilus.