"Surely you do have some notion of the state of the world just now!" von Mueller retorted. "How were things at home when you sailed?"
"Normal enough." Lauterbach looked puzzled. "There was some rumbling in the Balkans, but that is always there. After we sailed, there was the tragedy at Sarajevo, and the Austrians and the Russians have been rattling their sabers at one another since. But you know that's only their usual way. Why? What are you worried about?"
"Surely you must be aware how the tension has increased since then, Conrad," said von Mueller grimly. "And unfortunately, I can't agree with you that this is mere saber rattling. Between us—and I will ask you to keep it confidential until we have some official word, one way or the other—I expect orders for full mobilization of all naval forces within a matter of hours. I am sure you understand what that means."
"Mobilization? Total mobilization?" Lauterbach stared at him in startled surprise. "Why—yes, I do understand what that would mean to me. As a reservist I would be called! But are things so sinister? Would it mean so much—to her?" He nodded in the direction of the refreshment table, where Miss Grey and von Muecke were laughing and filling their plates.
"I am very much afraid it might, Conrad," replied von Mueller. "You must have heard from Reuter's news this afternoon that yesterday Austria declared war and invaded Serbia. By alliance Russia is pledged to support Serbia, and as we are committed to support Austria it looks as if war is inevitable."
Lauterbach looked unhappy. "This is talk for diplomats, Karl!" he exclaimed. "I'm only a simple sea captain! I carry people of all nations in my ship as passengers, and I find them —what would you expect? Just people. Some are to be admired. Some are miserable! Most are merely ordinary. So far as Miss Grey is concerned, I would class her as extraordinary—the most acceptable of all. In fact, I don't mind admitting that I truly feel more than that about her. If she'd have me, I'd marry her tomorrow!"
"You mean you'd ask her, Conrad?" said von Mueller.
"Of course!" Lauterbach looked offended.
"I would be the last to question your taste, Conrad," von Mueller said, "but if you are really in love with this girl do you think it would be altogether fair?"
"Fair?" Lauterbach almost exploded. "Fair to whom? To Helmuth? It seems to me quite obvious that he has his guns run out and his decks cleared for action. Do you want me to back down on that account?"
"Don't be an idiot, Conrad!" said von .Mueller. "I wouldn't take sides in so personal a matter if I could. But remember, the girl is English. We are German. And our countries are on the verge of war. Whether or not that happens is yet to be seen, but—"
"But? But what, Kapitan von Mueller?" The merchant officer was obviously ready to take offense. "Must we—"
Von Mueller looked resigned. "Decide? Is that for us, Kapitan Lauterbach? The situation is such that neither you nor I can do that. Nor should we involve helpless others in our country's quarrels. How matters may lie between you and Miss Grey and Herr von Muecke is a problem that only you can solve among you. I cannot give orders. I can only suggest, advise."
Lauterbach clicked his heels. "Thank you, Herr Kapitan! And what do you suggest?"
"I think it might be wise for you, Kapitan Lauterbach, to return to your ship and recall all hands who may be subject to mobilization. I would not be at all surprised at a morning call ordering you aboard the Emden, very possibly before daylight!"
Lauterbach looked startled. "Do you really believe that?"
Von Mueller nodded soberly. "I am afraid I do. In your place I would take Miss Grey back to the ship or to her hotel, or wherever she is staying, as quickly as you can, and advise her then to get away, tomorrow at the latest, to Peking or Hong Kong or Shanghai, where she will be under the protection of her own government. I am afraid that none of us have much time left in such matters,"
Lauterbach swallowed. "Thank you, Herr Kapitan," he said. "I hadn't realized matters were so—so critical."
"It is not what I would prefer—" von Mueller began. But he was interrupted by a hand on his arm. He turned to find the Governor, grim-faced, beside him.
"May I talk with you for a moment, Karl?" he asked. "In my study?"
The click of von Mueller's heels was indicative. So was his short, precise bow. It told not only of the man, but of his whole training.
"Jawohl, Herr Baron!" he replied. As he turned away, his eve caught Lauterbach's. "Bear in mind what I have said, Herr Oberleutnant." His use of Lauterbach's reserve rank, rather than that of his regular merchant title, was significant.
"I understand, Kapitan!" Lauterbach replied. "I will await orders."
"I fear they will not be long coming," said von Mueller. "I ask only that you clear your decks."
"Intuition, Kapitan?" the Governor asked as they moved away.
"Not exactly," von Mueller answered. "You forget, sir, that I also receive dispatches from Berlin."
"Then you know?"
"That it is imminent."
"That it is here!" The Governor was almost triumphant. "Russia has just issued a declaration of war against Austria. As Austria's allies we have had no choice but to declare war on Russia, and France and England, as Russia's partners, have declared war on us. The thing that we have all anticipated has finally arrived. You don't seem happy, Kapitan?"
"I can't say that I am."
"I can't understand that," said Meyer-Waldeck. "I thought war was your business."
"There you are mistaken, Herr Governor," von Mueller replied seriously. "As a naval officer it is not my place to make war. It is my work to try to prevent it. Once it comes, however, it is for me to fight it as best I can. I only feel sorry for my boys."
The Governor looked surprised.
"Sir, you must understand that every one of my men— every living individual on board my ship—is a son to me. They are my responsibility. I am answerable for all. Anything that affects them is equally my problem."
"Oh?" said the Governor. "So? Well! That's very commendable. I will mention it in my dispatches. But first I must remind you that there is a war on. We have no time for sentimentality!"
"I know," von Mueller replied. "I was just thinking of Bunte, To have this happen at just this time will be hard on him. But I don't see that we have any choice. I presume I should get all hands back on board and clear for sea?"
"Those are the orders, Karl." The Governor nodded sympathetically.
"I was afraid of it," said von Mueller. "Well! I suppose there is nothing to do but tell Bunte that his honeymoon must be postponed!"
"I'm afraid that's right, Karl," Meyer-Waldeck agreed.
"I don't suppose—" von Mueller began.
"You're his commanding officer, Karl."
"There's not even a chance of leaving him in port until we get back?" von Mueller begged. "After all, we can navigate without one man."
"I said those were the orders, Karl. All males of military age must mobilize. If he fails to respond, he risks all he has worked for—commission—everything. I wish an exception could be made. But—"
Von Mueller shook his head. "I understand, sir," he said. "I can't pretend I am happy, but I am aware that neither of us has any choice. I only hope his bride understands as well!"
"I wish you luck!" Von Meyer-Waldeck grinned wryly.
"Well you may!" said von Mueller, and went out and back to the end of the receiving line.
Bunte Lange stared into the smoky seas from the bridge of the Emden resentfully. A man and a woman should be allowed one brief moment together. When a couple was married, they should have at least a few hours of privacy, it seemed to him. God damn all authority!
But whom should he damn specifically? The Kaiser? God forbid! The Chancellor? He was only doing his job. The Captain? Of course not! He had his orders. God? That was just a round robin! The Russians? The English? The French? That was it! They started it, and now here was half the world caught up in the mess. The Germans were peaceful people. Whom had they ever antagonized? None that he had ever been told. Perhaps it would all be over soon. At least a man could hope. But if the others wanted to prolong it, he supposed, they could. After all, it took two sides to make a war!