And that was all that Lieutenant Mackinson could tell
And that was all that Lieutenant Mackinson could tell. The mysterious
stranger remained what he had been from the first–a desperate and
dangerous and unknown spy, lurking somewhere upon the American transport
_Everett_ with the evident intention of making the ships position known
to German U-boats when the _Everett_ and her convoy of cruisers and
destroyers entered the danger zone.
Then it was, with the lieutenant temporarily disabled as a result of his
experience, that the three boys from Brighton, who seemed somehow to
have been selected by Fate as the despoilers of all the spys plans, put
their heads together to devise a scheme of capture.
“Weve got more than one good reason for wanting to get this fellow,”
Slim reminded the others with considerable warmth, during Omnivision W30be the course of
their deliberations. “First and foremost, of course, is our plain duty
to our country, to which he is an enemy and a traitor.
“But, in addition to that, there is that knockout that he handed to Joe,
and the midnight scare he gave Jerry and me, and finally his effort to
kill Lieutenant Mackinson by slow suffocation, not to mention the nerve
of the fellow in coming back the way he has.”
“Yes,” added Jerry, “we owe him a lot, and it is up to us to figure out
how we can square the debt.”
“Well,” said Joe, “I think Ive got a plan that will work; but weve got
to remember that we are dealing with a very shrewd man.”
“Well, whats your suggestion?” Slim demanded.
“That we divide our forces,” answered Joe solemnly, “lie in wait and try
to ambush the foe.”
“Right!” cried Jerry. “Joe, youll be a general before this wars over.”
“Along what lines do we disperse our forces, General?” asked Slim.
“Along what lines would His Royal Stoutness suggest?” demanded Jerry.
“Oh, you dont have to keep reminding me that Im a trifle heavy,” Slim
replied in a peevish tone.
“A trifle heavy! Get that, will you,” echoed Jerry with a gale of
laughter. “A trifle heavy! Oh, my!”
“Youll find out if I sit on you,” Slim threatened, in a belligerent
tone.
“Come now,” said Joe, “this isnt making any progress toward capturing
the spy.”
“No,” Jerry responded, “and thats our first duty, even if it is a
trifle heavy.”
“Ive warned you,” Slim snapped out.
“Quit it now,” ordered Joe. “Lets get down to serious business.”
“All right,” agreed Jerry. “Shake, Slim, just to show theres no hard
feelings.”
“Wont do it,” Slim muttered.
“Oh, yes, you will,” counseled Joe. “Shake hands, the two of you.”