_ CHAPTER XVIII. SURIGNY'S NEXT MOVE
English and American officers join hands and one gets a remarkable message from an international plotter as the trail grows hot. In the Grand Harbor, overlooked by the town and fortress of Valetta, on the island of Malta, there lay at anchor the British dreadnaught "Albion," the cruiser "Wrexham" and the gunboat "Spite."
Less than half a mile away lay the American battleships "Hudson" and "Allegheny" and the cruiser "Newton."
It was early evening now. During the day, soon after the arrival of the American craft, the usual visits of courtesy had been exchanged between the two fleets.
Admiral Barkham, of His Majesty's Navy, received a most disagreeable shock while in conference in Admiral Timworth's quarters. In other words, he had been accurately informed of all that was so far known to the American fleet commander.
"But it is impossible," declared Admiral Barkham. "Quite impossible!"
"It would seem so," replied Admiral Timworth. "Yet the outcome will be the best proof in the matter. Sir, with your help, I propose to catch that submarine, should she appear in these waters."
"She will not appear," declared the Englishman. "I am convinced that such a thing is impossible. Only madmen would undertake to accomplish such a horrible thing. True, we have enemies who employ submarines in this war, but they do not dare to use them in attacking battleships. Nor would plotters without the backing of a government dare try it."
Then Admiral Timworth caused Ensigns Darrin and Dalzell to be summoned. They came. Admiral Barkham listened to their story, his gaze all the time fixed on their earnest faces.
It was impossible to doubt the word of two such intelligent young officers. Admiral Barkham found his doubts vanishing. He was prepared to admit that such a crime as he had heard discussed might be in course of planning.
"Of course I know the fellow Gortchky," admitted Admiral Barkham, "and also that trouble-breeder, Dalny. Yet this is something amazingly more desperate than they have ever attempted before. I now admit, sir," turning to Admiral Timworth, "that there is good reason to suppose that such a plot may be afoot."
"The 'Maine' was sunk in Havana Harbor," rejoined the American Admiral, dryly. "That incident sent two nations to war. Might not something like the 'Maine' affair be attempted here in Valetta Harbor?"
Sitting with bowed head the British admiral looked most uncomfortable.
"At all events," he said, "it is certainly a matter of duty for the officers of both fleets to be on the lookout, and for them to work in concert. Yet I still find it all but impossible to believe what my judgment tells me might be possible."
"You are going to advise the officers of your fleet, then?" asked Admiral Timworth.
"I think so," replied the Englishman slowly.
"In the American fleet," said Admiral Timworth, "very few officers will be told outside of those who are going to be charged with keeping a lookout for the submarine."
At a sign Dave and Dan withdrew, leaving the two fleet commanders in earnest conversation.
"It's hard for an Englishman to conceive of such a crime as being possible, isn't it?" asked Dan, with a melancholy grin.
"Perhaps it's to the honor of his manhood that he cannot believe in it," Dave answered gently, as the chums sat in the latter's quarters.
Dave and Dan had been excused from ship duty on account of other duties that were likely to be assigned to them at any time.
[Illustration: "Admiral Barkham listened to their story."]
Half an hour after the chums left the Admiral's quarters an orderly summoned them to Captain Allen's office.
"Both admirals are convinced," said Captain Allen, when Dave and Dan had reported, "that the crime, if it is to be attempted, will be tried at night. As there are still a few hours before dark Admiral Timworth wishes you to take one of the launches and go alongside the British flagship. There will you find three or four young British officers ready to join you. You will all go ashore in Valetta and remain there until nearly dark. You will circulate about the town, as sight-seers usually do. While ashore you will keep your eyes open for glimpses of the Gortchky-Dalny plotters and their subordinates, whom you may find there. Admiral Timworth particularly desires to know whether any of that unsavory crew have reached Malta."
The launch being ready alongside, Dave and Dan, both in uniform, went at once over the side. They were soon alongside the "Albion," and a voice from deck invited them aboard. There the officer of the deck introduced them to four young English officers. Three minutes later the party went aboard the launch, and headed toward shore.
Outside of the forts and garrison buildings the town is a small one, though at this time there were several places of amusement open on two of the principal streets.
Through these places the party strolled, seemingly bent only on having a good time.
"Have you seen any of the bally spies?" murmured one of the young English officers, Whyte by name.
"Not a sign of one," Dave answered in a low tone.
"What if they're not here?" persisted Whyte.
"It may be that none of them will show up at Malta," Darrin answered. "Or it may be that those who do come will come only on that submarine we are looking for."
"I would like to meet one of those plotters," grumbled Dorcliffe, another of the English party and the possessor of a bulky frame and broad shoulders.
"What would you do?" asked Dave smilingly.
"I believe I'd jolly well choke the breath out of him!" asserted Mr. Dorcliffe.
"That would betray the fact that we know the gang and the work that they're planning," Dave returned.
"Would it?" asked Mr. Dorcliffe, looking thoughtful. "Oh, I say! It's bally hard work to contend with such bounders. Why can't all men fight in the open?"
"Real men do," Dave answered. "The fellows we are trying to run down are not real men. Beings who can do wholesale murder for pay are bad beyond the comprehension of honest men."
"But we're not finding any one that we want to see," complained Sutton, another of the English party.
"I didn't expect to find that crew on parade," Dave replied, "and I think it extremely likely that none of them is now in Valetta or on the Island of Malta."
Then all fell silent, for the leaders of the party had turned in at one of the cafes most frequented by visitors.
There were but few people at the tables. Glancing across the room Dave felt a sudden throb of astonishment and disgust.
Hastily rising from a table was a young man who averted his face.
"There's the Count of Surigny!" whispered Dave to Whyte.
An instant later a door at the side of the room closed almost noiselessly, with the young French nobleman on the other side of it.
"Did you see that fellow?" Dave demanded, hoarsely.
"We did," came the acknowledgment of Dave's group.
"That is Surigny," Darrin informed them. "He is the fellow whom I saved from suicide at Monte Carlo, and now he is in the ranks of the men who have planned the worst crime of the twentieth century. Surigny is now where his follies have placed him--associated with the vilest creatures who disgrace the name of Man!"
The party had seated themselves at a table where beverages and refreshments are served. A tireless Italian soprano and a Russian tenor were grinding out some of the stock music of the place. Two dancers were waiting to follow them.
The naval officers looked bored. They were not in this cafe for pleasure, but strictly for business--that of national honor.
A waiter strolled leisurely into the room, looked about, then approached the table at which the American and English officers were seated. Dropping a towel at Dave's side, the waiter bent over to pick it up, at the same time slyly pressing into Dave's hand a piece of paper.
Holding it under the table and glancing at it, Dave found it carried a brief message in French. Translated, it read:
"For vital reasons, I beg you to follow the waiter, who can be trusted, and come to me at once. Come alone and secretly. Honor depends upon your compliance! S."
"Surigny!" muttered Ensign Darrin, disgustedly, under his breath. "That impossible scoundrel! He has sold himself to those plotters, and now would betray me. The wretch!"
Yet, after a moment's thought, Dave decided to see the man.
Bending over, Dave whispered to Dan the message contained in the note.
"Are you going?" quivered Dan, his eyes flashing indignation.
"Yes."
"And I?"
"You will remain here, Dan. Tell the others if you can do so without being overheard. Make my excuses after I have left you."
Then, his head erect, his heart pumping indignantly, Dave Darrin rose and sought the waiter, who lingered at the end of the room. _