Argosy, Vol. 85, No. 3 — page 127: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“IT WAS WAR.” Her job was done. In the very best conceivable fashion she had been mother- ing that brood of big, lonely, generally gloom-enshrouded marines. Now they were weaned from her—and she was weaned from them. From the beginning she had strenuously asserted that her love for the fatherland. was second to her love for her adopted land. It was at noon of the third day after we had learned of the new U-boat campaign when we heard of Washington’s conse- quent action in severing relations. The baron sent the word by the messenger who had carried it to him from the wire- less station. With it he sent a brief note of command to Rudy. There was also a curt note to Louie, which was sufficient to show us that we were now prisoners in- deed of a nation unfriendly. “ Humph!” Rudy exclaimed at reading his order. ‘So I cannot be your keeper any more. Was ist los?” “T guess this is,” Louie answered, turn- ing over the copy of the radiogram. Rudy and I read it together. “ Humph!” Rudy grunted again, his rather heavy features taking on a trou- bled expression. ‘‘ No—” he added re- flectively, dejectedly—‘“I like that not. It is—it is bad.” “Well,” Louie snapped—“I like this not. One would think that esteemed cousin of yours took it as a personal in- sult that his government has driven mine to break off relations.” Again Rudy and I read together. Ma- mie had crowded up and we parted our heads to let her see between us. Mr. Louis E. HARTMANN, U. S. P. S. Yacut, Louisa II. SIR: I regret that business and circumstances will prevent my lunching aboard your vessel to-day. May I trouble you to permit my men to get from aboard the portion of the victuals which I and my officers would have eaten. At my earliest possible convenience I shall arrange for the transfer of the sup- plies from your storage plant that there may be no unnecessary occasion for fric- tion between my soldiers and your crew. I trust that you will suffer no incon- 469 venience in remaining strictly aboard your vessel pending further arrangements. In doing so, you will assist me in protecting your persons and property from any possi- ble difficulties. Awaiting any different in- structions from my superiors, I shall, of course, take all possible means to leave you unmolested in your present quarters, and to afford you the fullest protection at my command. With best wishes for your comfort and well-being, I beg to sign myself, esteemed sur, most - respectfully yours, HENRY VON HILBERSTEIN, LiEvT. It was. Rudy who first pronounced upon this document. No doubt he understood better than we the difference between an essentially official communication and the possibilities of personal intercourse. But— “He still plays that United States Power Squadron note,” was Rudy’s criti- cism. “I don’t like that neither.” Before we could quite grasp the signifi- cance of his words, he turned. ‘Well, it comes my relief. I must say ‘ Auf-Wiedersehn.’ Come, Mamie. We go by the electric tower again.” _ His friendly blue eyes blinked as he turned to the gang-plank. Once on the pier, he croaked a couple of commands. His six men came stiffly together. Six other men, headed by an officer in uniform similar to Rudy’s, marched out from the always busy shore end of the pier. They paused, saluted and were sa- luted. Rudy and his men marched stem ly shoreward. The new six took up their places which divided the length of the yacht into tiny beats. Neither of us recalled having seen before either the new corporal or any of his little guard. The men who came shortly after with trays on which to carry off the lunch for the officers might as well have saved their scrupulous care to leave a plenty for our- selves. Louie and I were in no mood for eating. We were in no humor for talking. We had nothing to talk about. Every- body in America had long since taken for granted that the breaking of diplomatic relations would be almost instantly fol- lowed by hostilities. Neither of us could comicloool C©