"Suppose there was a spy on shore who signalled to the Zeppelin that the Zeppelin without coming ru the bay signalled to the submarines, I persevered, for instance, sir," responded the admiral, "someone had a searchlight...
Then we went on board the Iron Duke, and all the morning we were locked in conference on the many grave matters which had to be discussed with Sir John Jellicoe and his Admirals, nor was it until we lunched on board the Flagship that anything like ordinary conversation was possible.
Then someone started the topic of the searchlight 40 miles inland on the top of what looked like a shooting-lodge in the middle of a deer forest.
"We have seen a very suspicious thing this morning," I said only half seriously to the Commander-in-Chief. "What do you think of it yourself "Whereabouts was it?
My companions explained the general position. The Commander-in-Chief paused and reflected before he answered, then he said:
"There might be something in it We have heard several bad rumours about that place.
"We have bad a report that an aeroplane had an accident there before the War, and also that one has been seen in the neighbourhood since which we were not able to trace.
Anyhow," he added, "what do they want a searchlight for I said to the Director of Intelligence: "You are a properly-constituted authority under the Defence of the Realm Act, are you not?
"You mean, sir," he replied, "that we might go and look them up ourselves on the way back."
"If we have half an hour to spare," I answered, "we might just as well out what the searchlight is It was dark when our conferences were finished, but before leaving we requisitioned four pistols from the armoury of the Iron Duke and put them under the seat of the car.
The butler departed and we pushed into the hall.
There was a pause, and presently ihe dining-room door opened and a clatter of conversation suddenly still.
ed, and out came.a ruddy gre; headed gentleman.
"Have you got a'searchlight. on the top. of your tower asked the-Admiral.
I was startled at the admission which followed.
"Yes, we have a searchlight on the towel "When did you put it up?"
"Some time ago, two or three years ayo, I think.
"What did you put it up for 2"
There was a strained silence, end then the old gentleman replied, "We use it to locate the game on the hillsides.
"From the tower we can see several of the beats, and the searchlight gleams on the eyes of the deer, and shows us where they are lying, so we know where to send the stalkers in the morning."
"These improbabilities and impossibilities confirmed my deepest suspicions, and I think those of my companions, We made no comment pon them.
"We wish to see the searchlight," I said. "We wish you to show it to us yourself.
"Certainly," replied our unwilling host. "You will have to climb up the spiral staircase of the tower."
"You go ahead," we answered.
He opened a door leading out of the hall and disclosed the first steps of a stone staircase.
We made a military disposition to guard against foul play. The Naval Secretary remained at the bottom of the stairs, and the Admiral, the Commodore, and 1 followed the old gentleman up their winding course.
At any rate we had a hostage, we had a stronghold and, outside the gate, we had a connecting link with unlimited reinforcements.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.