At best exercise in this narrow short passage was a farce, though it was often more agreeable to be out here than sitting in the cramped space of one of the tiny sleeping cabins. The four prisoners rested, or moved listlessly about, until the evening meal was ready. Then Captain Kennor was summoned to eat with the petty officers, while Dave and his English companions received word to join the craft's officers in the tiny wardroom. Mr. Launce glanced at Dave with a questioning look. "Really, Mr. Darrin, I would as soon starve as eat with those German officer fellows, and my wife feels as I do about it." "And my idea is the same," Dave answered. So Mr. Launce turned to the German mess servant, delivering in German a message to the effect that the three prisoners did not care to join the officers at mess. Thereupon von Schellen came out. "What is the matter?" he asked. "We don't care to eat with you, sir," Mr. Launce replied, bluntly. "Oh, very well," replied the junior officer, carelessly. "You three, then, may eat at second table after we are pleased to be through." Clicking his heels and wheeling, the junior officer went back to the wardroom. The three prisoners waited more than an hour before the same mess attendant came and beckoned them to enter. They were alone, now, save for the presence of the ober-lieutenant, who was seated at one end of the table writing. He did not look up as they entered and seated themselves. The meal set out was a coarse one, in quality of food, but there was plenty of it. The three prisoners ate slowly, almost in silence, nor did they address their host. Before the meal was over the German commander left the room without word or sign to his guests. "Why, the boat has stopped!" exclaimed Mrs. Launce, in a low voice, some three minutes later. "Are we resting on the bottom?" "I think I shall soon be able to answer you," Darrin replied. Soon machinery began to rumble. "We are on the surface," said Dave, laying down knife and fork. "We are recharging batteries." Mrs. Launce leaned forward to whisper: "Then surely there is some chance that one of our own craft will hear the racket. We may be fired upon and sunk, do you not think?" "You are eager for death?" Dave asked, studying her face. "Yes. I prefer death to being taken to Germany." "And I, too," Dave nodded. "Have they anything against you there?" Mrs. Launce whispered, after glancing about her. "Only, I believe, that I brought about the capture and execution of one of their most valuable spies." "That would be enough," whispered Mr. Launce. "For that the Germans would not openly try and execute you, but they will find other ways to bring about your death." Instantly it occurred to Darrin that, evidently, some one in official Germany knew of something to bring against Mrs. Launce, for her question to Darrin had indicated as much.