Three days before sighting the _Nichi Maru_ the _Pelikan_ had been stopped and examined by a British cruiser. The boarding-officer knew neither German nor Dutch, and conversation had to be conducted in English. The ship's papers were apparently in order. The British lieutenant failed to pay sufficient attention to the bulky deck-gear that concealed the raider's quick-firers; nor did he discover that, hidden between double bulkheads abaft the engine-room, two torpedo-tubes, removed from the _Karlsruhe_, were ready for instant use should occasion arise. The cruiser had, indeed, a very narrow escape of sharing the fate of a British battleship that was torpedoed in the Channel on a dark and stormy night, the deadly missile being launched from a vessel sailing under the Dutch flag. Only Kapitan von Riesser's doubts as to the immediate success of a torpedo attack prevented him putting his treacherous design into effect. A stricken cruiser, he knew, could use her guns with tremendous results, and he had no wish to lay down his life for the Fatherland while an easier course lay open to him. Accordingly the boarding officer, with many apologies for having detained a neutral vessel, returned to the cruiser, which immediately steamed northwards, while the _Pelikan_ proceeded on her course. Having assumed that the British cruiser was well out of her way, the raider began to send out wireless calls, limiting the radius of action to about fifty miles. She did not call in vain, for the _Nichi Maru_, picking up the appeal for aid, hastened to the _Pelikan's_ assistance and, all unsuspecting, fell a victim to her captor. During the "round-up" of the passengers, Kapitan von Riesser had been informed by signal of the presence of three British naval officers on board the _Nichi Maru_, and instructions were asked as to their disposal. The kapitan resolved the problem in his mind. He could not murder the prisoners without the news being conveyed by the rest of the passengers of the Japanese liner. If they were brought on board the _Pelikan_, they would be a source of danger should the ship again be overhauled by a patrolling cruiser, unless---- He consulted the ship's surgeon. Apparently the latter's advice was satisfactory. In addition, should the _Pelikan_ arrive at Dar es Salaam with three British naval officers on board as prisoners, well and good. If, on the other hand, the vessel were captured on the high seas, the prisoners would no doubt be willing to testify to the fact that Kapitan von Riesser had committed no unpardonable breach of the usages of war. From which it will be seen that von Riesser was always considering how to save his own skin in the event of capture. "Up--at once!" ordered the unter-leutnant as the boat containing Denbigh and his companions ran alongside the lowered accommodation-ladder of the _Pelikan_. The German did not hesitate to show his arrogance; but he was severely snubbed by his kapitan.