"He is about the same build, sir," he said, turning to Lord Hastings. Lord Hastings confronted the sailor. "Your name?" he demanded. "Thompson, sir," was the reply, and the man let fall his arms, which he had kept above his head when he entered. Immediately Frank's revolver flashed forth. "Hands up there, Thompson," he said quietly. Plainly frightened, Thompson obeyed. "How long have you been in the service?" demanded Lord Hastings. "Ten years, sir." "Ever known by any other name?" "No, sir." "Are you of German descent?" "There is not a drop of German blood in me, so far as I know, sir." "Do you speak German?" "A little, sir." Lord Hastings looked at the man closely, and demanded suddenly: "What is the matter with your hand?" "I was helping Smith in the engine room, sir, and a heavy block fell on it, sir." "Let me see it." Slowly the sailor unwrapped the bandage and exposed his hand. It was very red across the top, and Frank, glancing at it, believed that the mark could have well been caused by the blow of a revolver butt. "I should say he is the man, sir," he said quietly to Lord Hastings. "It would seem so," was his commander's reply, "still we must be positive." He turned again to the sailor. "Is it not true," he asked, "that only a few moments ago you attacked Mr. Chadwick, and that your wounded hand is the result of a blow from his revolver?" The sailor looked at his commander in surprise, that seemed genuine enough. "No, sir," he replied quietly. "Then you deny you are a German spy?" asked Lord Hastings. The sailor started back, and his face turned red. "A spy, sir!" he cried. "Me a spy? Why if there is one country under the sun for which I would not turn a hand, it is Germany." "Circumstances are much against you, in spite of your protestations of innocence," said Lord Hastings gravely. "But Smith, the engineer, can vouch for me, sir, and so can Black, who was in the engine room when I injured my hand. Call them, sir." "Well, I'll call them," said Lord Hastings, "but I doubt if it will do any good." At a command from Lord Hastings the engineer and a sailor named Black were sent into the room. Lord Hastings turned to the engineer. "Were you in the engine room when Thompson injured his hand?" he asked. Smith shifted uneasily from one foot to the other. "Yes, sir," he replied at length. "He says that a block fell on his hand. Is that true?" "Well, sir, I--I----" stammered Smith. "Come, sir, this is a serious matter," said Lord Hastings sternly. "No, sir, it isn't true," said Smith. "He----" "That is enough," said Lord Hastings. He turned to Black. "Thompson says you were there. Is it true that a block fell on his hand?" "No, sir," said Black. "He----" "That's enough," said Lord Hastings again. "It looks to me as if you were guilty." "If you please, sir," said Thompson quietly, "will you allow me to ask Smith and Black one question?" Lord Hastings nodded his head in assent.