Again there was nothing to elicit suspicion, but as Kenneth passed along the main deck he saw something covered by a tarpaulin. Lifting one comer, there was what appeared to be a huge pile of evergreens. "What's that for?" he inquired. "It's rather too early for Christmas." "Ja, Herr Kapitan," agreed the German. "Dese are for--how you call it?--Ach, I haf it: wreaths. It is a Zherman officer that vos died, an' dese are tribute from der Vaderland." "Then he must be deeply lamented," thought Kenneth, as he moved on. Then, filled with well-grounded suspicion, he stopped abruptly. "Just shift those things," he ordered, addressing the two members of the M.L.'s crew. "It would be well to see if anything's underneath, although Fritz would, I take it, choose a craftier hiding-place." The men obeyed, the German officer making no protest. They were genuine evergreens, and on plucking a leaf Kenneth found that the sap was still fresh. "All right. Put them back and carry on," he ordered. Meanwhile, Karl von Preussen--spy, ex-officer of the Prussian Guards, and now wearing a naval uniform--was holding Cumberleigh in conversation. "Ah, good morning, Cumberleigh," he exclaimed with all the assurance possible, and extended his right hand. "Delighted to see you again." "For what reason?" asked the R.A.F. captain, ignoring the Hun's hand. "It is good to meet old acquaintances," continued the unabashed German. "Now the war is over we must be friends, and get back to our old footing. I, for example, am looking forward to visiting London again, but in a different capacity than on the last occasion." "Might I remind you that the war is not yet over," said Cumberleigh coldly. "Practically so," protested von Preussen. "So let bygones be bygones. I myself bear you no animosity for knocking me down on Wick pier. It was an unfortunate mistake for me to have been there. I ought to have known better. But on the other hand I thank you for your excellent entertainment at the mess at Auldhaig. The lunch was splendid, but I am afraid I cannot say the same for your entertainment of me on the fishing expedition. It caused me a considerable amount of inconvenience." "And more to me," added Cumberleigh. "By the by, what are you doing on board?" "I am following a temporary post as assistant secretary to Admiral von Reuter," explained von Preussen without hesitation. "It is mainly on account of my knowledge of England and the English. I am sorry you are so stand-offish, Captain Cumberleigh. It is hardly the way to treat a man who has worn the same uniform as yourself. Remember me to Jefferson, Pyecroft and Blenkinson, also other old acquaintances at Auldhaig, if you should come across them. There is some one else I should like to send a message to--a Mr. Entwistle. I believe you have met him. Well, I see your friend has completed his examination of the _Hohenhoorn_, so we must part. Until our next meeting!"