"They overboard fell, Herr Offizier," replied the German. "They stand so, making what the Englisch sailors call 'shooting der sun.' A big wave come an' pouf!--dey are gone." Cumberleigh nodded. For the present he deemed it prudent to accept the statement, although he was aware by the comparatively easy motion that the U-boat had not encountered heavy weather. Nor had the German sailor given any explanation why the collapsible canvas boat had not been lowered to effect a rescue. "And where is Captain Fennelburt?" he asked. "There were four of us taken prisoners." A blank look overspread the Teuton's heavy features. He extended his palms in a manner that expressed complete disinterestedness. Cumberleigh pressed the point. The Hun turned and consulted his comrades. Apparently they had not taken this factor into their calculations. "I want no lies," continued Cumberleigh, who was rapidly finding his feet. "What has become of the fourth officer (he was about to prefix the word British, but somehow he checked himself) who was taken on board?" "Kapitan von Preugfeld him sent on land last night, Herr Offizier," announced the man. "For what reason?" "I do not know der plans of Kapitan von Preugfeld," explained the German. "An' he not is here to ask." This was simple, but none the less truthful logic. It was hardly conceivable that the ober-leutnant should explain his actions to a lower-deck rating. "It's jolly rummy, any old way," remarked Blenkinson. "The whole business is fishy--decidedly fishy. And I reckon that big wave yarn won't go down." Again the German strolled up, smiling and apparently unperturbed. "You know der mine-fields, Herr Offizier?" he asked. "You can take us to Zhermany?" "All I know," replied Cumberleigh pointedly, "is that there are mines--thousands of them--and that you're going straight for them. I might add that I know the course to Auldhaig. It's a jolly sight safer than barging along as you're doing." The German apparently saw the wisdom of the suggestion. He retired to consult his companions. On a Soviet-controlled ship everyone has to have a say--with conflicting and other disastrous results. Kaspar Krauss and Hans Furst vehemently opposed the suggestion, which, considering the fact that they were the ringleaders in the mutiny, was somewhat remarkable. The desire to get home overruled their fears of running against a mine. Others, fearful lest the curse be brought home to them, clamoured to be taken into a British port, bringing forward the argument that German prisoners of war in England were well treated and that no difference was made in the case of men who had served in U-boats. How long the drolly-conducted debate would have lasted remains a matter for speculation, but it was brought to an abrupt and still undecided conclusion by one of the men raising a shout and pointing astern.