He was beginning to realize that his latest bit of dirty work--one of many pet schemes--had been a wash-out. The boat containing Strauss and three of the crew had not returned. He didn't mind losing the men overmuch, but he regretted his decision to send Siegfried Strauss in command of the submarine mining expedition; not that he had any affection for Strauss, but because Strauss was a capable navigator and he was not. And it was a long, long voyage back to the Fatherland. After taking several turns up and down the deck, von Giespert went for'ard, descended the steep ladder to the fo'c'sle, and thence to the store-room, where for quite a considerable time he stood pensively contemplating the for'ard water-tight bulkhead of No. 1 hold. Then he bawled to one of the men to pass the word for the carpenter. That individual arrived at the double, rather breathless and perspiring freely not solely on account of the heat, but in anticipation of a scene with his employer. "I want you," ordered von Giespert, "to shore up this bulkhead from the other side. Use every available baulk of timber. If you want more, send a party ashore to fell some trees. I want the job done quickly and properly." Had von Giespert told the carpenter to construct a ladder long enough to reach the moon, or given him similar impossible instructions, the latter's surprise would hardly have been greater. The bulkhead of No. 1 hold was of massive construction, and its condition was as good as the day when the ship was launched. "It will take a day and a half, Herr Kapitan," replied the carpenter, in reply to his employer's question as to the length of the task involved. "Then have it done," snapped von Giespert, and hied him to interview the chief engineer in his cabin. "I want steam raised the day after to-morrow," he said. "We're sailing at noon. What's the working-pressure of the boilers?" The engineer told him. "No more?" asked von Giespert. "I might raise another two atmospheres, Herr Kapitan," replied the chief dubiously. "The boilers wouldn't stand that for long." "They'll have to stand it for an hour," declared von Giespert. "An hour will be enough for my purpose. I will give you ample warning when I require the additional pressure." His latest project was to sail for Nua Leha, arriving at dawn. If, as he expected, the _Zug_ were sighted by the look-out of the _Titania_, he would hoist urgent signals--the international NV, signifying "short of provisions". He would then make out that the _Zug_ intended to anchor within a cable's length of her rival, and, suddenly increasing speed and putting her helm hard-a-port, ram the _Titania_ full on her beam. And, since he still required the _Zug_ to get him home, the reason for the shoring up of the for'ard watertight bulkhead was apparent. But at all costs there must be no survivors from the _Titania_.