"The British cruiser which was mined early in the war?" He nodded. "Perfectly," I said. "You never at any time came across her captain? His name was Ashington." "No," I said, "I have met very few British officers." "I don't know whether you heard that she was supposed to be two miles out of her proper course, contrary to orders, did you?" "Was she?" "Ashington says 'no.' But he was court-martialled, and now he's in command of a small boat--the _Yellowhammer_. Before the loss of his ship he was considered one of the most promising officers in the British service; now----!" Tiel made an expressive gesture and his eyes smiled at me oddly. I began to understand. "Now he is an acquaintance of yours?" Tiel nodded. "But has he knowledge? Has he special information?" "His younger brother is on the flagship, and he has several very influential friends. I see that _my_ friends obtain knowledge." I looked at him hard. "You are _quite_ sure this is all right? Such men are the last to be trusted--even by those who pay them." "Do you know many 'such men'?" he inquired. "None, I am thankful to say." "They are queer fish," said Tiel in a reminiscent way, "but they generally do the thing pretty thoroughly, especially when one has a firm enough hold of them. Ashington is absolutely reliable." "Where is he to be seen?" "He went out for a walk this afternoon," said Tiel drily, "and happened to call at the manse to see if he could get a cup of tea--a very natural thing to do. Come--the coast is clear." He led the way downstairs and I followed him, not a little excited, I confess. How my mission was going to develop, I had no clear idea when I set forth upon it, but though I had imagined several possible developments, I was not quite prepared for this. To have an officer of the Grand Fleet actually assisting at our councils was decidedly unexpected. I began to realise more and more that Adolph Tiel was a remarkable person. In the front parlour an officer rose as we entered, and the British and German uniforms bowed to each other under circumstances which were possibly unique. Because, though Ashingtons do exist and these things sometimes happen, they generally happen in mufti. I looked at our visitor very hard. On his part, he looked at me sharply for a moment, and then averted his eyes. I should certainly have done the same in his place. He was a big burly man, dark, and getting bald. His voice was deep and rich; his skin shone with physical fitness; altogether he was a fine gross animal, and had his spirit been as frank and jovial as his appearance suggested, I could have pictured him the jolliest of company in the ward-room and the life and soul of a desperate enterprise. But he maintained a frowning aspect, and was clearly a man whose sullen temper and sense of injury had led him into my friend's subtle net. However, here he was, and it was manifestly my business not to criticise but to make the most of him.