I call up Krapohl and point out to him my calculations. We have another good look through the glasses, compare maps; they agree. The fellow is following no route whatever. In the meanwhile we had approached near enough to make the steamer out distinctly. The twilight of the June evening is so clear and bright that we can observe her with the greatest accuracy. She is a fine steamer of medium size, and carries a neutral flag, while her hull is painted in the colours of her country. In the middle of the hull is a long double name which we cannot, however, read. Suddenly Krapohl cries: "Good heavens! how is it that she is flying her flag so long after sunset? Is it mere chance, I wonder? And what does that extraordinary coat of paint on her hull signify? She is a suspicious looking craft." I am forced to agree with him. The apparently aimless course of the steamer fills me with amazement. It is not usual to take a sea-trip on the North Sea for amusement in the middle of this world-war! We consider what is to be done. As yet the steamer has not sighted us; she continues her mysterious course, and by this time lies a little astern of us. I decide nevertheless not to submerge, as our courses must soon diverge. Suddenly the steamer makes a rapid turn and comes straight towards us. Now we can see that the sturdy neutral has swung out her boats; obviously with intent to make more complete her character of a peaceful merchantman, is ready and prepared to follow all commands. This remarkable civility on her part is quite sufficient for us. I send all the crew below deck and give the alarm at once. We make ready to submerge, and in doing so move towards the steamer in order to lie broadside on to the sea, which makes diving easier. Then, to our great amazement, the following incident occurs. Hardly has the "neutral" ship observed our movements and noticed that we are submerging, than she twists round with a jerk. As we submerge we can still watch her as she wends her characteristic zigzag course, puffing out thick clouds of smoke behind her. This confession of a bad conscience struck us profoundly. Never have we laughed so heartily as over the flight of this honest merchantman with her unknown course. The artful dodger thought she was found out, and feared any moment we might send a torpedo into her ribs. And how furious she must have been! It would have been so fine to approach quite near to the "pest" in the character of neutral ship, and then at a safe distance to let the mask of "harmlessness" drop, and shoot through the port-holes. The trap was so beautifully laid. The German "pirate" had only to go just a little nearer. Instead we described a curve under water, and only rose to the surface again two hours later.