Jack understood the question, and replied:
"What is your nationality?" came the question in English.
"No, for the Transatlantic Shipping Combine."
There followed a short pause. Jack was wondering what next to expect. The questions had been brief and propounded in a crisp, commanding way. There was no leeway for equivocation.
"Because I believe in it," said Jack simply.
"Under what circumstances did you first meet Herr Radwig?"
Jack, greatly surprised, hesitated. Would it be wise to tell everything? How under the sun did this man in the gray mask know so much?
Jack thought quickly. The question implied that this officer had some knowledge of his dealings with Radwig. Possibly, also, the officer was about to test the value of his declaration that he told the truth. So Jack figured. But was this not an amazing illustration of the wonderful efficiency and thoroughness of the German Secret Service.
"Very well," replied Jack calmly. "It was on the _Kronprinzessin Emilie_. It seemed that we were about to be dashed to pieces on floating icebergs. Some shrieked:
"'The boats!' shouted a man. He violently pushed two women aside, wedged in the panic-stricken throng. I stood at the head of the companion way. The man told me to get out of the way. I tried to calm the people. But this man seemed to have lost his reason. He rushed at me, trying to strike me. I was too quick for him. I struck first. He staggered back, subdued. It was only later that I learned this man's name."
"And then--how and when did you meet Herr Radwig?"
So Jack had to relate incident after incident. Always, at the end of a recital, came the same question, asked in the same matter-of-fact tone of voice:
"And then--when and where did you meet Herr Radwig?"
Everything must have its end. At last Jack had modestly related every episode with which the reader has been made acquainted. The even tone of his questioner, his piercing eyes, and the unbroken silence was beginning to weary Jack. He felt that he could hardly keep his wits about him.
Evidently the German officer noticed these signs and was patiently waiting for them. He leaned forward, and the steady monotone now gave place to a rasping, menacing gruffness.
"Why should you be proud of something you could not help?"