The Dark Star

"Turkish fortifications?"

"Yes--plans for them."

The captain glanced instinctively at the box beside Neeland's chair,

but his features remained incurious.

"Turkey is supposed to be the ally of Germany," he said.

"I've heard so. I know that the Turkish army is under German officers.

But--if war should happen, is it likely that this ramshackle nation

which was fought to a standstill by the Balkan Alliance only a few

months ago would be likely to take active sides?"

"Mr. Neeland, it is not only likely, it is absolutely certain."

"You believe Germany would count on her?"

"There is not a doubt of it. Enver Pasha holds the country in his

right hand; Enver Pasha is the Kaiser's jackal."

"But Turkey is a beaten, discredited nation. She has no modern guns.

Her fleet is rusting in the Bosporus."

"The Dardanelles bristle with Krupp cannon, Mr. Neeland, manned by

German gunners. Von der Goltz Pasha has made of a brave people a

splendid army. As for ships, the ironclads and gunboats off Seraglio

Point are rusting at anchor, as you say; but there are today enough

German and Austrian armored ships within running distance of the

Dardanelles to make for Turkey a powerful defensive squadron. Didn't

you know any of these facts?"

"No."

"Well, they are facts.... You see, Mr. Neeland, we English sailors

of the merchant marine are also part of the naval reserve. And we are

supposed to know these things."

Neeland was silent.

"Mr. Neeland," he said, "in case of war between the various powers of

Europe as aligned today, where do you imagine your sympathy would

lie--and the sympathies of America?"

"Both with France and England," said Neeland bluntly.

"You think so?"

"Yes, I do--unless they are the aggressors."

The captain nodded: "I feel rather that way myself. I feel very sure of the friendliness

of your country. Because of course we--France and England--never would

dream of attacking the Central Powers unless first assailed." He

smiled, nodded toward the box on the floor: "Don't you think, Mr.

Neeland, that it might be safer to entrust those--that box, I mean--to

the captain of the Royal Mail steamer, Volhynia?"

"Yes, I do," said Neeland quietly.

"And--about these spies. Do you happen to entertain any particular

suspicions concerning any of the passengers on my ship?" urged the

captain.

"Indeed, I entertain lively suspicions, and even a few certainties,"

replied the young fellow, laughing.