The Men Who Wrought

atening to the mariner as the mounting hillocks of storm-swept water; a dull sense of hopelessness prevailing upon the still air

entrance to the heart of the island, somewhere away in the distan

he support of the periscope, the conning-tower, and the entrance to the interior of the vessel. Dotted about the deck were seve

air with twin flags, one in each hand. The other stood by contemplating the book in

the signal

e said, reciting the combination of numerals

plied the observer, in a similar, ill-spoken tongue.

g insulated "flex," and spoke over it. A moment later the throb of engines made itself felt,

nd itself became engulfed in the grey threat lying between the overshadowin

, if such were their orders. But they would avoid, with all their skill, the pitfalls by the way. They knew that the secrets of this gloomy abode were many, as many perhaps as those of the very Hades they would have been willing en

to the naked eye, and the white line of heavy surf boomed and boomed again in its incessant attack upon the grim walls. Higher up

aced towards them. It had a high, protected prow, and its great speed threw up a pair of huge white wings of water till it had something of the appeara

ief conversation with those on board the intruder. Then their vessel passe

ed pinched between them. For a mile and more ahead there was no change. The narrow passage, with its racing tide, was

l mists the atmosphere took on a yellow tint, which suggested an

pilot boat dropped astern. Its work was fin

a change for the better. It was only that Nature, having done

hand, carrying the shore with them, and merged into a mist-crowned hinterland of dark woods and wide ravines, with a wide-str

state, man's hand had contrived to destroy it. The whole prospect was sordid, uncouth, and suggested something of a nether world of lugubrious fancy. All that could be said for it was the suggestion of feverish in

ggested only the barest necessity. And though their hundreds of floors sheltered thousands of human workers, and acres of elaborate machinery, not even a cornice, or coping, or variation of brickwork had been permitted to make sightly a structure purely for utilitarian purposes. The slipways at the water's edge, and t

been not without effect. Those cavernous worlds of incessant clamor rolled the hours and days away, and took no count but of the output from their soulless wombs. The homes of the deep-noted steam hammers, and the fierce puddling furnaces, where men, bare to the skin except for a loin-cloth, with greased bodies, endure under showers of flying sparks and a heat which no other living creature would face. These s

completed for her. Borga was repellent. Its li

ompared to a capital city. Borga was the mechanical soul of an empire. It was the iron heart of an armored giant, upon

urpose. It was obviously the official landing-place. However, if the channel remained clear it was lined on either side by a swarm of naval craft, much of wh

give undivided attention to their work. So the boat glided silently in between the pierh

nislaus von Hertzwohl led the way, followed by a younger man, whose face was full of a keen intelligence, while his dark eyes were those of a

fficer in the work of the place. Therefore, with a cold acknowledgment of the salute of the junior officers, he passed them by and s

d him with a cold s

en out the muddles of Borga when our time can be ill spared from our workshops. Let me present my nephew, who is respo

tion, and their eyes met in a steady,

Come, we will go at once. You can dismiss your ceremonial," he went on, indicating the group of officers. "I have no time for that. I am an

his genius to be the most powerful influence in the country at the moment. "But I think the fault is not

with irritation. "Then do not

h other. His uncle's manner was something of a surprise to him. Nor could he help but realize the other

s bristling moustache, was square and strong. His whole appearance, in his brilliant uniform, was of cubist inspiration, and, in spite of his high rank, and the suggestion of grey about the templ

He had taken the nephew's measure to the last inch of his great height. Such observation was his habit as well as his duty. His position in the world's

railway. They skirted piles of debris almost as high as some of the adjoining buildings.

e is the system for which we Germans are noted? It is gone, with many other things, since the war. We think so hard for the downfall of our enemies tha

laughed in h

y system which was so great we wasted much money and many years, for our enemies achieved almost all which

some acerbity. "You will understand

ency," defer

nto contact with his daughter Valita von Hertzwohl in the work of the Secret Service. It had fallen to his lot to endeavor to utilize her in his country's service. That his efforts had failed was not his only disaster, for, failing to enlist her co?peration, he had achieved her displeasure w

nd in his effort to pay deferential attention to his visitor's incessant complaint. An overwhelming clanging of machinery, intensified

ight with a keen interest, an interest almost excited, as the wonders of the place revealed themselves to him. But the works and their busy life had less effect than other things. His whole mind seemed to be absor

was so huge. It was heavily armored, as it lay there in light draught, high out of water, and on its deck, in place of the simple conning-tower and surmounting periscope, there was a central armored turret, while, fore and aft of this, two other turrets bri

Governor promptly diverted his attention. It almost seemed that he had no desire to invite Captain-General von Salz

trance. Immediately he became absorbed in the German characters of the large printed notice on the gates.

interest to wander. He watched the square figure of the military governor as he took the sentry's salute. He observed the junior officer who promptly

sides was a submarine dreadnought of even greater dim

ce turne

s, the secret of which the world will never know, but the

en, as Leder von Bersac grunted out some unintelligible acq

l day. He will work in his light-rooms till he is nearly blind. All for the destruction of our enemies. But joy? He does no

urious eyes. But he offered no comment, and the Prince hurried

ing-tower he paused. His whole manner ab

r and brains of mud." Then he turned upon Von Salzinger in a manner that permitted no doubt of his purpose. "You doubtless have more pressing duties, Herr Captain-General. Please do not consider us. Our work is technical, and will have but

, Von Salzinger, might dismiss one of his junior officers, was infinitely galling. But even more intensely galling was the thought that this boor of a nephew could cal

from the lips of the All High War Lord. He bowed a short, square, resentful bow and stood aside to allow Von Bersac

gnity of the inquisitorial process of his officials. And he knew how unpleasant their efforts could be made. He promised himself this trifling satisfaction, at least-when

companionway, and passed out of the docks. Nor did he neglect to give the necessary orde

, past the maze of machinery which formed the bowels of the dreadnought. At the extreme peak o

ity of their visitors, and the work of examining the mech

as addressed to his nephew as though he were the final authority. Von Bersac remained the unenthusiastic creature he had appeared before Von Salzinger, and kept to his attitude of disjointed grunts. But his eyes were alert and apparently comprehending,

these good fellows. It is yours-yours and mine

silently

hese, these,"-he laid his hands on two portions of the delicate mechanism enclosed in polished brass cylinders, through which the insulated cables passed-"we will take these with us. They can be trusted in no other hands." He turned to the chief engineer. "Take these out without delay.

d, and Leder von Bersac remained whil

cylinders. But the men worked with great care, for they knew that in those two simple brass casings lay the vital secrets which

he two brass cylinders in his arms, and received the salutes of the sentries. He remembered

k gates an expression of doubt crept into his eyes, as he caught sight of a military of

or ahead. But the man was rapidly overhauling him, and, in Von Bersac's mind, a calculation wa

tion. He knew he would be intercepted before he reached

to the landing-stage the offic

his manner was perfectly defe

rters before leaving? The Captain-General requests that he will make it con

ity of the military governor in the whole swaggering pose of the man, and, for a moment, his firm lips tightened. Then, a

or me to deposit these in our vessel-in safety-before I do so." He indicated the cylinders. "You will understand when I assur

a slight change. His manner

re-at once,"

he same, but his dark eyes loo

Hertzwohl, will exonerate you for the brie

y and made his decision with lightning celerity. He knew that h

ce's name had created a modified atmosphere. After all he was a mere Prussian officer accustomed all his life to yielding to authority.

reatest pleasure to-ac