As we
steamed up alongside a sentry hailed us from the deck. I shouted that
I had come to see the Captain, but he told us to stand off. Finally,
after persistently hailing the warship, the officer of the watch came
to the rail and held parley with me.
"I have Imperial orders to see the Captain," I shouted.
Apparently this satisfied him, for he let me come on board. Without
further delay I was shown into the Captain's room. Very important,
the Captain. Picture him, a man in the forties, straight-backed,
rather jolly, and with one of those German naval beards. The
slightest mistake by the Captain of the _Panther_ and England and
France would have flung themselves into war with Germany. He stood
for a moment regarding me, then he said,
"Well, what is this? What is your Wilhelmstrasse number?"
"Seventeen," I told him.
That appeared to satisfy the Captain. I knew that the Wilhelmstrasse
had wired him that "Number Seventeen" was coming. Still he was
careful.
"Where were your first instructions received?"
"From Wedel."
"Subsequently?"
I felt him looking at me sharply.
"Confirmed by the Emperor," I replied, "and I deliver you herewith the
following message. You are requested to use the private service code
as soon as I have delivered this message to you and repeat it at once
direct to Count Wedel."
The Captain got up and, moving noiselessly to the door, opened it
swiftly.
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