A Record of Secret Service Recently Achieved
Preface I. The Letter II. The _Dulcibella_ III. Davies IV. Retrospect V. Wanted, a North Wind VI. Schlei Fiord VII. The Missing Page VIII. The Theory IX. I Sign Articles X. His Chance XI. The Pathfinders XII. My Initiation XIII. The Meaning of our Work XIV. The First Night in the Islands XV. Bensersiel XVI. Commander von Brüning XVII. Clearing the Air XVIII. Imperial Escort XIX. The Rubicon XX. The Little Drab Book XXI. Blindfold to Memmert XXII. The Quartette XXIII. A Change of Tactics XXIV. Finesse XXV. I Double Back XXVI. The Seven Siels XXVII. The Luck of the Stowaway XXVIII. We Achieve our Double Aim Epilogue Postscript (March 1903)
Map A—General Map Chart A—Chart to Illustrate the Stranding of the _Dulcibella,_ etc. Map B—Map of East Friesland Chart B—Chart of Juist, Memmert, and Part of Norderney Sketch—Memmert Salvage Depot
A word about the origin and authorship of this book.
In October last (1902), my friend “Carruthers” visited me in my chambers, and, under a provisional pledge of secrecy, told me frankly the whole of the adventure described in these pages. Till then I had only known as much as the rest of his friends, namely, that he had recently undergone experiences during a yachting cruise with a certain Mr “Davies” which had left a deep mark on his character and habits.
At the end of his narrative—which, from its bearing on studies and speculations of my own, as well as from its intrinsic interest and racy delivery, made a very deep impression on me—he added that the important facts discovered in the course of the cruise had, without a moment’s delay, been communicated to the proper authorities, who, after some dignified incredulity, due in part, perhaps, to the pitiful inadequacy of their own secret service, had, he believed, made use of them, to avert a great national danger. I say “he believed”, for though it was beyond question that the danger was averted for the time, it was doubtful whether they had stirred a foot to combat it, the secret discovered being of such a nature that mere suspicion of it on this side was likely to destroy its efficacy.
There, however that may be, the matter rested for a while, as, for personal reasons which will be manifest to the reader, he and Mr “Davies” expressly wished it to rest.