Today | News | Books | Recipes Adventure | Science Fiction | Ghost stories | Poetry | Children | History The Riddle of the SandsThe Project Gutenberg eBook of The Riddle of the Sands This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook. Title: The Riddle of the Sands Author: Erskine Childers Release date: October 1, 2000 [eBook #2360] Most recently updated: October 28, 2023 Language: English Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2360 *** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RIDDLE OF THE SANDS *** [Illustration] The Riddle of the Sands A Record of Secret Service Recently Achieved Edited by Erskine Childers (1870-1922) [Illustration: General Map, A] Contents 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) Maps and Charts 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 Preface 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. But events were driving them to reconsider their decision. These seemed to show that the information wrung with such peril and labour from the German Government, and transmitted so promptly to our own, had had none but the most transitory influence on our policy. Forced to the conclusion that the national security was really being neglected, the two friends now had a mind to make their story public; and it was about this that "Carruthers" wished for my advice. The great drawback was that an Englishman, bearing an honoured name, was disgracefully implicated, and that unless infinite delicacy were used, innocent persons, and, especially, a young lady, would suffer pain and indignity, if his identity were known. Indeed, troublesome rumours, containing a grain of truth and a mass of falsehood, were already afloat. After weighing both sides of the question, I gave my vote emphatically for publication. The personal drawbacks could, I thought, with tact be neutralised; while, from the public point of view, nothing but good could come from submitting the case to the common sense of the country at large. Publication, therefore, was agreed upon, and the next point was the form it should take. "Carruthers", with the concurrence of Mr "Davies", was for a bald exposition of the essential facts, stripped of their warm human envelope. I was strongly against this course, first, because it would aggravate instead of allaying the rumours that were current; secondly, because in such a form the narrative would not carry conviction, and would thus defeat its own end. The persons and the events were indissolubly connected; to evade, abridge, suppress, would be to convey to the reader the idea of a concocted hoax. Indeed, I took bolder ground still, urging that the story should be made as explicit and circumstantial as possible, frankly and honestly for the purpose of entertaining and so of attracting a wide circle of readers. Even anonymity was undesirable. Nevertheless, certain precautions were imperatively needed. To cut the matter short, they asked for my assistance and received it at once. It was arranged that I should edit the book; that "Carruthers" should give me his diary and recount to me in fuller detail and from his own point of view all the phases of the "quest", as they used to call it; that Mr "Davies" should meet me with his charts and maps and do the same; and that the whole story should be written, as from the mouth of the former, with its humours and errors, its light and its dark side, just as it happened; with the following few limitations. The year it belongs to is disguised; the names of persons are throughout fictitious; and, at my instance certain slight liberties have been taken to conceal the identity of the English characters. Remember, also that these persons are living now in the midst of us, and if you find one topic touched on with a light and hesitating pen, do not blame the Editor, who, whether they are known or not, would rather say too little than say a word that might savour of impertinence. E. C. _March_, 1903 NOTE The maps and charts are based on British and German Admiralty charts, with irrelevant details omitted. CHAPTER I. The Letter I have read of men who, when forced by their calling to live for long periods in utter solitude-save for a few black faces-have made it a rule to dress regularly for dinner in order to maintain their self-respect and prevent a relapse into barbarism. It was in some such spirit, with an added touch of self-consciousness, that, at seven o'clock in the evening of September 23 in a recent year, I was making my evening toilet in my chambers in Pall Mall. I thought the date and the place justified the p |