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.
