The Stolen Document
:
The Coming Conquest Of England
The last ordinary train to Antwerp had gone long before Heideck reached
the station. But a short interview with the railway commissioner
sufficed, and an engine was at once placed at the Major's disposal.
When he had mounted to the stoker's place the station-master saluted and
signalled to the driver to start. For a moment Heideck felt a sharp pain
in his heart like a knife when the grinding engine started. It was
his
ife's happiness that he was leaving behind him for ever. A dull,
paralysing melancholy possessed his soul. He seemed to himself to be
a piece of lifeless mechanism, like the engine puffing ceaselessly
onwards, subject and blindly obedient to the will of another. All
his actions were decided, no longer by his own resolutions, but by
an inexorable, higher law--by the iron law of duty. He was no longer
personally free nor personally responsible. The way was marked out for
him as clearly and distinctly as the course of the engine by the iron
lines of rails. With tightly compressed lips he looked fixedly before
him. What lay behind was no longer any concern of his. Only a peremptory
"Forward" must henceforth be his watchword.
About six o'clock in the morning he stood before the royal castle on
the Place de Meix, where the Prince-Admiral had fixed his quarters, King
Leopold having offered him the castle to reside in.
In spite of the early hour Heideck was at once conducted to the Prince's
study.
"Your Royal Highness," said Heideck, "I have a report of the utmost
importance to make. These orders of the English Admiralty have fallen
into my hands."
The Prince motioned him to a seat by his desk. "Be good enough to read
the orders to me, Herr major."
Heideck read the important document, which ran as follows:--
"The Lords of the Admiralty think it desirable to attack the German
fleet first, as being the weaker. This attack must be carried out before
the Russian fleet is in a position to go to its assistance in Kiel
harbour. Therefore a simultaneous attack should be made on the two
positions of the German fleet on the 15th of July."
"On the 15th of July?" repeated the Prince, who had risen in great
excitement. "And it is the 11th to-day! How did you get possession of
these orders, Herr major? What proof have you that this document is
genuine?"
"I have the most convincing reasons for believing it genuine, your Royal
Highness. You can see for yourself that the orders are written on the
blue stamped paper of the English Admiralty."
"Very well, Herr major! But that would not exclude the idea of a
forgery. How did you come into possession of this paper?"
"Your Royal Highness will excuse my entering into an explanation."
"Then read on."
Heideck continued--
"On the day mentioned the Copenhagen fleet has to attack Kiel harbour.
Two battleships will take up a position before the fortress of
Friedrichsort and Fort Falkenstein on the west side, two more before
the fortifications of Labo and Moltenort on the east side of Kiel inlet;
they will keep up so hot a fire on the fortifications that the rest
of the fleet will be able to enter the harbour behind them under their
protection.
"In the harbour of Kiel there are about a hundred transports and some
older ironclads and cruisers, which cannot offer a serious resistance to
our fleet. All these ships must be attacked with the greatest rapidity
and vigour. It is of the utmost importance to send a battleship to the
entrance of the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal, in order to cut off the retreat
of the German ships. All the German ships in the harbour are to be
destroyed. The attack is to be commenced by some cruisers from the
rest of the fleet, which will enter the inlet in advance, without any
consideration of the chance of their being blown up by mines. These
vessels are to be sacrificed, if necessary, in order to set the entrance
free.
"For the attack on the German fleet in the Schelde, which must also take
place on the 15th of July, Vice-Admiral Domvile will form a fleet of two
divisions from the Channel squadrons and the cruiser fleet.
"The first division will be formed of the following battleships:
Bulwark (Vice-Admiral Domvile's flagship), Albemarle, Duncan, Montagu,
Formidable, Renown, Irresistible, and Hannibal.
"The cruisers Bacchante (Rear-Admiral Walker), Gladiator, Naiad,
Hermione, Minerva, Rainbow, Pegasus, Pandora, Abukir, Vindictive, and
Diana.
"The destroyers Dragon, Griffin, Panther, Locust, Boxer, Mallard,
Coquette, Cygnet, and Zephyr.
"Two torpedo flotillas.
"Two ammunition ships, two colliers, and a hospital ship are to be
allotted to the division.
"The second division will be formed of the following battleships:
Majestic (Vice-Admiral Lord Beresford), Magnificent (Rear-Admiral
Lambton), Cornwallis, Exmouth, Russell, Mars, Prince George, Victorious,
and Caesar.
"The cruisers St. George (Captain Winsloe), Sutlej, Niobe, Brilliant,
Doris, Furious, Pactolus, Prometheus, Juno, Pyramus, and Pioneer.
"The destroyers Myrmidon, Chamois, Flying Fish, Kangaroo, Desperate,
Fawn, Ardent, Ariel, and Albatross.
"Two torpedo flotillas.
"Two ammunition ships, two colliers, and a hospital ship are to be
alloted to the division.
"A squadron under Commodore Prince Louis of Battenberg (flagship,
Implacable) will remain in reserve to watch for the possible approach of
a French fleet. In case one is seen, the first division is to unite with
this reserve squadron under the supreme command of Vice-Admiral Domvile,
and to attack the French fleet vigorously, it being left to the second
division to give battle to the German fleet. The general orders given
to the fleet for the attack will then only apply to the second division.
His Majesty's Government expects that the division will be able to
defeat the enemy, even without the help of the first division. As soon
as the scouts of the second division have driven the German guardships
from the mouth of the West Schelde, the left wing of the fighting ships
will open fire on Flushing, the right on the land fortifications of the
south bank. The wings are not to stop, but to advance with the rest of
the fleet, and the entire division will press on to Antwerp or until
it meets the German fighting fleet, which must be attacked with the
greatest vigour.
"The precise details of the manner of attack are left to Vice-Admiral
Domvile.
"If, contrary to expectation, the German fleet, at the beginning of the
attack in the mouth of the Schelde, should decide upon an advance,
the admiral commanding must act upon his own judgment, according to
circumstances; but, above all, it should be remembered that it is of
more importance to capture as many German ships as possible than to
destroy them, so that the captured ships may be used by us during the
further course of the war."
The Prince-Admiral had listened in silence while Heideck was reading.
The excitement which what he had heard had caused him was plainly
reflected in his features.
"There seems a strong internal probability that these orders are
genuine," he said thoughtfully; "but I should like to have further
and more positive proof of it; for it is quite possible that it is
intentionally designed to mislead us. Where does this document come
from, Herr major?"
"I have already most humbly reported to your Royal Highness that I have
induced the skipper Brandelaar, whom I arrested as an English spy,
to act for the future in our interest. Brandelaar's boat brought this
order."
"Where is this man?"
"His boat lies in Flushing harbour."
"And how did Brandelaar get possession of it?"
"I did not get it from Brandelaar himself, but from a lady, an
Englishwoman, who crossed with him from Dover. My honour imposes silence
upon me. I must not mention this lady's name, but I am firmly convinced
and believe that I can guarantee that the document in Admiral Hollway's
office has been copied word for word."
"We can soon find means of convincing ourselves whether the British
fleet is preparing to carry out these orders. Then at last the time for
energetic action would have arrived. His Majesty has foreseen some such
advance on the part of the British fleet, and we have now to carry out
the plan of the supreme commander. I thank you, Herr major!"
Heideck bowed and turned to go. He felt that he could endure it no
longer, and it was only with an effort that he maintained his erect,
military bearing.
When he reached the threshold, the Prince turned to him again, and said,
"I think I shall be doing you an honour, Herr major, if I give you the
opportunity of witnessing, by my side, the events of that great and
glorious day in the life of our youthful fleet. Report yourself to me
on the morning of the 15th of July on board my flagship. I will see that
your present post is provided for."
"Your Royal Highness is very gracious."
"You have a claim on my thanks. Au revoir, then, Herr major."
The Prince immediately summoned the adjutant on duty, and ordered him
to have several copies of the English naval plan of attack prepared at
once.
One of these was intended for the admiral in command of the French fleet
at Cherbourg. The Prince gave the imperial messenger, who was to convey
the document to him, an autograph letter in which he urged upon the
admiral to do his utmost to reach Flushing on the morning of the 15th
with as strong a fighting fleet as possible, so as to assist the German
fleet in its engagement with the numerically superior fleet of the
English.