align="left" valign="top">THE BATTLE OF MOON SOUND

XVII.   HIT XVIII.   PINNED DOWN XIX.   FORCED TO ASCEND XX.   UNDER RUSSIAN ESCORT XXI.   THE HOUSE IN BOBBINSKY PROSPEKT XXII.   WHEN THE LIGHT FAILED XXIII.   TRAPPED XXIV.   FORDYCE'S TWO VISITORS XXV.   "FLIRT, YOU'RE A BRICK!" XXVI.   A FRIEND IN NEED XXVII.   THE FATE OF KLOSTIVITCH XXVIII.   RESCUED XXIX.   THE CAPTURED CONVOY XXX.   A DUEL TO THE DEATH XXXI.   VON HOPPNER'S BOAST XXXII.   "TAKEN DOWN A PEG" XXXIII.   GOOD-BYE TO THE BALTIC XXXIV.   HOME AGAIN

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CHAPTER I

Flirt's Indiscretion

"Come here, Flirt! Heel at once!"

Noel Fordyce had good cause to be anxious concerning his pet. It was the dog's first run with him for over five months, and, left during that period to well-meaning yet lax guardians, the animal had been reported out of hand; while, in her great joy and excitement, Flirt had apparently forgotten the discipline imparted during puppyhood.

Noel Fordyce, Sub-Lieutenant, R.N.R., was spending a fortnight's hard-earned leave at his parents' home on the outskirts of the naval town of Otherport. For five months he had been on submarine patrol work in the North Sea, including brief periods spent in a certain East Coast port while R19 was replenishing stores and fuel.

The Sub was a tall, broad-shouldered youth barely out of his teens. His complexion was dark; his eyes a deep grey that betokened resolution and determination. His lips were full, and firmly set in repose; but when he smiled he revealed an even set of white teeth that glinted in contrast to the mahogany tan of his weather-beaten face.

He was in mufti. For one thing, it was a change to slip out of uniform; for another, his uniform badly needed renewal. A strenuous period on board one of H.M. submarines is not conducive to longevity on the part of gold lace and blue cloth.

Flirt was an Irish terrier, now in her second year. Fordyce was deeply fond of the dog, and she was devotedly attached to him; but, unfortunately, Flirt had already had her