Part 24 (1/2)

”Looks like those were the only ones aboard,” remarked Jack.

”It does,” agreed Frank. ”Maybe the men in the motorboats were part of their crews and they have been lying about here all these days waiting for them to return.”

”Well, I can't guess the answer,” said Jack. ”But certainly there is no other German here.”

They returned and reported to Lord Hastings.

”Very well,” said their commander. ”Then the best thing we can do is to try and work this submarine back to port. It is an important capture.”

”If you please, sir,” said Jack. ”I believe I can suggest a better plan than that.”

”And that is----” prompted Lord Hastings.

”To a.s.sume the ident.i.ties of these German officers, sir. Or not necessarily to a.s.sume their ident.i.ties, but just to take charge of the vessel as if we had been duly commissioned by the German government.

Then we can seek out the enemy's naval base and perhaps gain information of importance.”

Lord Hastings looked at the lad in amus.e.m.e.nt for some moments before he replied:

”By Jove! You and Frank here do turn up some of the most remarkable ideas I have ever heard!”

”Then you don't think much of the plan, sir?”

”I think so much of it,” replied Lord Hastings, ”that I shall act upon it at once.”

Now it was Frank's turn to show his enthusiasm.

”Hoorah!” he cried.

”That is,” Lord Hastings qualified his statement, ”I shall act upon your plan if Mr. Chadwick here can restrain his enthusiasm. Otherwise, I would be afraid to undertake the venture.”

”I'll restrain it, sir,” declared Frank, subdued.

”Good! See that you do,” returned Lord Hastings. ”Some of these days that enthusiasm of yours will get us all into trouble.”

”And what shall we do with these men, sir?” asked Jack, indicating the fallen Germans.

”Overboard with them, I suppose,” returned Lord Hastings. ”It's where I expect to go when my time comes. It's as good a grave as another.”

”And shall we take their uniforms, sir?”

”Yes. It may spare some explaining.”

And thus it was arranged.

Two hours later, following a thorough exploration of the submarine, Lord Hastings announced that he could navigate it without trouble.

”Fortunately,” he said, ”I find that it will be possible for two men to handle the engine room. We three and Edwards will take our turns at the wheel and doing whatever else is to be done, relieving in the engine room when it is necessary. Of course we are short-handed, but I believe we can pull through. Perhaps, if we are fortunate enough to fall in with one of the enemy, we can borrow a few men. We can concoct some story that will pa.s.s muster and thus account for the loss of the others of our crew.”

Jack smiled.