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The officers, from their places upon the bridge, followed with their eyes the movements of the U-16, which displayed a small stern light to guide them on. In case of danger Lord Hastings had been instructed to give immediate warning, that the vessels behind might have time to dive.
"Those," said Davis, "are what I should call considerable questions. However, I can see no harm in answering them, particularly as you will never be able to repeat what you hear now. I came here in our submarine the U-16, which, by the way, I have rechristened The Vulture a suitable name, don't you think? and I came here because I had business here. Now, as to your other question.
"Lieutenant Papen," he said, introducing Jack; "and Lieutenant Bohring," indicating Frank. The three acknowledged the introductions and then Lord Hastings continued: "I suppose you are wondering how I come to be in command of the U-16?" "I am, sir," was the reply. "And also," continued Lord Hastings with a smile, "you are no doubt wondering just who I am anyway?"
However, once there we shall not return until we have sunk them." A subdued cheer ran across the water in the darkness. "It is time to go," said Admiral Schuler. "I shall show the way to the Thames, when the U-16 will take the lead. To your posts and follow me closely." He went below, and the other commanders did likewise. A moment later the purr of machinery became audible aboard each vessel.
Suddenly there came a hail across the water and a light flashed upon the U-16. In response to a command Lord Hastings brought the vessel to a halt. "Who are you?" came the challenge in the darkness. "U-16, Captain Tarlenhein," Lord Hastings shouted back. "Good," was the reply. "We wondered what had happened to you. Everything all right?" "All right."
Immediately he gave the signal agreed upon with the German admiral, the darkening of the tail light the signal for the others to submerge and the U-16 dashed forward faster than before to reach a place of safety as quickly as possible and to get out of range of the British ships, which, a moment later, opened upon the enemy with every available gun.
You may steam at ten knots, Mr. Templeton." Jack gave the order and the vessel moved down the river. Shortly after nightfall the submarine, U-6, was proceeding into the North Sea, for it was there that Lord Hastings believed he would be more likely to encounter Davis and the U-16. "Besides," he explained, "our usefulness is not at an end in the matter of obtaining information from the Germans.
But now one of the commanders with the motorboat flotilla could restrain his impatience no longer, and while still some distance from the enemy gave the command to fire. A single big gun boomed in the darkness and a shell screamed over the U-16 toward the German submarines beyond. "The fool!" exclaimed Lord Hastings angrily. "Why could he not wait? There is no reason for concealment longer."
But in the meantime we must not let him suspect our true identity for he may be of use to us." The lads nodded. "Now," said Lord Hastings, "we may as well put about and run for Ostend." Frank gave the command to Edwards, at the wheel, and the U-16 came about and headed east. Frank and Jack went below to their quarters, leaving Lord Hastings alone on the bridge.
Davis made no reply. He recognized Lord Hastings' authority to do as he said and he was smart enough to say nothing. Lord Hastings left Davis with the sailors. An hour after leaving the spot where the U-16 had so recently sent a German submarine to the bottom, Lord Hastings again gave the command to come to the surface; and the vessel proceeded then upon the top of the water.
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