t the periscope, which, immediately the submarine had reached the desired place, w

for the word that would send one of the steel engin

tuation; for, besides the danger that always attended such an undertaking, there was

s was well aware that the presence of a hostile submarine

of the Germans were dashing hither and thither in a vain endeavor to find some trace of t

w turned to Jack

o the surface,

D-17 had risen so that her periscope barely protrude

ank of Lord Hastings, who now pe

too far away for us, although they might reach us with a shell if their lights should happen to pick us

directions to Frank, w

less than a hundred and fifty yards of the German battleship without being

ded Lord Hastings sudde

button, and the sign

next command that glo

orpedo stood ready to release

a slight p

ir

ick as the engine of death sp

and to submerge. Instead, he stood perfectly motionless, peering into the periscope. There

hit he

to his place at the periscope. Frank, turning the wheel over

dred great searchlights-the eyes of the many other German ships of war-played upon the sinking vess

hile Frank could hear no sounds there below the water, there w

the crew who were seeking to get a small boat over the side at that end of the ship. A G

r; then advanced again upon the sailors. One sprang forward, but fell sprawling up

. Frank saw the man gesticulating angrily; and the sailors fell to getting the boat over in a more orderly manner, apparently more a

too, officers had their hands full in attempting to maintain discipline. Se

ered visibly and a dull roar carried

nk explained to

e reached her magazin

ere was a terrible roar, louder than the loudest peal of thund

man sailors. Instead, they rushed for the rails and threw themselves into the sea in scores. Several times officers rushed in between

officers congregated on the bridge, gathering abo

attleship. Then the commander raised his hand in a commanding gesture. A dozen of

is side, though plainly more reluctantly. This continued

, I suppose," Frank

s argued back. The commander stamped his foot. One of the

ho had already explained the situation to

d Lord Hastings. "I know the

across the

toward the side of the ship. Apparently they held him firmly, for Frank could se

nder shrug his shoulders. Immediately the other off

," said Frank to Lord Hastin

ieve it," wa

e is, si

there were new developments

. Again the others sought to seize him by the arms. But the commander had anticipated this action, and he l

is weapons. The others shook their heads. The commander raised both revol

"There are three of t

the commander of the vessel. He has the privilege of staying

, but they r

should

ened them, sir. B

funeral," said Lor

o force the others to leave the ship; and the three

came su

barely audible to those aboard the D-17-and came down in twain. The afterpart of the vessel disappeared beneath the water almost

huge flashlights from the other vessels in the harbor lighted them

le of brilliancy. Down, down. Now the water had reached almost to the bridg

lace at the periscope to

e; and three bra

o reply to

ntly. Lord Hastings looked about sharply. Again the

D-17. "Every ship in the fleet is bearing down

he command and

, sir?" a

more of them," was the reply.

Kiel

headed for

" bega

said Lord Hastings, "that some