THE TRAP IS SET.
"Hastings!"
The exclamation was wrung from the lips of the astonished Admiral Fischer, in command of the naval forces operating about Dover.
"Right you are, Fischer," was Lord Hastings' smiling rejoinder, "though how you recognized me in all this German toggery is more than I can explain."
The admiral advanced and wrung Lord Hastings' hand.
"And why this German uniform?" he asked. "And who is this young man with you?"
"I'll answer the last question first," smiled Lord Hastings, "by presenting to your excellency, my second officer, Mr. Frank Chadwick."
Admiral Fischer acknowledged the introduction.
"Now for the answer to my other question," he said.
In a few brief words Lord Hastings explained. As he progressed with his recital Admiral Fischer became more and more astonished. And when Lord Hastings had concluded, the admiral burst out:
"And you mean to tell me the Germans have the temerity to attempt a raid in the very mouth of the Thames?"
Lord Hastings nodded.
"They certainly have," he said quietly, and he produced the order he had received from the German admiral.
Admiral Fischer scanned it closely.
"It's authentic enough," he said finally, "I know his signature well. And this raid is to take place at midnight, eh?"
"Well, no. We are to gather at midnight. How long it will take to reach the mouth of the Thames you can figure yourself."
"I can," declared the admiral. "And I can also figure that if these submarines dare enter the Thames they will never get out."
"But you must figure better than that, Admiral. You must figure so they will be unable to do any damage. That's even better than figuring that they cannot escape after the damage is done."
"So it is," returned the admiral. "Have you a plan?"
"Why, yes! You must immediately order all warships and other craft now at the mouth of the Thames, further up river. Order a swift torpedo boat flotilla down the river—as many as are available—and have half a dozen torpedo boats—equipped with nets—to take their places behind the motorboat fleet."
"And then?"
"Well, the motorboats will attack the submarines as soon as they appear. A few of them undoubtedly will be sunk. Then let the rest retire. The submarines, submerged by this time, will travel forward a bit. At this point have the torpedo boats, with nets stretched, proceed down each side of the river. Of course, the torpedo boats must advance at the moment the motorboats flee."
"But I should think the Germans are too wary to be caught in a trap like that."
"They won't be, because they expect the raid to be too unexpected for such details to have been arranged. Only one stipulation. Instruct all your officers under no circumstances to fire at the first submersible to move up the river."
"And why?" demanded the admiral.
"Chiefly," smiled Lord Hastings, "because I don't want to go to the bottom."
"Oh, I see! You mean to lead the German advance."
"Exactly, and for two reasons. First, because I wish to reach a place of safety at the earliest possible moment, and second, because if the Germans see one craft advance, apparently unafraid, the others will not hesitate to follow."
"But perhaps it will be impossible for you to lead the way."
"You just leave that to me, Fischer. I shall be in the first submarine. The only question that remains is whether you have time to lay your plans."
"Plenty," was the reply. "I'll begin now."
He pressed a button on his desk and an orderly entered. At a command he left the room again, only to summon other officers. Admiral Fischer scribbled rapidly, passing paper after paper to different officers. At the end of another half hour, he turned to Lord Hastings.
"All ready," he said quietly.
"You have lost no time," replied Lord Hastings with a smile. He glanced at his watch. "Almost ten," he said. "Come, Frank, we shall have to hurry."
"Look here, Hastings," said Admiral Fischer, "don't you think you are taking unnecessary risks? What's the use of going back? Why not stay here?"
"Impossible, Fischer," returned Lord Hastings. "In the first place, some of my men are there and I must return to them. Then again, I want to be in the fun."
The admiral shrugged his shoulders.
"I know you too well to insist," he said. "So be it. But one thing; remember that you must be in the first submarine."
"I'll be there," said Lord Hastings.
Admiral Fischer summoned the officer who had conducted the two to him and instructed him to return them to where he had picked them up. The officer looked surprised, but he said nothing. Lord Hastings shook hands with Admiral Fischer and he and Frank followed the officer from the room.
Quickly they made their way back to the motorboat, were hurried out over to the dark water, and finally were given their own small boat again, in which they headed for the U-16.
"Think you can find her, sir?" asked Frank.
"No trouble at all," was the reply.
And there was no trouble.
By eleven o'clock they were safely back aboard and Jack received them anxiously.
"What luck, sir?" he asked.
"Excellent," replied Lord Hastings. "How did everything go in my absence?"
"All quiet, sir."
"No trouble with Davis?"
"No, sir. I haven't even seen him."
"Very well. Now you may give the order to submerge and we'll make for the rendezvous."
Jack obeyed.
It was just exactly three minutes to twelve when Lord Hastings, having taken his bearings and found he was in the designated spot, gave the command to come to the surface.
Slowly the U-16 arose from the deep, and immediately she rested upon the surface, Jack and Frank followed Lord Hastings to the bridge.
The night was perfectly dark and at first they were unable to make out an object upon the silent water. But suddenly, to the left, there was a single brief flash of light; a second to the right; one forward and one astern; then other arrivals from the deep flashed a signal of their safe arrival. Producing his small pocket flashlight, Lord Hastings did the same.
"Seven besides ourselves," he muttered to himself.
Slowly now the submarines drew closer together until presently a voice from the bridge of one could be heard by all as Admiral Schuler addressed his captains.
"We shall submerge until our periscopes alone show," he gave his orders. "Then we shall proceed at full speed for the mouth of the Thames."
"But mines?" protested a voice.
"The mines have been swept clear," was the reply. "A flotilla of mine sweepers have been busy since dark. Now, heed these orders: We shall keep as close together as possible. Reaching the Thames, one submarine must lead the way. I shall call for a volunteer."
"Here, sir," Lord Hastings spoke up before the other commanders had a chance.
The others also volunteered, but Admiral Schuler awarded the honor to the U-16.
"You spoke first," he explained. Then he continued: "Unfortunately, we have been unable to learn the exact positions of the various British war vessels in the Thames, but we do know that there are many stationed there—just how far up the river I cannot say. 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. Each submerged until the tip of her periscope protruded above the water, and then they sped after the flagship into the darkness of the night.
Swiftly they went, for Admiral Schuler realized the value of haste. He wished to make the raid and be out to sea again before the break of day.
Aboard the eight units of the submarine flotilla there was joy unrestrained. The crews of each vessel had been taken into the confidence of their commanders by this time and the men aboard seven of the craft were eagerly awaiting the moment when they could strike a terrible blow at the British navy. In view of the successes that had already attended the efforts of the German submersibles, there was little doubt in the hearts of the men that the present venture would be accomplished.
Even the three British sailors aboard the U-16 were cheerful, for although they did not realize the exact import of their mission, they knew Lord Hastings well enough to realize that he was acting in this manner only because there was some big duty to perform. They were content to follow him blindly.
Perhaps the only four men with the fleet who did not really have their interests aroused were Davis and his three fellow conspirators. Their only hope was that the sooner they came through the venture successfully the sooner they might get to work on their own plans.
The submarine fleet sped silently through the waters, going as swift as the wind; and when it finally reached the broad mouth of the Thames, the key to London itself, it still lacked two hours of dawn. But it was time for quick work and Admiral Schuler was not the man to hesitate—had he been, he would not have held this important post.
The submarines came to the surface now, in accordance with previous instructions, and Admiral Schuler, by a signal with his light, instructed the U-16 to proceed ahead. The other vessels dropped back a little.
"Well," said Lord Hastings to Frank and Jack, who stood beside him on the bridge, "here goes. May good fortune attend us."
He gave Jack the command:
"Full speed ahead!"