José Medina agreed.
"I will give them instructions."
"And yet another instruction if you will be so kind, to all your captains."
"Yes?"
"That they shall report at the earliest possible moment to your nearest agent ashore, the position of any submarine they have seen."
José Medina assented once more.
"But it will take a little time, señor, for me to pass that instruction round. It shall go from captain to captain, but it will not be prudent to give it out more widely. A week or two—no more—and every captain in my fleet shall be informed. That is all?"
Hillyard was already rising from his chair. He stood straight up.
"All except that they will be forbidden too," he added with a smile, "to supply either food or drink or oil to any enemy vessel."
José Medina raised his hands in protest.