But two hours later, when the Queen Mary and Indefatigable came up with the other British ships, no enemy had been sighted yet. It was then almost nine o'clock.
"You are sure you have not miscalculated the time?" Captain Raleigh asked of Frank and Jack.
"Positive, sir," replied the former. "Besides, you have the document relating to the attack."
"True enough. The enemy probably has been delayed. Or perhaps they will await the coming of daylight."
"It would be better if they did, for us, I mean, wouldn't it, sir?" asked Frank.
"Much better," replied his commander briefly.
"Then let us hope that is what happens."
"But I am afraid it won't happen," said Jack. "If the Germans get this far safely, they won't wait for us to overtake them."
"No; you're right there," said Captain Raleigh. "The thing that worries me is that, if they do get by us, they will spread out all over the sea. They will be able to raid the British coast, may succeed in running through the English channel, and then we shall have to round them up all over again. They would scatter over the seven seas."
"Then we've got to lick 'em," declared Frank, grimly.