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?"
"I must confess to that, too," answered the young German.
"Well, I can explain in a very few words," said Lord Hastings quietly. "In the first place, I carry a number—you know what I mean?"
The German nodded.
"The secret service," he said quietly.
Lord Hastings gave him a glance of approval and the young man flushed.
"Exactly," replied Lord Hastings. "My friends here also carry numbers. They are young, as you see, but they have proved themselves more than once in His Majesty's service."