Lord Hastings took his decision instantly.
"Below," he said quietly as he led the way. Frank and Jack followed.
"Submerge, Mr. Templeton," came Lord Hastings' sharp command.
Jack gave the order. The conning tower was hermetically closed instantly and Lord Hastings took his place at the periscope. When the U-16 had submerged until the periscope barely protruded above the water's edge, Lord Hastings ordered:
"Hold her there!"
Orders came thick and fast now. Gradually the U-16 swerved a bit, to better bring her torpedo tubes to bear. Lord Hastings gave a hurried order to Jack, who stood at his elbow.
"Let no one come near me here," he said. "It would not do to have Davis or one of the crew see what we are about to do."
"No one shall pass me, sir," was Jack's quiet response.
"Good. Signal No. 2 torpedo."
Immediately upon going below Frank had ordered the men to their posts, where they now stood, eagerly expectant—the German members of the crew because they believed a British ship was to be torpedoed, and the Englishmen because they knew a German craft of some kind had been encountered.