There came a sharp, metallic click; and after it the silence of death aboard the U-16 for a brief second while Lord Hastings took Frank's place.
Then the German sailor who had launched the torpedo cried out:
"Did we hit her, sir?"
Lord Hastings took his eye from the periscope long enough to answer: "Squarely on the bridge, my man."
The sailor gave a guttural exclamation of joy, in which his countrymen joined. The three Englishmen had the presence of mind to say nothing. Then one of the Germans turned to Edwards, who stood by him at that moment.
"There goes one of your vessels," he said happily.
"Where many of yours will go before long," returned Edwards, turning away to hide a grin.
"Then we hit her, sir?" questioned Frank eagerly.
"We did," returned Lord Hastings.
"Shall we go to the surface again?" Jack asked.