"Which is my plan exactly," declared Davis. "Yes, we must have a crew. Hans, do you think you could approach these prisoners?"
"Leave that to me, sir," replied Hans with an evil wink. "I think I can convince them, sir."
"Good; but in the meantime, do not talk this among yourselves. I believe we had better wait until after the end of the expedition we are now on. Vigilance, probably, will relax then. In the meantime, we must try and show ourselves to be perfectly loyal to the Kaiser."
"Very well, sir."
"All right then," said Davis. "You fellows clear out now. I want to get a little sleep."
Silently the three conspirators made their way from the traitor's cabin. No one saw them go and the success of the plot seemed assured as the U-16 continued on her journey, Lord Hastings, Frank, Jack and the other British aboard unaware and unsuspecting.
Shortly after dusk of the night upon which the German under-sea fleet expected to spring its coup, the U-16 lay upon the calm surface of the water still some distance from the point set for the gathering of the submarine flotilla at the midnight hour, and likewise a considerable distance from Dover.
Explaining his reason for stopping here, Lord Hastings said: "There may be British patrol boats about—probably are. I want you boys to remain in charge here, while I take a boat and try to reach the British authorities."
"One of us had better go along, sir," declared Frank.
Lord Hastings considered this a minute.