"They won't be, because they expect the raid to be too unexpected for such details to have been arranged. Only one stipulation. Instruct all your officers under no circumstances to fire at the first submersible to move up the river."
"And why?" demanded the admiral.
"Chiefly," smiled Lord Hastings, "because I don't want to go to the bottom."
"Oh, I see! You mean to lead the German advance."
"Exactly, and for two reasons. First, because I wish to reach a place of safety at the earliest possible moment, and second, because if the Germans see one craft advance, apparently unafraid, the others will not hesitate to follow."
"But perhaps it will be impossible for you to lead the way."
"You just leave that to me, Fischer. I shall be in the first submarine. The only question that remains is whether you have time to lay your plans."
"Plenty," was the reply. "I'll begin now."
He pressed a button on his desk and an orderly entered. At a command he left the room again, only to summon other officers. Admiral Fischer scribbled rapidly, passing paper after paper to different officers. At the end of another half hour, he turned to Lord Hastings.
"All ready," he said quietly.