"Much to their sorrow," said Frank.
"All ready below?" demanded Lord Hastings.
"All ready, sir," replied Jack.
"Good. Down with both of you then. I'll be down the moment the first torpedo has been fired, and we'll have to submerge as quickly as possible."
The lads obeyed Lord Hastings' command and took their positions.
"Ready with No. 1 torpedo," came Lord Hastings' command from above.
"Ready, sir," returned Jack, after a quick scrutiny.
"Ready with No. 3 torpedo," shouted Lord Hastings.
"Ready, sir," said Jack, and then exclaimed in an aside to Frank:
"By Jove! He's going to try and get two of them at once."