"Then," said Frank, "why cannot we make a dash for the Islands? We can put in there and give warning. Besides, it may be that some of the British fleet is near there."
"A good idea," replied Lord Hastings. "It shall be acted upon at once."
Under full speed the Sylph dashed forward toward the Islands.
"I don't expect we shall pick up the Falklands before morning," said Lord Hastings, "and we shall have to keep a sharp lookout tonight, for we are likely to bump into a German cruiser prowling about here some place."
"Scharnhorst trying to raise the Dresden again," said the wireless operator to Lord Hastings, with a grin.
"Let her try," replied Lord Hastings. "Guess Admiral von Spee will think it funny he gets no reply, but he'll think it funnier still when he finally does raise the Dresden and learns that it was not she who answered his other call."
And it was not long until the real Dresden did reply. The
Sylph's operator picked up the messages that were exchanged.
"Dresden, Koehler!" came the response to one of the flagship's calls.
"What is the matter?" came the query. "Why did you cease communicating?"
"Don't understand," was the reply. "Have not communicated with you before."