As the submarine made her way along, Lord Hastings decided that, as they had been so long without news of what was going on at other points in the great war zone, it would be advisable to question their prisoner along this line.
“We’ll have him up and learn what’s what,” he told the two lads.
Accordingly Frank went to fetch him, and a few minutes later all were comfortably seated in the commander’s cabin.
Lord Hastings informed the prisoner what they desired of him, and the latter was nothing loath to enlighten them.
“Possibly the matter of greatest moment at this time,” said the prisoner with some show of pride, “is the German blockade of Great Britain and the coast of Northern France.”
Lord Hastings was on his feet in an instant.
“Blockade of Great Britain!” he ejaculated. “Why, it’s impossible. The German fleet itself is bottled up by our ships. How, then, can they blockade England?”
The German smiled.
“It is a blockade, nevertheless,” he replied, “if it is only maintained by submarines. No ships of war, nor merchant ships flying the flags of any of our enemies are immune. The blockade went into effect yesterday, and already two merchantmen have been sent to the bottom.”
“And their crews?” asked Lord Hastings.