“Well, my idea would be to run up a flag of truce,” said Frank. “Then we can explain.”
“Good,” exclaimed Lord Hastings. “Run up a flag of truce at once.”
It was the work of but a few seconds to raise a white flag, and when it had straightened out before the brisk breeze, there was no further shot from the Russian cruiser.
Soon a boat put over the cruiser’s side, and manned by a well armed crew, came toward the D-16. Within hailing distance an officer arose and cried out something in a tongue unintelligible to any on board.
“Speak English!” Lord Hastings called back. “I can’t understand you.”
The next words came in halting English.
“Who are you?”
“British submarine, D-16!” Lord Hastings called back.
“Then why did you fire at us?”
“We didn’t. You were fired upon by a German submarine, which we have just sunk. Will you come aboard?”