“I have learned,” said the admiral, “they have completed several submarine vessels, and I fear that they may attempt a raid beneath the water. Of course, I have my own submarines, but the enemy may get by.”
“In which case,” said Lord Hastings, “it is a good thing, perhaps, that I arrived just when I did.”
“I fail to see,” said the admiral, “how your vessel can hope to discover the enemy any easier than my own.”
“Well, I’ll tell you,” and Lord Hastings went into a detailed account of the capabilities of the D-16, laying particular emphasis upon her huge searchlight compartment, separated from the water only by thick glass, and upon her ability to remain indefinitely under the water.
The French admiral was greatly astonished, but when Lord Hastings told him of his course and assured him that the D-16 was capable of all he claimed for her, the admiral was delighted.
“Then you may really be of assistance to me,” he said.
“I shall be glad to aid in any way possible,” declared Lord Hastings. “You have but to command me. Consider me under your orders for the next twenty-four hours.”
“In that event,” said the French admiral, “I wish that you would try and creep into the harbor and learn what is going on. ‘Forewarned is forearmed,’ you know.”
“I shall be glad to do so.”
Lord Hastings bade the admiral goodbye and returned aboard the D-16 immediately.