“I think not—unless it is necessary for some purpose that may arise later. Right now I see no need of landing.”
“There are sure to be Turkish warships there, sir?”
“I should think so, surely.”
“When do you reckon we shall reach there?”
“I had planned to enter the harbor about midnight.”
“Best time for such work, sir.”
“We’ll be aided by a moon tonight—or should be, at least.”
And it was midnight when the D-16, with her deck barely awash, drew into the harbor of Constantinople, slinking silently along, with every man at his post, seeking out her prey.
“Warship dead ahead,” called Lord Hastings, and gave the command to stop. “We couldn’t want a better place to launch a torpedo,” he added. “A miss at this distance is out of the question.”
The crew stood at attention, and action came swift and fast.