Jack was moved to action.
“There is still a chance,” he told himself. “I know the submarine is wounded unto death, but if she should happen to leap clear of the water, I must be prepared.”
He ascended the steps toward the bridge, and stood close to the door that would give him life should the D-16 really come to the surface, if only for a moment.
With his hand upon the lock, Jack waited, his eyes, meanwhile, still fastened upon the indicator, which he could barely see from his present position.
“Two fathoms,” it read, “one fathom, half a fathom,” and then Jack suddenly threw open the door, and with a single jump, was upon the bridge, even as the D-16 leaped clear of the water for a brief instant, before she settled again, to rise no more.
That brief instant was enough, for in it Jack was able to hurl himself clear of the vessel, into the sea, where he struck with a loud splash, and a shock at the icy coldness of the water.
The lad did not even lose consciousness, but struck out vigorously for what he saw was a British warship.
A sailor espied him, and a boat put off after him. Five minutes later he was lifted aboard, where he promptly succumbed because of the reaction.
He was put to bed alongside Frank and Lord Hastings.
Frank was the first to open his eyes. He glanced about him. There, to his left, lay Lord Hastings still unconscious.