All descended from the bridge, the little vessel was made snug and comfortable, and disappeared from the surface of the sea.
“Shape your course due east, Mr. Templeton, and steam at 7 knots,” ordered Lord Hastings. “Mr. Chadwick, you will take your post and watch for mines.”
“Very good, sir,” replied both lads, and departed on their respective duties.
In the darkened room in the bow of the vessel, with the powerful searchlight lighting up the murky water ahead, Frank kept careful vigil. Hour after hour he sat there in silence, hardly moving from his first position.
The D-16 forged ahead but slowly, for there was no need of undue haste and Lord Hastings was not minded to take unnecessary chances.
Frank glanced at his watch.
“Midnight,” he muttered to himself. “Only one more hour and then I can turn in for the night.”
Still the minutes passed without incident. Finally, at a few minutes to one, Frank, after a second glance at his watch, arose and stretched himself.
“Guess nothing will turn up in my watch,” he told himself.
But the lad was mistaken.