For one moment he had taken his eyes from the water ahead, and now, glancing forth once more, he beheld a sight that moved him to instant action. His eyes fell upon a large object directly ahead, a scant hundred yards.
Quickly the lad jumped to the bell that signalled the engine room. And almost as quickly the speed of the vessel was checked. But the nose of the submarine was now but inches from the dark looking object ahead.
Lord Hastings’ face appeared in the room.
“What’s the matter?” he demanded.
“Looks like a mine, sir,” replied Frank quietly.
Lord Hastings advanced until he could get a good look at the object. He peered at it long and carefully, then turned to the lad.
“You are right,” he said. “It is a mine. Had you perceived it an instant later we undoubtedly would be in the land of the missing by this time.”
Frank flushed at this, for he realized perfectly that had he been paying strict attention to his duties, the submarine would not have come this close to danger of destruction. But he said nothing.
The mine extended well up toward the surface of the water, but the bottom of it was in plain sight.
“I suppose the best thing to do is to dive under it,” said Lord Hastings.