"Unless the submarine should chance to come to the surface there," was Frank's objection.
"We'll have to leave something to chance," declared Jack.
"In which event your plan is as good as any I can conceive," said Frank. "But after we get the Essex there, then what?"
"Why," said Jack, "I'll take a party of half a hundred men or so and surround the house of this Cutlip boy. When the Germans arrive we'll nab 'em. After that we can find the submarine."
"Hasn't it struck you, sir," Frank asked of Jack, "that maybe the men who accosted this boy and his father were merely bluffing? That they may not return to-night?"
"It has," Jack replied, "but at the same time there is a chance that they will. Therefore, in lieu of any other clue as to the whereabouts of the submarine, I deem it well to act on what information, we have."
"It won't hurt anything, that's sure, sir," was Lieutenant Hetherton's comment.
In this the other officers agreed.
"Very well then," said Jack. "It shall be as I suggested. Mr. Chadwick, will you shape your course for the point I have mentioned."
"But the boy, sir?" said Frank. "Shall we not put him over the side first?"