“What is it?”
“It may have some bearing on future fight engagements,” Dalzell continued, his grin slowly fading.
“When will you find time to tell me what the question is?” Darrin asked smiling.
“How many submarines were probably engaged this morning?”
“I haven’t any more idea than you have. I was too fully occupied with our own affairs to be able to watch the whole field.”
“But that document led us to believe that about sixty would be engaged,” Dalzell continued. “The question is, how many submarines were pitted against the fleet this morning?”
“I don’t know how many,” Dave admitted. “But I see your point. If the entire sixty were not engaged—and I doubt if any such number attacked—then we must look for a second mass attack.”
“Yes, sir,” nodded Dalzell, now wholly the serious, subordinate naval officer.
“The thing is worth taking up,” said Dave. “I’ll signal Captain Rhodes on the flagship of the destroyer flotilla and find out what he has to say.”
Back came Captain Rhodes’ answer within a minute: