The captain came forward and shook hands with Mr. Elton. "Thank you for the wireless; we had about despaired, when it came to the hotel."
"I didn't tell the boys," replied the captain. "I left that pleasure for their own eyes; and here are the mothers; how I must congratulate you on having such sons. I know their worth."
"And is it true what they say about your doings with our boys, that you captured the submarine, while it was under the water?" asked Mrs. Elton.
"Yes, that was true, and much more," answered the captain.
"We felt so proud about it," replied Mr. Elton, "and it was some compensation for having been twice torpedoed within a week."
"What? did you say that you were torpedoed the second time?" asked Ralph.
"Yes," replied Mr. Elton. "We were picked up by a ship, the next morning, which was bound for New York. Two days afterwards, when out of the danger zone, our ship went down, and we had to take to the boats. This time we were picked up by a ship that landed us in Havre, three days ago. Then we heard of your exploits, of which the French papers were full, and we determined to remain here until we heard from you."
"But I cannot understand how it was that the captain happened to reach you by wireless?" asked Ralph.
"The cruiser wireless telegraphed the fact of our rescue to the U. S. consul, and I wired the commander of the cruiser," replied Mr. Elton.
"I answered Mr. Elton's message," said the captain with a smile. "But are you going back to America now?" continued the captain.