"Captain Leclere!" almost shouted the German officer in the conning tower.
"That's the man," said Alfred.
"Then I am not surprised," said the officer in a low voice.
"Surprised?" said Ralph. "Did you say 'surprised?'"
The officer sighed, turned his head away, and was silent.
A lieutenant and four seamen reached the side of the submarine, and were drawn aboard.
"Ah! it was your ship that went down in the bay last Wednesday," said the chaser's lieutenant.
"Yes; we were picked up by the submarine, together with my two young friends here," said the captain.
"And how does it happen that you are in command of this vessel?" he asked in surprise.
"We captured it about a half an hour ago, and have the chief officer and the crew below," replied the captain.