Doris accepted the offer, Ronald taking rather an unnecessary time in assisting her into the voluminous yellow coat.
"That's all serene," he explained enthusiastically. "By Jove, Doris, it suits you splendidly."
"It's certainly more useful than ornamental," said the girl, as a shower of spray dashed up from the bows and drifted aft with a hissing sound. "There was once——"
Her words were suddenly interrupted by a dull crash. Instinctively the sub. and his companion glanced astern. A cloud of smoke partly obscured the fore-part of the cruiser, as she reeled heavily to port with the effect of a mortal blow.
CHAPTER VIII
SPY AND SUPER-SPY
"She's torpedoed, sir!" exclaimed the coxswain as the "Pompey," after slowly recovering herself again, listed until her main for'ard-deck scuttles were awash.
"Hard-a-starboard!" ordered Tressidar. Then under his breath he added, "And those poor little kids on board."
Slowly the pall of smoke dispersed. Outwardly the cruiser showed no signs of her injuries. Swarms of seamen were strenuously engaged in lowering a collision-mat over the hole well beneath the water-line. Others were swinging out the boats.