The sub rejoined the amateur helmsman with the utmost promptitude.
"Look!" continued the latter, pointing astern.
"Dash it all, Moke!" exclaimed the sub. "We're in for something. If I'm not very much mistaken, we are being chased by an Austrian destroyer."
CHAPTER XXXII
TOUCH AND GO
SEIZING the steering-wheel Farrar flung the boat hard to port, in the hope that he might shake off pursuit by running at right angles to his former course. By so doing he was taking her farther from Venice, but in this matter he had little option. Had he ported helm the change of direction would have brought the patrol boat athwart the course of the destroyer.
"Take her," he exclaimed hurriedly, and hied him to the motor-room, letting the engines "all out" with full throttle.
When he returned on deck the hostile craft had also altered helm. She was gaining steadily. Columns of flame-tinged smoke poured from her four funnels, while her outlines were faintly discernible against the starlit sea as she came bows on to the fugitives.
Again she signalled, throwing out a code message.