With more important ends in view von Loringhoven made no attempt to sink the vessels flying the red ensign, lest news of the U-boat's presence might be communicated to the naval authorities at Trecurnow.
There was one exception, however, and the ober-leutnant risked a torpedo on the chance of aiding rather than hazarding his piratical progress.
Just before sunset a steamer was reported about three miles to the sou'westward. Von Loringhoven, binoculars in hand, clambered upon the flat top of the conning-tower, and having searched the horizon with his glasses, focussed them upon the approaching vessel.
Satisfying himself that the tramp was alone, and noting the fact that she carried a puny gun mounted for'ard and perhaps one aft—although from the way the vessel was pointing it was impossible to verify the suggestion—von Loringhoven descended from his elevated position and shouted orders to the men on deck to go below.
"I am about to torpedo that ship, Kuhlberg," announced the ober-leutnant, after he had followed his men into the interior of the steel hull and had closed the watertight hatch in the conning-tower.
The unter-leutnant regarded his superior with undisguised surprise.
"Is it wise, Herr Kapitan?" he asked. "I thought you had decided not to trouble about any vessel until we have attacked the 'Tantalus'?"
"Do not question your commanding-officer's decisions," snapped von Loringhoven. "The vessel will be sunk without leaving a trace, and there will be few survivors. Those few I will make good use of during the next day or two."
"Gunfire, Herr Kapitan?"
Von Loringhoven turned away from his subordinate and jerked down one of the levers actuating the valves of the diving tanks. Hans Kuhlberg, thinking that the ober-leutnant had not heard the question, repeated it.