"Yes. It must be broken. Let me have yours, Herr Lieutenant. I have not given the signal in completeness, and——"
"I left my light in the stateroom. I'll go and——"
But the lieutenant never finished that sentence. Across the dark and silent ocean came a dull report—an explosion that seemed to make the Jeanne tremble. And then the sky and the water was lighted by the flashing beams of powerful lights.
"What was that?" gasped Joe, while from the crouching figures in the bow came exclamations of dismay. "Are we torpedoed?"
"I fancy not," answered Blake. "Sounded more like one of the destroyers made a hit herself. I think they set off a depth charge against a submarine. We'll soon know! Look at the lights now!"
The sea was agleam with brilliant radiance.
CHAPTER XII
IN ENGLAND
From the bridge came commands to the lookouts stationed in various parts of the French steamer. Orders flashed to the engine room, and the vessel lost way and floated under her momentum. As yet she was shrouded in darkness, the only lights glowing being those actually required to enable persons to see their way about. Below, of course, as long as the incandescents were shaded, they could be turned on, and many passengers, awakened by the concussion and the following sounds, illuminated their staterooms.