U-16 at this juncture. A man in
the full uniform of a German lieutenant commander stepped aboard. Lord
Hastings advanced to meet him with extended hand.

Jack and Frank followed their commander closely.

CHAPTER XIV.

WITH THE ENEMY.

"I am Captain Bernstorff," said Lord Hastings quietly, "and you?"

"Lieutenant Commander Von Rosten, sir," replied the other, who could not
have been more than twenty-five years of age.

"Von Rosten, to be sure," replied Lord Hastings, affecting to recall the
name. "Allow me to present my friends, who are at present acting as my
officers."

He beckoned to Frank and Jack to approach.

"Lieutenant Papen," he said, introducing Jack; "and Lieutenant Bohring,"
indicating Frank.

The three acknowledged the introductions and then Lord Hastings
continued:

"I suppose you are wondering how I come to be in command of the U-16?"

"I am, sir," was the reply.

"And also," continued Lord Hastings with a smile, "you are no doubt
wondering just who I am anyway?"

"I must confess to that, too," answered the young German.

"Well, I can explain in a very few words," said Lord Hastings quietly.
"In the first place, I carry a number--you know what I mean?"

The German nodded.

"The secret service," he said quietly.

Lord Hastings gave him a glance of approval and the young man flushed.

"Exactly," replied Lord Hastings. "My friends here also carry numbers.
They are young, as you see, but they have proved themselves more than
once in His Majesty's service."

The young German bowed again.

"Now," continued Lord Hastings, "I shall take up the little matter of
how I happen to be in command of the U-16 and the unfortunate fate of
Captain Tarlenhein."

"Fate!" exclaimed Von Rosten.

"It is only too true," muttered Lord Hastings sorrowfully. "But he died
as a loyal servant of the Emperor. I shall explain."

"If you will," said the young German.

"Under command of Captain Tarlenhein," said Lord Hastings, "the U-16, as
you may possibly know, has been in the Irish Sea, and, at one time or
another, off the mouth of the Thames. Whether you knew it or not,
Captain Tarlenhein also carried a number. There was work to be done in
England.

"Of course, we already had our agents there--in fact, I was one of them,
and my two friends here. We were instructed to report to Captain
Tarlenhein aboard the U-16 at a certain time. We did so, the vessel at
that time lying off the Thames. Captain