s Frank Chadwick."

There was no mistaking the menace in the lad's tones, and growling to
himself, Davis dropped his hands. Then, still muttering and keeping at
some distance, he slunk away, hurling over his shoulder:

"I'll get you for this yet. Remember that."

Frank did not take the trouble to reply, but instead approached Jack and
Lord Hastings.

"How are things, sir?" he asked.

"At a standstill," replied Lord Hastings. "The German is withholding his
fire, but there are still people on the liner. If he will restrain his
impatience for a few minutes everything will be all right."

"Perhaps he will, sir," said Jack hopefully.

"I trust so. It will be better for all concerned. Everything ready,
Frank?"

"All ready, sir. You're sure No. 2 torpedo has the range?"

"Perfectly. It will reach the enemy's bridge at its present angle."

"Could I have a look, sir?" asked Frank.

For a brief moment Lord Hastings hesitated, then stepped aside and
motioned Frank to his place at the periscope.

"Give the command to fire if anything happens," instructed Lord
Hastings.

Frank nodded, and placed his hand on the signal button, at the same time
peering into the periscope.

Above everything was perfectly plain. The lad could see that the captain
of the liner and some passengers still remained aboard; and, a short
distance away, he saw the German submarine, with her commander standing
upon the bridge, watch in hand.

Suddenly the German's watch closed with a snap. Frank drew a sharp
breath, for he realized what was coming. Slowly the German officer's
hand moved upward. Frank divined that he was about to give the signal to
fire a torpedo at the defenseless vessel.

Frank's heart leaped into his mouth; and he pressed the little button
beneath his finger. And once again the signal board on the U-16 glowed
red:

"Fire!"

CHAPTER XVII.

AN ARGUMENT SETTLED--TEMPORARILY.

There came a sharp, metallic click; and after it the silence of death
aboard the U-16 for a brief second while Lord Hastings took Frank's
place.

Then the German sailor who had launched the torpedo cried out:

"Did we hit her, sir?"

Lord Hastings took his eye from the periscope long enough to answer:
"Squarely on the bridge, my man."

The sailor gave a guttural exclamation of joy, in which his countrymen
joined. The three Englishmen had the presence of mind to say nothing.
Then one of the Germans turned to Edwards, who stood by him a