English flag."

"She is easily pleased, your betrothed," retorted the Oberleutnant, and
moved back from the periscope. "Your request is granted. But remember
I shall demand an introduction when we return.... It is a long shot.
Fire when the foremast comes on, and do not show the periscope more
than a few seconds at a time. I will give the orders after you have
fired."

The Second-in-Command took up his position in the spot vacated by the
Oberleutnant. His tongue worked ceaselessly about his lips and his
hand trembled on the elevating wheel.

"There is smoke astern," he said presently. And a moment later. "The
approaching ship looks like a liner, Herr Kapitan!"

"What of that?" said von Sperrgebiet gruffly.

The Second-in-Command looked back over his shoulder at his Commanding
Officer: his face was livid with excitement. "It means women, Herr
Kapitan," he said. "Children perhaps...."

Von Sperrgebiet shrugged his shoulders. "They are English," he
replied. "Swine, sow or sucking-pig--what is the difference? They
learn their lessons slowly, these English. We will drive yet another
nail into their wooden heads.... You will drive it, Ludwig," he added
thoughtfully: and then, as an afterthought, "for the honour of the
Fatherland."

"Thank you, Herr Kapitan," replied the youth, and turned again to the
periscope mirror. Silence fell upon the waiting men: the minutes
passed while the elevating wheel of the periscope revolved first in one
direction and then in another. At last the form of the
Second-in-Command stiffened.

"Fire!" he cried: his uncertain voice cracked into a falsetto note.

The stern of the Submarine dipped and righted itself again: the
Oberleutnant's harsh voice rang out in a succession of orders. The
Second-in-Command leaned against a stanchion and wiped his face with
his handkerchief.

A minute passed, and a dull concussion shook the boat from stem to
stern. Von Sperrgebiet showed his dog-tooth in that terrible mirthless
smile of his. "A hit, my little Ludwig!" he said.

The Second-in-Command clicked his heels together. "For the honour of
the Fatherland," he said. "Gott strafe England!"

"Amen!" said Oberleutnant Otto von Sperrgebiet.

The boat had been travelling in a wide circle after the torpedo left
the tube, and ten minutes later the Oberleutnant cautiously raised the
periscope. The next moment he swung the wheel round again in the
opposite direction.

"Another shi