feboat, wrecking and sinking her. This done, the German
seamen followed their officer in through the manhole, which was closed.

For at least two miles the submarine moved along on the surface, then,
slowly, began to submerge. One of the Danish sailors on deck set up a
howl of fright when he found his shoes six inches under water. The cry
was taken up by the other sailors with him.

The water rose to their knees--higher. The conning tower settled down
into the sea, and the wretched sailors of the captain's boat were left
floundering in the water, without life-belts or anything buoyant to keep
them afloat.

The last vestige of the submarine vanished, leaving more than a dozen
despairing men to flounder and to die, for the "Rigsdak's" other boats
were now too far distant to see what had happened.

Going below, Dave and his friends from the "Rigsdak" were conducted into
a tiny wardroom behind the mess table at which sat a frowning, leering
German ober-lieutenant.

"A ship's master who did not like us well enough to bring his papers and
his instruments," barked this commanding officer of the sea-hornet. "An
Englishman and his young wife, eh? But we have here--?"

"An American naval officer," replied the younger German officer.

For some reason the ober-lieutenant's manner changed. He looked Dave over
curiously, but without the same ferocity.

"Be good enough to be seated," he said, with a wave of the hand toward a
chair. "Let these swine stand!"

But Dave chose to remain on his feet. Again the ober-lieutenant turned to
him, though with comparative courtesy.

"I offered you a seat, sir. I trust you will avail yourself of the
invitation."

"I cannot seat myself, sir," Darrin answered, stiffly, "while a lady is
forced to stand."

"Then the woman will have a seat too," replied the ober-lieutenant, with
a contemptuous glance in Mrs. Launce's direction. But that young
Englishwoman met his look of contempt with a glance that beat the German
at his own game, and remained on her feet.

"Oh, very well," said the German commander, carelessly. "Now, I will
enter in my log the name and other particulars concerning the master of
the 'Rigsdak.'"

Captain Kennor accordingly supplied the particulars, which were written
down.

"The English cattle next!" ordered the ober-lieutenant, gruffly.

Mr. Launce therefore stated the names, ages and residence of himself and
wife.

"Your reason for travelling?" rasped the German co