eave
Germany to fight the world by herself."

"She'll never attempt that," Frank declared. "The minute she sees her last
chance gone, she'll squeal for help, the same as a hog. It's not in a
German to take a licking, you know. He begins to show, yellow when the
game goes against him."

"Perfectly true," said Jack, with a nod. "Now, it strikes me that Germany,
facing the problem of fighting it out alone--for she must see that
Bulgaria's action will soon be followed by her other allies--may send out
her fleet for a grand blow."

Frank shook his head.

"Not a chance," he said.

"But," said Jack, "it has been the opinion of war critics and experts
right along that Germany was saving her fleet for the final effort when
all other means had failed."

"I don't care what the experts think," declared Frank, "I don't think the
Germans will dare risk an engagement. In the first place, it would be
suicidal--she would have everything to lose and nothing to gain. Don't
fret. The German naval authorities know just as well as we do what would
happen to the German fleet should it issue from Helgoland."

"Maybe you're right," said Jack, "but in the enemy's place, I wouldn't
give up without a final effort."

"That's just it," Frank explained. "You wouldn't, and neither would I.
Neither, for that matter, would any British or American officer, nor
French. But the German is of different caliber. He doesn't fight half as
well when he knows the odds are against him. No, I believe that the German
fleet will be virtually intact when the war ends."

"Then we'll take it away from them," declared Jack.

"I'm sure I hope so. It would be dangerous to the future peace of the
world to allow the Germans to keep their vessels."

"Well," said Jack, "you can talk all you please, but you can't convince me
our work is over--not until peace has been declared--or an armistice
signed, or something."

"I agree with you there. There will be plenty of work for us right up to
the last minute."

As it developed the lads were right.

"It was shortly after midnight when Jack was aroused by the third officer.

"Message from Admiral Beatty, sir," said the third officer, and passed
Jack a slip of paper.

Jack read the message, which had been hastily scribbled off by the radio
operator.

"German squadron of six vessels reported to have left Helgoland and to be
headed for the coast of Scotland," the message read. "Proceed to intercept
them at full spe