"You're wrong this time, sir," said Frank to Lord Hastings. "The commander is going." "I don't believe it," was the reply. "Well, he is, sir. He----" Frank broke off suddenly, for there were new developments aboard the sinking battleship. At the very side of the ship the commander hung back. The other officers protested. The captain was adamant. Again the others sought to seize him by the arms. But the commander had anticipated this action, and he leaped lightly backward, at the same time presenting a brace of revolvers. The others halted in their tracks. Now the commander motioned the others over the side, gesticulating with his weapons. The others shook their heads. The commander raised both revolvers and pointed each at one of his officers. Still they shook their heads. "By Jove!" said Frank. "There are three of them going to stick now!" "He shouldn't allow that," said Lord Hastings. "He is still the commander of the vessel. He has the privilege of staying if he chooses, but he should order the others off the ship." "He has, sir, but they refuse to go." "Then he should insist." "He's even threatened them, sir. But they won't go." "Well, it's their funeral," said Lord Hastings briefly. The German commander had now given up his attempt to force the others to leave the ship; and the three men stood quietly upon the bridge, awaiting the end. And it came suddenly. The German battleship suddenly seemed to leap clear of the water--the result of a second explosion, the sound of which was again barely audible to those aboard the D-17--and came down in twain. The afterpart of the vessel disappeared beneath the water almost immediately, but in some unaccountable manner, the portion forward still floated. It was upon this that the three officers stood. Each man stood erect, his face tilted a trifle toward the sky. The huge flashlights from the other vessels in the harbor lighted them up plainly, and Frank could see that each of the three was smiling. Slowly now what was left of the battleship sank, the center of a broad circle of brilliancy. Down, down. Now the water had reached almost to the bridge. Now the officers stood in water up to their knees. Then the wreck dived. Frank relinquished his place at the periscope to Lord Hastings, remarking: "Well, she's gone; and three brave men with her." There was no reply to this remark. Suddenly the water close to the D-17 splashed violently. Lord Hastings looked about sharply. Again the water was kicked up, this time on the starboard how. "They've spotted us," said the commander of the D-17. "Every ship in the fleet is bearing down on us. Submerge to five fathoms, Mr. Templeton." Jack repeated the command and the D-17 dived. "Now what, sir?" asked Frank. "It's too risky to tackle any more of them," was the reply. "We'll make for the Kiel Canal." "The Kiel Canal?" "Yes; we are headed for the Baltic." "But----" began Frank.