"How soon do you plan to start?" Lord Hastings inquired of Captain Nicholson. "Immediately," replied the commander of the submarine Y-3. "And how long do you figure it will be before you can return here?" "Not more than thirty-six hours." Lord Hastings turned to the two lads. "You had better take a few clothes with you," he told then. "Do you prepare now, while I have a few words with Captain Nicholson." The lads hastened to their own quarters, and rapidly threw a few belongings together, so anxious were they to be off. "Lord Hastings is a brick!" exclaimed Jack. "I should say he is!" agreed Frank. "He agrees to wait in this outlandish spot two days just to give us this opportunity. How many other commanders do you suppose there are who would go to all that trouble?" "Not many," replied Jack dryly. "I guess not. Are you ready;"' "Yes." "Come on then, let's go back to Lord Hastings' cabin." Captain Nicholson was already on his feet, ready to go, when the lads re-entered the commander's cabin. "I see it didn't take you long," he observed. "We are very anxious to go, sir," Jack explained. "They are always quick and prompt," said Lord Hastings. "An excellent trait," commended Captain Nicholson. Lord Hastings accompanied Captain Nicholson and the two lads to the rail. "All you two lads have to do," he said, "is to, look on. You are not supposed to do any fighting, just keep out of everybody's way and make no trouble. Also, keep out of mischief." "Very well, sir," replied Jack. The three clambered over the rail and dropped into the little boat that was rising and falling gently with the swell of the waves on the sea below. Quickly the launch put off toward the submarine. Lord Hastings raised his voice and shouted after them. "I'll wait here until you return. Don't be gone any longer than you can help." "We'll be back within the time I mentioned," Captain Nicholson called back. Lord Hastings signified that he was satisfied, and waved his hand to the departing boat. Jack and Frank waved in return. CHAPTER XXIV UNDER THE SEA AGAIN "I have not yet told the men what I propose to do," Captain Nicholson informed the boys, ass they made their way aboard the Y-3. Captain Nicholson introduced the lads to the man at the helm. "Old Jansen," he said with a flourish of his arm. The boys acknowledged this introduction, and Old Jansen touched his cap. "Jansen," said the commander, "we are going to attack the Turkish battleships at the mouth of the Euphrates." The old man let out a siren-like yell, and turned crimson all over his pink and white face. Captain Nicholson turned the submarine over to him, and, followed by the two lads, made his way below. "I never knew eighteen throats could make so much noise," said Frank to Jack, after the crew had been informed of their project. And it was indeed a terrific noise the men made when they learned they were about to go into action.