Lord Hastings was silent for some moments, but said finally: "I guess we might as well cruise about here. Some of these other fellows are likely to come sneaking out, and we may nab them." "If you please, sir," said Frank, "I believe I have a better plan than that." "Let's have it," said his commander briefly. "Well," said Frank, "these German submarines have been making raids on the coast of England. What's the matter with our doing a little of that kind of work?" "By Jove!" said Jack. "A good idea. What do you say, sir?" turning to Lord Hastings. Lord Hastings was plainly undecided. It was evident that he looked with some favor upon the plan, but he hesitated, not because of fear, but rather because he was not entirely certain that it could be accomplished successfully. "Where would you plan to make an attack?" he asked of Frank. "Why, right in Heligoland, sir." "But the mines?" Frank shrugged his shoulders. "The Germans don't pay much attention to our mines," he said. "Well, no, they don't, that's true," agreed Lord Hastings. "Besides," said Jack, "we can go beneath the mines." "I guess we could do that," agreed Lord Hastings. "While we cannot tell just where the mines lay, we have, nevertheless, a first-class map of Heligoland and the sea surrounding, and by paying careful attention we may be able to get through safely." "Then we shall make the attempt, sir?" asked Frank eagerly. Lord Hastings smiled. "Yes," he said quietly. "Good!" cried Jack and Frank in a single voice. "It has always seemed strange to me," said Frank, "why such an attempt has not been made before. The Germans do it. Why haven't we?" "Well," said Lord Hastings, "I suppose the main reason is that Heligoland is too far away." "But the Germans have done it," said Jack. "True; but you must remember they have established a naval base at Ostend; and the distance from Ostend to Dover, and other British coast towns, is not as great as from the British coast to Heligoland." "I hadn't thought of that," said Frank. "However, I know this much. In every war in which the United States has engaged, some such desperate attempt has resulted successfully. Take Dewey at Manila, or Farragut at Mobile Bay. Both went right in, regardless of mines and forts." "That is true," said Lord Hastings. "No one can dispute the bravery and daring of the American sailor. Nevertheless, it has always seemed to me to be foolhardy. Had it been absolutely necessary, it would have been different. But a blockade would have been just as effective." "I don't know about that," replied Frank. "Ever since the beginning of this war I have wondered why a British fleet didn't try to get at the Germans." "Well, as nearly as I can make out," said Lord Hastings, "it is because it has been believed unnecessary to take such a chance."