"They know we are here now," he said, "and they'll be after us. Therefore we had better get down. We'll stay around for a while and see if we cannot be of some help to Frank. We may be able to maneuver so as to avoid detection." "When it comes to that," said Jack, "we might as well be here as any place else. I should say that there is considerable work we could do hereabouts, and if we can avoid the enemy we can make it pretty warm for them." "You are right," replied Lord Hastings, "but we shall have to be very careful, for, knowing we are here, they will undoubtedly have every ship in these waters looking for us." "Well," said Jack, "why should we wait for them to act? Why can't we strike the first blow?" Lord Hastings looked at him quizzically. "Just what do you mean by that?" he asked. "Why," said Jack, "torpedo one of them right now." "I am afraid you are a little hot headed yourself," said his commander with a faint smile. "I should say that that is just what they expect us to do, and for that reason I am opposed to such action. Never do the expected, is my motto. It is the unexpected that counts." "Perhaps you are right," agreed Jack; "still I would like to get at a few of them." "Don't fret," said Lord Hastings, "you shall have your chance." Meanwhile, what of Frank? Immediately the launch had returned to the German cruiser, the lad was hurried over the side and taken to the commander's cabin. The latter received him courteously and motioned him to a seat. "And how, if I may ask," he inquired, "do you happen to be in the middle of the Kiel canal?" Frank smiled slightly. "I came in a submarine," he replied. "So I have perceived," said the commander. "But I was unaware England had established a submarine base anywhere near German territory." "Neither has she, to my knowledge," said Frank. "Then how did you get here? Surely you must have a base." "Our base," said Frank, "was London." "What?" exclaimed the German, jumping to his feet. "You sit here and tell me a thing like that? Surely you can't think I don't know that a submarine cannot operate that distance from her base." "Nevertheless, it is true," replied Frank quietly. "But your air supply, your torpedoes, your provisions," exclaimed the German commander. "Those we carry with us," said Frank. "Then," said the German sarcastically, "yours must be a very remarkable submarine." "So it is," replied Frank. "Well, it will be impossible for her to get away," said the German. "We have her bottled up, and all we need do is wait until she comes to the surface to replenish her air tanks; then we can sink her." "You'll have a long wait," said Frank. "She doesn't have to come up for that purpose." "What do you mean by that?" "Just what I say. The submarine to which I am attached carries no air tanks except those to be used in case of an emergency." "No air tanks! Then how do you get air?"