"Well, I was sure we would get through safely, and we have," said Jack, as he peered off across the water. "And we have accomplished," said Lord Hastings, "such a feat as was never before attempted, and one that has been rated as impossible. You lads are both deserving of the greatest praise for your coolness and bravery." "No more than our commander, I am sure," replied Frank quietly. "Had it not been for you, the trip never could have been made." "But," said his commander, "had it not been for you lads, the trip would never have been thought of." "Well," said Frank with a laugh, "we'll call it square all around and let it go at that." "Suits me," declared Lord Hastings, also laughing. "It seems to me," said Jack, "that the crew is just as deserving of praise." "So they are," said Lord Hastings, "and I shall see that their names are given special mention in my report to the Admiralty." "Which reminds me," said Frank, "that we still have the German prisoner aboard." "By Jove!" exclaimed Lord Hastings. "Do you know I had forgotten all about him?" "What do you intend to do with him?" asked Frank. "Well," said Lord Hastings slowly, "I had intended giving him his liberty at the first opportunity. So far none has presented itself. If something doesn't turn up soon, I fear I shall have to turn him over to the Dover military authorities as a prisoner of war." Jack gave vent to an expressive whistle. "After what you have told him," he said, "that will make it rather hard." "So it will," admitted his commander, "but if half a chance turns up I shall see that he is set free. For had it not been for him, Frank, you would probably be imprisoned in Berlin right now." "That is undoubtedly true," said Frank, "and I am properly grateful." "We'll see," said Lord Hastings, and this put an end, for the time being, to the subject. Still running at full speed upon the surface, the D-16 was making rapid headway toward the British coast. "We had best be careful, sir," said Jack. "Remember what the prisoner told us about the submarine blockade." "Right," was the reply. "Of course there is a safety zone for the protection of neutral ships, but as we do not know just where these fellows are likely to be hanging about, we had better take a stitch in time and go down a ways." He turned to give the command, but before the words could leave his lips, he turned suddenly again at a cry from Frank. "What's up now?" he demanded. For answer Frank pointed straight ahead toward the distant horizon. "Looks like a ship in some kind of trouble, sir." Lord Hastings raised his glass to his eyes and peered through it long and intently. "She's in distress, that's sure," he said, lowering the glass at last. "But I can't make her out from this distance. She doesn't look like a ship of war, though." "Probably some merchantman victim of the German submarine blockade," said Jack. "That's about the size of it," Frank agreed.