"Well," said Lord Hastings, "we'll go closer and see, although there is nothing we can do for them." The object of this conversation lay almost due west, a trifle north. The head of the D-16 was consequently turned slightly, and she made for the vessel at top speed. The three officers remained upon the bridge, barely rising above the water, and at last they were able to make out the ship. "Merchantman, all right!" said Jack. "Yes!" exclaimed Frank, becoming suddenly excited, "and do you make out her colors?" Jack took another look. "By Jove!" he exclaimed. Lord Hastings also raised his glass to his eyes again, then started back with an exclamation of surprise. "They have gone too far this time," he said slowly. "This means trouble." For the colors flying at the masthead of the sinking merchant ship were the Stars and Stripes! "The United States will not let them get away with anything like that," declared Frank vehemently. "Don't be too sure," replied Lord Hastings. "Remember the incident of the firing of Turkish forts upon an American battleship launch at Beirut. Nothing came of that." "But," protested Frank, "it is inconceivable that the United States will not take action if a German submarine has sent one of her merchant ships to the bottom." "Looks like an act of war to me," said Jack. "Germany will probably claim," said Lord Hastings, "that the ship did not stay within the established safety channel, or else deny that a German submarine is responsible." "She might do the latter," said Frank, "but I don't believe the United States would accept the former explanation." But the United States eventually did, as it developed later, although she lodged a formal protest through her ambassador at Berlin. "B-o-s-n-i-a," Frank spelled out the name of the sinking ship, as the D-16 drew closer. "I wonder if her crew is safe?" he asked anxiously. Lord Hastings pointed across the water. "You can see some of them in the small boats," he said. "I hope they all get away. The submarine must have torpedoed them without warning." "I haven't any doubt of that," said Frank, "although it is against all rules of civilized warfare." "I do not claim that the Germans are conducting a civilized war," said Lord Hastings quietly. "The tales of cruelties coming out of Belgium augur decidedly against that." At this juncture a fourth figure ascended to the bridge. It was that of the German prisoner. He took in the situation at a glance, and turned to Lord Hastings with a faint smile. "A victim of the blockade, I suppose?" he questioned. Lord Hastings nodded. "Looks like it," he said briefly, "and an American ship at that." The German muttered an imprecation under his breath. "I was afraid something like that would happen," he said. "I never was in favor with the policy of torpedoing neutral ships, whether in the blockaded zone or not. To my way of thinking, no good can come of it."