Jack stepped to the periscope and peered through. Less than a quarter of a mile away floated a mass of débris, all that was left of the Austrian submarine. "You are sure that is part of her?" asked Jack. "Positive," was the reply. "You can see part of her periscope among the wreckage." Jack took another long look. "You are right, sir." "We may as well rise to the surface," said Lord Hastings, and Jack gave the command. "Which way now, sir?" the lad asked. "Back to the fleet to report," was the reply. Jack descended below and gave the word. Then he went to his own cabin, and drawing his pocket knife, set to work cutting another notch in the table. Frank entered while his chum was engaged in this operation, but he did not interrupt until Jack had finished his task. "Well?" he asked, as Jack leaned back with a sigh of satisfaction. Jack looked up. "Well what?" he demanded. "How reads the score card?" asked Frank with a smile. "Score card?" "Yes, score card. What's the score; or, in the English of the British Isles, how many notches have you carved on that table?" "Oh," said Jack, "I see. Why didn't you ask that in the first place?" "Because," was the reply, "I am giving you a course in plain American. How many?" "Seven," said Jack briefly. CHAPTER XXIV. OFF FOR THE DARDANELLES. The chase of the Austrian submarine had been long and it was after nightfall when the D-16 again drew up in the shelter of the French fleet and Lord Hastings went aboard the flagship. "Well, we got her," were Lord Hastings' first words to the French admiral. "Good!" was the reply. "Tell me about it." Lord Hastings did so, and the admiral was loud in his praises of the D-16 and her crew. Then Lord Hastings bethought himself of the blowing up of the French cruiser. "Were all members of the crew saved?" he asked. "All but ten," was the reply. "They went down with the ship." "Poor fellows," said Lord Hastings; "still it might have been worse." "Yes, it might have been worse," replied the admiral, "and there might have been more sent to join them by the Austrian submarine had it not been for the gallant Lord Hastings and his crew." Lord Hastings waved aside this praise. "Come, come," he said, "we are too old in the service for such words. We do our duty as we see it, and that's all there is about it. Now if it comes to praise, I can remember the time when you----" "Enough!" cried the admiral, laughing. "As you say, we are too old in the service, you and I, for such words. Take the young fellows, now, and a word or two of praise, rightly spoken in the proper place, is an impetus to added bravery." "And ultimate death for their foolishness," said Lord Hastings slowly. "True; but what would you? Young blood, you know." "Well," said Lord Hastings, "I must be going. I shall leave you in the morning." "Headed which way?" asked the admiral. "For the Dardanelles, to join the allied fleet."