Immediately their leader had made way for them, the other ships closed in and the fighting began anew, the new arrivals keeping the forts so busy that they had no time to pay further heed to the _Queen Elizabeth_, now farther up the strait, pouring her terrible shells into fortifications still farther along. "At this rate," said Frank, "we shall be in Constantinople almost before we know it." "Don't fool yourself," declared Jack. "Remember that in spite of the fact that the _Queen Elizabeth_ is having apparently an easy time with these fellows, it will not all be smooth sailing. As Lord Hastings says, the further we progress the stronger the forts." "I know; but she can stand off and batter them also." "The trouble is that she cannot approach so close, and will have to depend more than ever upon the aviators to get her range; and it is more dangerous for the aviators over the inner forts." "I suppose you are right," said Frank. "I hadn't thought of it in that way." "How long do you suppose it would take us to get through the Dardanelles, sir?" asked Frank of Lord Hastings. "Not long; why?" "And coming out the other end we are in the Sea of Marmora, are we not?" "Yes." "And Constantinople is just across that?" "Yes; but why these questions?" "I was just thinking. It wouldn't be such a terrible job, in a submarine like ours, to run to Constantinople and sink a couple of ships. That would frighten the authorities so much that it might prove a benefit to the fleet here." "True enough," said Lord Hastings. "But I don't believe we can afford to take such chances. If we should be sent to the bottom, we could never bring back the information we were after." "Oh, I'm wrong again, as usual," said Frank. "Don't think I am criticising," protested Lord Hastings. "The idea is first rate, and I feel certain we could get through in spite of the mines; but our first duty is to get the information we are sent out to obtain." "That is true, of course, sir," agreed Frank. Lord Hastings was lost in thought for some moments. Finally he said: "I'll tell you what I will do. If we are successful tonight in getting what we go after, we will take a little jaunt on our own hook tomorrow night." "Do you mean it, sir?" asked Frank eagerly. "I do," said Lord Hastings. "And we shall go to Constantinople?" "If it is humanly possible to get there, yes." Frank waved his hands in delight. "Hurrah!" he cried. "We'll show these Turks a few things." Even Jack was pleased, though he did not express his satisfaction in such a boisterous manner as did Frank. "Yes, we shall show them a few things," he agreed. "I wish this were tomorrow night," said Frank. "There you go again," said Lord Hastings with a smile. "Just as impatient as ever. You will never gain anything that way, and, besides, it does no good." "But I can't help it," protested Frank. "You will have to get over it some day," said Lord Hastings severely. "You might as well start now."