The captain could not help feeling amused at Alfred's argument, as he replied: "I must admit that your view is logical, and I am also willing to assent that the question is one, which, in the absence of actual knowledge, could be settled in one way only." "How is that?" asked Ralph. "By knowing the mental condition and attitude of the officer who came down the hatchway. If he happened to be a humane person he would regret the loss of life, and show it, probably, by his actions. On the other hand, if he should be devoid of the finer feelings, and be a mere slave to duty, it is more than likely that he would shake his head discouragingly, to learn that the torpedo failed in its mission," was the captain's final word on the subject. "Now that they are out of torpedoes, what do you suppose they will do?" asked Ralph. "Go home; I suppose," replied Alfred. "Unless they have a base somewhere on the coast," replied the captain. "Where is the most likely place for such a base?" asked Ralph. "That is the enigma, of course. It has been believed that the Germans have a base somewhere along the northern coast of Spain," said the captain. "What are the reasons for thinking so?" asked Alfred. "One of them is that some of the Spaniards are said to be more or less friendly to the Germans, and, furthermore, there are few ports or harbors on the north coast, hence the shipping to Spain in the southern waters of the Bay of Biscay is very small, a condition which would help to keep a base along the coast line at one or more points." "But we ought to know in the next day or two whether they have such a base," said Ralph. "Yes; it will be the opportunity now for us to make some observation which will tell us whether we are going to Germany, or not," said the captain with a grin. Situated, as they were, below decks, with no instruments but the direction indicator, and the inclinometer in sight, it was impossible to judge of the direction they were going, for it was evident that the submarine was now moving ahead at full speed. "It will be, probably, twenty-four hours before we are able to get any information as to our destination," said the captain. "Do you intend to ask some of the men?" inquired Alfred. "No; that would be fruitless. It is not at all likely they will venture any information upon a subject of that character," replied the captain. "Then how would it be possible to learn anything about where we are going?" asked Ralph. "We are now somewhere in the Bay of Biscay, and I infer that we must be about a hundred and fifty miles from the Spanish coast. To reach that at the rate we are going, would take at least ten hours, for I assume that the vessel is capable of at least ten miles an hour. Then, we must take into consideration the possible meeting with vessels, in which case we must submerge, and thus go much slower," said the captain.