the
surface here every night, awaiting their return."

"In that event the chances are that most every one aboard is asleep,"
remarked Lord Hastings.

He gave the command for _The Hawk_ to proceed.

"What are you going to do, sir?" asked Frank.

"See if we can't capture her," replied Lord Hastings quietly.

Frank gave a low whistle. It was a plan after his own heart, but he was
keenly sensitive to the danger that it involved.

"Very well, sir," he said quietly.

"This," declared Jack, manifesting a show of enthusiasm, "is where we
have a little fun."

CHAPTER XIII.

A DESPERATE VENTURE.

There was not a sound aboard the submarine as _The Hawk_ grated
alongside. To climb aboard the silent vessel, which lay so low in the
water, was a simple task. Lord Hastings went first and Frank and Jack
followed in order. Behind the latter came Edwards and behind him three
sailors, Allen, O'Brien and McDonald.

For a brief moment they stood silently upon the deck, each with a
revolver in his hand. Then Lord Hastings led the way to the conning
tower, which was open, and descended. The others were close behind him.

At the foot of the companionway Lord Hastings paused again, straining
his ears for a sound. None came. He motioned the others to follow him
and led the way aft.

At the extreme afterpart of the vessel he paused before a door on the
port side. From within came the sound of voices.

Lord Hastings laid a hand on the knob and surveyed those behind him.

"All ready?" he asked.

"Ready, sir," replied Jack quietly.

With a sudden movement Lord Hastings jerked open the door and stepped
quickly within.

"Hands up!" he called sharply.

Four men sat at a table in what appeared to be the commander's cabin.
They looked up from their game at Lord Hastings' gruff command and
seeing but a solitary figure, all dropped their hands to their side.

"Hands up!" commanded Lord Hastings again.

Instead of obeying this command, one man produced a revolver, shouting:

"There is only one! Shoot him!"

But Lord Hastings' revolver spoke first and the officer tumbled over.
The other three had now drawn their weapons and one fired at Lord
Hastings. The shot went wild and Lord Hastings dropped him with a second
well-directed bullet.

At this moment Jack and Frank sprang into the room. They saw Lord
Hastings confronted by two enemies and they acted instantly and before
the Germans could do so.

The revolvers of both