with Simpson, the engineer, and both
rolled to the floor.

"I say! What's the matter here?" demanded Simpson angrily. "What are you
jumping on me for?"

"I didn't mean to do it," replied Davis, sitting up; and then getting to
his feet.

"And what are you doing in here, anyhow?" demanded the engineer. "No one
is allowed in this room."

"I didn't know where I was going," responded Davis.

He leaped suddenly forward, and seizing a heavy iron poker, brought it
down heavily on Simpson's head. The man crumpled up on the floor.
Quickly Davis whirled about and locked the door, even as Lord Hastings
and Jack threw their weight against it. Then Davis laughed aloud.

"Stand back there!" he cried. "Stand back, or I'll smash this machinery
so none of us will ever reach the surface."

Frank was for smashing in the door regardless of this threat, but Lord
Hastings seized his arm.

"Hold on!" he exclaimed. "The man is crazy enough to do it. We shall
have to seek some other method of overcoming him."

"And how are we to get him, unless we go after him, I'd like to know?"
the lad demanded angrily.

"There must be some way," was the reply. "We'll wait."

He took Frank by the arm and led him away.

Lord Hastings immediately made his way to Jack's side.

"Shape your course east now, Mr. Templeton," he instructed, "and give
the command to rise to the surface."

Jack asked no questions and did as instructed.

"We'll have to take a chance on being clear of the enemy when we go up,"
Lord Hastings explained. "But we've got to get Davis out of that engine
room the first thing we do."

"And how do you figure to do that, sir?" asked Frank.

"By giving him a clear path to the bridge," replied Lord Hastings. "I
have no doubt that when he finds we are upon the surface he will leave
his retreat and go on deck; then, if there is land in sight, he probably
will leap overboard and swim for it."

"But you will not permit him to get away, sir?"

"Not if I can help it. However, I would rather have him escape than let
him send us to the bottom; and I have no doubt he will reason along that
line. Now, when we reach the surface, we will go to my cabin and remain
there until we hear him pass my door."

A few moments later the U-6 emerged from the depths and the three
immediately went to Lord Hastings' cabin and closed the door behind
them. Lord Hastings gave an exclamation of dismay as he gazed about.

"You certainly did a good job wi