piece of luck!" rapidly signalled Jimmie to Ned.

"Keep cool!" cautioned Ned in reply. "Don't give it away!"

"Insist that we stay together on the job," returned Jimmie.

"You may be sure I shall do that!" came the answer instantly.

"I hope the storm increases!" was Jack's contribution.

"Now, gentlemen," announced the general, "if you are ready to proceed you
may accompany this man. He will direct you to the work."

Ned bowed in acknowledgment and the party turned to accompany the
orderly, who appeared in answer to the summons of his superior.

They were led away from the dock at which the Sturmvogel lay. In a short
time they had traversed a goodly distance toward the mouth of the harbor.
Their destination proved to be the building adjacent to the group of
submarine vessels. By inquiries both direct and indirect Ned and his
companions decided that the orderly was unable to comprehend English, but
for the sake of absolute safety they continued to use the sign language
largely in their conversation as they proceeded.

In a short time they had been admitted to the outermost craft, which lay
moored to its fellows. Communication had been established between the
vessels by means of a row of planks laid from deck to deck.

Once inside the submarine the boys made a hurried yet thorough
examination of every part, taking a complete inventory of the exact state
of affairs. Frank and Jimmie managed to overhaul the stores. Harry and
Jack looked over the mechanical equipment. Ned, with the plans in his
hands, went carefully over every detail of the electric system.

"I say, fellows," announced Ned at length, as all the lads met beneath
the hatch, "this wagon is nearly complete. It looks a lot like the
'U-13'!"

"That's what it does!" agreed Jimmie. "What more is needed?"

"A few pieces of wire and about an hour's work for me."

"Frank and I have found enough food to last a couple of months if we can
count hardtack, sausage, and the supply of canned goods."

"Jack and I," announced Harry, "have found the engines and pumps
apparently ready for duty in a moment. My idea is that they are trying to
get this vessel ready for a cruise at the first possible moment."

"It looks as if they are expecting a crew from some place and want the
boat ready for duty as soon as the crew arrives!" stated Ned.

Further conversation was cut short by the arrival of the orderly.

"Essen?" he inquired, pointing at his mouth and rubbing hi