in their kits the boys could not account.

For some time the lads remained in the cabin, drying the uniforms of the
swimmers and exchanging experiences. It was the opinion of all that they
would be adopting a wise course to return at once to New York.

Captain von Kluck was greatly interested in his strange passengers. He
listened eagerly to Frank's account of the doings of the strange
submarine. At the conclusion of the recital he paced the deck nervously.

Not until midafternoon did the wind decrease sufficiently to permit the
Lena Knobloch to venture forth from her position of shelter.

Through the binoculars the boys made long examinations of the steamer
lying to windward of their position. They determined that preparations
were being made to send a boat's crew to some port for assistance in
towing the crippled vessel to a harbor.

At one bell, or half past four o'clock, Captain von Kluck came from his
cabin. He stepped to the rail, sniffing at the wind. Presently he turned
to join the mate in his walk across the deck.

For some minutes the two conversed in low tones. Directly the mate
stepped forward, bawling out orders to his men.

At once all was commotion on the Knobloch's decks. Men tumbled eagerly
about, hauling a line here, letting go another there, until they had set
the double reefed mainsail, foresail and a mere rag of jib.

When this had been accomplished all hands seized capstan bars. To the
tune of a Dutch sailors' "chanty" the links of the cable slowly clanked
inboard. With a lurch the Lena Knobloch swung as the anchor broke ground.
Like a storm driven bird she was off in the wings of a northwester, lying
far over even under the greatly reduced sail.

"Where to now, Captain?" asked Ned as von Kluck stepped along the deck
with head bent forward. By his manner of nervous intentness Ned guessed
that the captain was carrying a load on his mind.

Von Kluck's only response was a growl as he passed the boys.

"Captain's grouchy!" declared Jimmie. "Leave him alone, Ned!"

"Sure, don't bother him!" added Frank. "He's worried enough!"

"Just the same, I don't like his looks!" stated Ned with some degree of
apprehension. "He seems to have soured after hearing about the 'U-13.'
Didn't you fellows notice how he listened to Frank's story?"

"Sure we did," Jimmie replied, "but then, it's only natural that he
should be worried over the possibility of losing his vessel!"

"Well, his getting under way in