rbors 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.

"Then, if they have a base anywhere along the coast we ought to be there
before tomorrow at this time?" ventured Alfred.

"That is exactly what I mean," answered the captain.

CHAPTER VI

GROPING THROUGH THE ENGLISH CHANNEL

There was a steady pulsation of the engines during the entire afternoon
without cessation until five o'clock, when the submarine submerged and
continued under water for an hour. The three captives had now learned a
great many of the manoeuvers incident to the diving operations, the
signals accompanying each action, and studied with the greatest
diligence and care the direction indicator and inclinometer.

"I have been noticing the indicator for the last hour," said Ralph, "and
it didn't change once. Are we going due north?"

"The indicator that you see is not for the purpose of showing the points
of the compass, but to tell whether or not there is a turning m