The Boy Allies Under the Sea Part 34

"Seems to me there is a terrible lack of vigilance hereabouts," declared Frank.

"It does look that way," Lord Hastings admitted. "However----"

There came a sudden interruption--the sound of a shot, and a bullet whistled overhead.

"Not such a terrible lack of vigilance, either," remarked Lord Hastings.

"I wonder where that shot came from?"

He gazed about but could see nothing in the darkness. Came a second shot from behind him, and turning, the two saw a little motorboat that had crept up behind them unnoticed.

"We surrender!" called Lord Hastings, fearing to take a chance that the next shot would miss.

The motorboat came toward them quickly.

"Who are you?" demanded a figure standing in the bow, and at this distance Lord Hastings could dimly make out that the man wore a British uniform.

"Friends," was the reply.

The British officer peered at them sharply, then noticed their German uniforms.

"Friends, eh," he said; "in those uniforms. Not likely. Climb into my boat."

Lord Hastings and Frank obeyed without a word, and at a command from the British officer the motorboat put about and headed sh.o.r.eward.

"Where are you taking us?" asked Lord Hastings quietly.

"None of your business," was the sharp response.

"So?" said Lord Hastings quietly. "I would advise you to speak more respectfully. I would not like to report you. I asked you a civil question and I would appreciate a civil answer."

"Well, I'll tell you, seeing that you are so anxious," replied the officer. "I am taking you to Admiral Fischer, at Dover, who, most likely, will know better how to attend to your case than I do."

"Most likely," repeated Lord Hastings. "And how long before we may expect to see the admiral?"

"About half an hour."

"Good!" And Lord Hastings whispered to Frank: "Plenty of time.

Fortunately I am well acquainted with Admiral Fischer."

CHAPTER XIX.

THE TRAP IS SET.

"Hastings!"

The exclamation was wrung from the lips of the astonished Admiral Fischer, in command of the naval forces operating about Dover.

"Right you are, Fischer," was Lord Hastings' smiling rejoinder, "though how you recognized me in all this German toggery is more than I can explain."

The admiral advanced and wrung Lord Hastings' hand.

"And why this German uniform?" he asked. "And who is this young man with you?"

"I'll answer the last question first," smiled Lord Hastings, "by presenting to your excellency, my second officer, Mr. Frank Chadwick."

Admiral Fischer acknowledged the introduction.

"Now for the answer to my other question," he said.

In a few brief words Lord Hastings explained. As he progressed with his recital Admiral Fischer became more and more astonished. And when Lord Hastings had concluded, the admiral burst out:

"And you mean to tell me the Germans have the temerity to attempt a raid in the very mouth of the Thames?"

Lord Hastings nodded.

"They certainly have," he said quietly, and he produced the order he had received from the German admiral.

Admiral Fischer scanned it closely.

"It's authentic enough," he said finally, "I know his signature well.

And this raid is to take place at midnight, eh?"

"Well, no. We are to gather at midnight. How long it will take to reach the mouth of the Thames you can figure yourself."

"I can," declared the admiral. "And I can also figure that if these submarines dare enter the Thames they will never get out."

"But you must figure better than that, Admiral. You must figure so they will be unable to do any damage. That's even better than figuring that they cannot escape after the damage is done."

"So it is," returned the admiral. "Have you a plan?"

"Why, yes! You must immediately order all warships and other craft now at the mouth of the Thames, further up river. Order a swift torpedo boat flotilla down the river--as many as are available--and have half a dozen torpedo boats--equipped with nets--to take their places behind the motorboat fleet."

"And then?"

"Well, the motorboats will attack the submarines as soon as they appear.

A few of them undoubtedly will be sunk. Then let the rest retire. The submarines, submerged by this time, will travel forward a bit. At this point have the torpedo boats, with nets stretched, proceed down each side of the river. Of course, the torpedo boats must advance at the moment the motorboats flee."

"But I should think the Germans are too wary to be caught in a trap like that."

"They won't be, because they expect the raid to be too unexpected for such details to have been arranged. Only one stipulation. Instruct all your officers under no circ.u.mstances to fire at the first submersible to move up the river."

"And why?" demanded the admiral.

"Chiefly," smiled Lord Hastings, "because I don't want to go to the bottom."