There was a hoarse command from aboard the submarine, and a
moment later a small boat floated alongside the two German
officers who clambered in. Frank and Jack swam toward them as
rapidly as their exhausted condition would permit.

"What are you two lads doing here in the middle of the North
Sea?" asked one of the officers in great surprise, after the boys
had been pulled aboard the small boat.

"We're here because our ship was sunk by one of your blamed
torpedo boats," replied Jack, with some heat.

"Only one sunk?" inquired the officer in excellent English.

"Just one; it seems to me that is enough."

"Well, I agree that it is better than none," said the German
officer. "We'll sink them one at a time. How many of our ships
engaged you?"

"Four," replied Jack briefly, now beginning to smile to himself,
for he saw the German did not know what had happened.

"Which way did they go?" demanded the German.

"Straight to the bottom," replied Jack, with a note of
thankfulness in his voice.

"What!" exclaimed the officer, starting to his feet.