"Enough of this!" broke in the second German officer.
"Lieutenant Stein, you forget yourself, sir. And as for you,
sir," turning to Jack, "you show no better taste."

"I beg your Pardon," said Jack. "I wouldn't have said anything
if he hadn't egged me on."

Lieutenant Stein was equally repentant.

"I apologize," he said quietly to Jack. "I should not have
spoken as I did."

"Say no more about it," said Jack. "I was just as much to
blame."

Frank now broke into the conversation.

"What vessel is this?" he asked, pointing to the low-lying bulk
of the submarine, against which the small boat now scraped.

"German submarine X-9," replied Lieutenant Stein, "where, until
we put into port again, you will be our prisoners."

The four now clambered to the top of the submarine. Lieutenant
Stein led the way to the entrance through the combined bridge and
conning tower, and all went below. At the foot of the short
flight of steps stood a man in captain's uniform.

"The sole survivors of a British cruiser, sir," said Lieutenant