“Exactly.  It appears that passengers have been warned not to take passage on the Glasgow.  A warning has been circulated through the newspapers, the same as was done before the Lusitania sailed and was sunk.  This naturally leads to the belief that the Germans are planning to torpedo the Glasgow.  We are to be on hand to see that this does not happen.”

“I see, sir,” replied Frank.  “Is it just The Hawk, sir?”

“Well, no,” replied Lord Hastings. “The Hawk and nine other motorboats.”

“A regular fleet,” remarked Jack.  “I suppose the idea is for us to trail in behind the Glasgow?”

“Exactly.  You see the submarine, nine times out of ten, lying in wait for its victim, will come to the surface a short distance ahead of the steamer.  Now, in view of the furore that the sinking of the Lusitania caused in neutral countries, it is hardly to be expected the Glasgow will be torpedoed without warning.”

“But just how do we get at the enemy, sir?” demanded Frank.

“I’m coming to that.  When the submarine comes to the surface and gives warning for passengers and crew to leave the ship, we shall sneak out from behind at full speed.  Before the submarine can submerge, we shall be close enough to get her.  That’s why we carry such heavy guns.  One of us is bound to get her.”

“I see,” said Frank.  “Of course if the submarine could submerge in a moment, it wouldn’t be possible.”

“Exactly,” agreed Lord Hastings.

He led the way to the rail.

“See,” he said, waving a hand in the direction of the others of the motorboat fleet, “they are all getting ready for action.”

It was true.  There were signs of great activity aboard some of the other little vessels.  “Just overhauling to see that everything is shipshape,” said Lord Hastings.  “We may as well do the same.”

The next hour was spent in minute inspection of every part of the little craft and then Lord Hastings pronounced himself satisfied.

Hardly was the work completed, when Frank perceived a dark smudge upon the distant horizon.

“Vessel of some kind, sir,” he reported to Lord Hastings.

Lord Hastings gazed long and earnestly; and directly the shape of a large ship loomed up.

“The Glasgow,” he said quietly.  “All ready, boys.  Time to get busy.”

CHAPTER XII.

THE FIRST VICTIM.

As the steamship Glasgow drew nearer, the signs of activity among the various units of the motorboat fleet became more acute.  The little craft darted hither and thither, finally dividing into two sections, one section on each side of the channel through which the Glasgow steamed toward them.  When the big steamship had steamed past, the ten little boats fell into line behind her, moving swiftly forward, two abreast.