The revolvers of both lads spoke simultaneously and both Germans dropped to the floor.

Jack sprang back to the door.

“Stand guard there, men!” he cried.  “There may be more of them.”

He jumped back to Frank’s side again, fearing that one of the fallen men might arise and return to the fray.  But these fears were groundless.  All four were beyond human aid, as Lord Hastings found after gazing at each sharply.

“Poor fellows,” he said sorrowfully, “but it was their lives or ours, and they wouldn’t yield.  Oh, well——­” he broke off with a shrug of his shoulders and turned to the lads.

“Search the vessel,” he commanded.  “There are probably others aboard.”

Jack and Frank hurried away in response to this command.  They went through the submarine from stem to stern, but nowhere were they able to find another living soul.

“Looks like those were the only ones aboard,” remarked Jack.

“It does,” agreed Frank.  “Maybe the men in the motorboats were part of their crews and they have been lying about here all these days waiting for them to return.”

“Well, I can’t guess the answer,” said Jack.  “But certainly there is no other German here.”

They returned and reported to Lord Hastings.

“Very well,” said their commander.  “Then the best thing we can do is to try and work this submarine back to port.  It is an important capture.”

“If you please, sir,” said Jack.  “I believe I can suggest a better plan than that.”

“And that is——­” prompted Lord Hastings.

“To assume the identities of these German officers, sir.  Or not necessarily to assume their identities, but just to take charge of the vessel as if we had been duly commissioned by the German government.  Then we can seek out the enemy’s naval base and perhaps gain information of importance.”

Lord Hastings looked at the lad in amusement for some moments before he replied: 

“By Jove!  You and Frank here do turn up some of the most remarkable ideas I have ever heard!”

“Then you don’t think much of the plan, sir?”

“I think so much of it,” replied Lord Hastings, “that I shall act upon it at once.”

Now it was Frank’s turn to show his enthusiasm.

“Hoorah!” he cried.

“That is,” Lord Hastings qualified his statement, “I shall act upon your plan if Mr. Chadwick here can restrain his enthusiasm.  Otherwise, I would be afraid to undertake the venture.”

“I’ll restrain it, sir,” declared Frank, subdued.

“Good!  See that you do,” returned Lord Hastings.  “Some of these days that enthusiasm of yours will get us all into trouble.”

“And what shall we do with these men, sir?” asked Jack, indicating the fallen Germans.

“Overboard with them, I suppose,” returned Lord Hastings.  “It’s where I expect to go when my time comes.  It’s as good a grave as another.”