“We’ll try and run closer to him while we’re below.  They’ll be expecting us to go the other way, and if we are not seen the moment we come up we’ll take them at a disadvantage.  Of course, it’s a long chance, but we must do something.”

Ten minutes later he gave the order to rise again.  There was no response.  Again Lord Hastings gave the signal and still the U-6 failed to rise.

“What’s the matter?” demanded Lord Hastings quickly.

“Something wrong with the tanks, sir,” replied Jack hurrying up at that moment.  “I’ve just had Simpson out and he says he can fix the damage without going to the surface.”

“All right,” said Lord Hastings.  “Then we shall remain stationary until Simpson reports O.K.”

Fifteen minutes later Simpson completed his work and again Lord Hastings gave the signal to rise.  Slowly the U-6 moved upward.

Suddenly there was a shock that threw all on board to the deck, and the U-6 staggered.  For a moment her upward progress was stayed, but for a moment only; then she continued upward and suddenly flashed upon the surface.

Quickly Lord Hastings jumped to his feet, and unmindful of any danger he might encounter, dashed to the bridge.  Jack and Frank followed close upon his heels.  And there a peculiar sight met their gaze.

To leeward, not half a dozen rods away, lay The Vulture almost upon her side.  Half a dozen men were floating in the water and one still clung to the tilting vessel.

Frank uttered an exclamation of astonishment.

“So that’s what was wrong,” he ejaculated.  “We came up directly beneath her, sir.”

Lord Hastings nodded.

“And it seems to me we did a pretty good job,” he declared.  “Now——­”

The appearance of one of the crew on deck cut short his sentence.  The man approached and saluted.

“Well, sir?” questioned Lord Hastings.

“Boat leaking, sir,” was the reply.  “Two feet of water in the hold now, sir.  We can’t stop it.  We shall have to take to the boats, sir.”

Lord Hastings looked at the man in dismay for the space of several moments.  Then he said quietly: 

“All right, Jackson.  Get out the boats and order the men on deck.”

Again the man took the time to salute and then disappeared below.  A few moments later the full crew of the U-6 appeared on deck and the boats were quickly gotten out.

“Rifles and revolvers for each man,” ordered Lord Hastings.

The men already had armed themselves; so Lord Hastings gave the word to take to the boats.  This was done, and pulling away from the rapidly settling submarine, all turned their eyes again to The Vulture.

To their surprise The Vulture was not settling as fast as was the U-6 and several figures could still be seen struggling about on board.

“They are launching the boats, sir,” said Frank.