"Exactly."

"But surely," Frank put in, "surely our blockade is tight enough to
prevent the enemy from breaking through."

"We have not yet found means," replied Lord Hastings, "of effectually
blockading the submarine."

"Oh, I see," said Frank. "You mean that the Germans plan to open a
submarine campaign upon allied shipping in American waters."

"Such is my information," declared Lord Hastings.

"And," said Jack, "you wish us to cross the Atlantic and take a hand in
the game of taming the U-Boats, sir."

"Such is my idea," Lord Hastings admitted. "Let me explain. My information
is not authentic, but nevertheless, knowing the Germans as I do, I am
tempted to credit it."

"Then why not warn the United States, sir?" asked Frank. "There are enough
American ships of war off the coast to deal effectually with all the
submarines the Germans can get across."

"So I would," was Lord Hastings' reply, "but for the fact that some
officials of the admiralty are opposed to it."

"Opposed?" exclaimed Jack. "And why, sir?"

"Because they labor under the delusion that such a warning would throw the