"You may," was the reply, and Lord Hastings motioned Jack to resume his seat.
"I would suggest, then, sir," said Frank, "that, for the time being, matters be allowed to stand as they are. Now that we know their plans, they can do no damage. In fact, by a little judicious juggling of the wireless we might even be able to turn the presence of the plotters here to our advantage."
"Why, sir," explained Frank, "suppose they are furnished with wrong information? Not knowing that they are discovered, they will continue with their plans. Lieutenant Taylor said that the success of their plan would mean the destruction of the British North Sea fleet. Evidently they intend, through the 'fake' message he spoke of, to lead the fleet into a trap when they believe the time is ripe."
"My idea exactly," interrupted Lord Hastings; "but go on."
"Well, they must be allowed to gain a certain amount of authentic information, so as not to arouse their suspicions. But, at the proper time, we must see that they get such false information as will lead them to believe it is time for them to act. In some manner, probably by wireless, Lieutenant Taylor plans to communicate with the German fleet at Helgoland. That is why our operator must be disposed of. They must be allowed to do this."
"So that false plans of the British fleet having been sent to the Germans--false plans that we must prepare carefully--we shall trap the German fleet, or a portion of it, instead of being trapped ourselves. In this manner we may be able to strike the first naval blow of the war."
"You mean that we may succeed in drawing the German fleet into the open?"
"Yes, sir. Of course Admiral Jellicoe must be informed of how matters stand and how they progress, so that he may act in conjunction with us."
For fully half an hour Lord Hastings sat twirling his thumbs, turning this scheme over in his mind. Neither Frank nor Jack interrupted his meditations, both awaiting his decision anxiously.
"The only difficulty I can see in your plan," said Lord Hastings finally, "is how we shall get word to Admiral Jellicoe without the plotters overhearing. You say Hardy is an operator?"
"Yes," replied Frank, "but whenever we are ready to send a communication to Admiral Jellicoe that we do not wish overheard, or to any other place, it will be very simple for Lieutenant Taylor, and Hardy also, to be ordered to some duty at the far end of the vessel at that moment."