Then in the space of a few seconds a mysterious voice had spread its tragic story over hundreds of miles.

A submersible had just appeared a short distance from the _Californian_ and had fired several shells at it.

The English boat was trying to escape, relying on its superior speed.

Then the submarine had fired a torpedo....
All this had occurred in twenty minutes.

Suddenly the echoes of the distant tragedy were extinguished as the communication was cut off.