midnight, Thursday
`` Well , '' he said quietly , `` here are our orders , '' and he laid the paper on the table . `` Sit down . '' The lads did so , and Lord Hastings , seating himself , picked up the document , broke the seal , and read aloud : `` Captain Tarlenhein , `` Commanding H.I.S. U-16 : `` Proceed immediately , under command of Admiral Schuler , to Dover Bay , joining submarine flotilla there , to proceed to the Thames for attack British fleet . Flotilla to gather mile off Dover , midnight , Thursday . -LRB- Signed -RRB- `` SEIBERT . '' `` I should say that is plain enough , '' said Lord Hastings , looking up . `` Rather , sir , '' agreed Frank .