EXPLANATIONS.
"By the by," observed Captain Restronguet, as he entered the cabin, "I
have already sent a reassuring message concerning you to the British
Admiralty."
"You have! How?" asked Hythe in astonishment. "You are not fitted with
wireless?"
"And why not? As a matter of fact we are; with one of the latest type
of Raldorf-Holperfeld instruments, which, as you know, do not require
out-board aerials. The message is received by an automatic recorder."
"And, might I ask, with whom do you communicate?"
"That need not be kept a secret from you, Mr. Hythe."
"Why not, sir?"
"Because I wish to detain you on board the 'Aphrodite' until I have no
further use for secret correspondents. My wish is law, Mr. Hythe, and
please to remember that. At the same time I wish to make your period of
enforced detention pass as pleasantly as possible, and you will have
complete facilities, up to a certain point, of gaining valuable
information that will in time to come amply recompense you for any
slight inconvenience that might arise."
"But my career? Remember, sir, I'm a naval officer."
"Of course. That is one reason why I think fit to keep you. Had you
been an ordinary or even an able seaman, I should have taken the first
opportunity of putting you ashore, with hardly any chance of your seeing
anything on board the vessel that might be put to my disadvantage. As
soon as I learned that you were a naval sub-lieutenant I made up my mind
to retain you as my guest for awhile."
"Then you are going to release O'Shaunessey?"
"Not at present. He, too, will serve a good purpose. He will be able
to corroborate my statement that you will be honourably treated."
"But that will be unnecessary. Surely my word----"
"I have every confidence in the word of an officer and a gentleman, Mr.
Hythe. But my proposals are rarely influenced by circumstances other
than the workings of Providence. You asked me a question concerning my
shore agents. The answer is this: so long as the Government bestows
licences upon private individuals to dabble in wireless telegraphy
experiments it is a simple matter to keep in touch with events ashore.
My principal agent lives in Highgate. He is a skilled operator, but he
has contrived to keep his capabilities masked under the role of a
harmless amateur. By advancing or retarding the spark of the powerful
coil of his instrument he can 'tap' any messages, whether from British
or foreign warships, within seven hundred miles, while on occasions he
has accurately read messages from Cape Race. Of course, most of the
naval messages are in code, and are unintelligible to the uninitiated.
Nevertheless I can learn all outside news from this particular agent
even when in the Mediterranean. For short distances we make use of
wireless telephony, and by this means I can communicate with trusty
agents in Devonport, Portsmouth, Sheet-ness and Chatham, and under
certain circumstances with Rosyth and Dundee."
"Why did you come to a standstill here?" asked the sub.
"To partially recharge our accumulators. Our motive power is
electricity. My invention in that direction is a revolution in marine
and submarine propulsion. We are now anchored."
"Anchored?" echoed Hythe. "How? I saw no anchors when I examined your
vessel from the outside."
"Anchoring, as we understand the term, consists of allowing the
'Aphrodite' to settle on the bottom of the sea. By lowering four steel
plates, inclined at an angle of forty-five degrees--the acute angle
facing aft--an almost irresistible brake, something after the principle
of the spade recoil brake of the French quick-firing field guns, is
formed. At this moment the ebb tide is swirling past at four knots.
The force of the current is turning our propellers, which, acting for
the time being on subsidiary shafting, drive the dynamos that in turn
replenish our accumulators."
"Then that means that every day you must recharge? How do you manage
when there is not sufficient tide to actuate the propellers?"
"My dear sir," replied Captain Restronguet, "I ought to have said that
we were _partially_ replenishing our reserve of electricity. At this
moment there is sufficient power on board to drive the 'Aphrodite' at a
speed of thirty-five knots on the surface or twenty when submerged, for
a continuous period of at least one hundred and twenty hours. We merely
take advantage of the opportunity to increase our reserve. But you are
not eating. Is my meagre fare not sufficiently tempting?"
"I am too interested to think about eating," replied Hythe. "But now
you mention it I feel quite peckish."
"We are obliged to do without fresh meat," said Captain Restronguet
apologetically. "Nevertheless I think you will find this dish of
pilchards excellent. Here is seakale sauce that by the skill of the
'Aphrodite's' cook can hardly be distinguished from asparagus. Roast
dog-fish, if you care to try it, you will find hard to believe anything
but beef-steak. By a certain process, simple to apply, all taste of
fish is eliminated."
Captain Restronguet helped his guest to a slice of dog-fish--a fish that
fishermen not so many years back generally threw back into the sea as
useless.
"Excellent," declared the sub. "However is this dish produced in this
guise?"
"Also by electricity," said Captain Restronguet calmly. "By applying a
certain form of current all the oily portions of the fish are destroyed,
leaving only the red corpuscles in the flesh."
Just then came a knock at the door, and in response to the captain's
permission to enter one of the crew appeared, holding an envelope in his
hand.
"H'm! Message from the wireless room--excuse me," remarked Captain
Restronguet, as he began to tear open the flap. "Shouldn't be
surprised, Mr. Hythe, if this doesn't concern you. Yes, listen:
'Secretary of Admiralty acknowledges Captain Restronguet's message re
safety of Sub-Lieutenant Arnold Hythe and Michael O'Shaunessey, A.B. If
genuine a message from the naval officer detained is requested. Reasons
are also desired why Captain Restronguet took forcible possession of two
of His Majesty's subjects.' Ha! That is a reasonable message."
"Reasonable?"
"Yes. The Admiralty are beginning to realize that I, Captain
Restronguet, am a person worthy of their consideration. That is more
than they did a few years' back. As a matter of fact I have had a
little quarrel with My Lords. Some day I will give you details; but
meanwhile I am continuing my harmless yet disconcerting tactics that
tend to prove how futile the defences of this country are against the
latest product of modern science. Yes, Mr. Hythe, the Secretary of the
Admiralty will have definite evidence before many hours have passed."
* * * * *
To go back to H.M.S. "Investigator": as soon as Hythe's appeal for help
was received the attendants on the diving-party began to haul in the
sub's life-line, but before five fathoms had been brought inboard a
sudden relaxation of the strain told them that the rope had been
severed.
"Be sharp, men! Blow him to the surface," ordered Egmont. "There's
something up down there."
"Mr. Hythe's just signalled for more air, sir," announced the seaman who
had charge of the telephone.
Rapidly the handles of the air-pump revolved. An increase in the number
and size of the bubbles rising to the surface was the only result.
"See if the others are all right," ordered the lieutenant. "What's
that? O'Shaunessey reports all correct; tell him to find out what's
wrong with Mr. Hythe. Can't you get any reply from Mr. Hythe, Mr.
Smithers?"
"No reply, sir," said the man laconically.
A paying out of the Irishman's life-line told them on deck that
O'Shaunessey was on his way to look for his officer. Five minutes
elapsed, then a confused jumble of ejaculations through the telephone
betokened the unmistakable fact that the Hibernian diver was shouting at
the top of his voice.
"Stow it, mate; what's the bloomin' use of shoutin' like that?" spoke
the man on O'Shaunessey's telephone reprovingly. Then, after a short
interval, he took the instrument from his ear and turned to Lieutenant
Egmont.
"Wire's cut off, sir," he announced.
"And his life-line and air-tube cut, too, sir," added another seaman.
"Great heavens! what's up?" ejaculated the lieutenant. "Here, bring
Price up before he's done for."
Hastily Egmont communicated this disquieting news to Captain Tarfag.
The latter went for'ard and awaited Diver Price's re-appearance.
As soon as Price's helmet appeared above the surface his glass plate was
unscrewed, revealing his features as pale as a sheet.
"What has happened?" demanded Captain Tarfag anxiously.
The man was incapable of speech. He could only raise one hand in a
gesture of horror and despair.
"Help him over the side, men," ordered the captain. "Run aft, one of
you, and ask the steward to give you a stiff glass of grog."
Quickly Price was divested of his helmet and dress. Shaking like a leaf
he sat down upon a bollard. He drained the glass of whisky at one gulp,
and the colour began to return to his face.
"Both done for!" he cried. "Saw my mate stabbed by the villains. Never
caught a sight o' Mr. Hythe."
"By heavens, I'll not stand this!" thundered Captain Tarfag. "I want
three men to go down--who will volunteer?"
"I will, sir!" came a chorus of voices. Every man qualified as a diver
had offered to risk possibly certain death in the depths of the sea.
"You three," ordered the captain, indicating Moy, Banks, and Smithers.
"Keep your knives in your hands and don't hesitate to use them. Take a
charge of guncotton. If you've a chance place it under her bilges, and
I'll take the risk of blowing this infernal submarine to Jericho."
Quickly the three dauntless divers prepared to descend, while a petty
officer and two seamen hastened to bring the explosive from the magazine
and the batteries for firing the charge.
But ere the divers were ready a sudden commotion on shore attracted the
attention of Captain Tarfag and the crew of the "Investigator." The
working party on the beach had discovered that the net entanglements no
longer held. They were coming home with hardly any resistance, bringing
with them the grapnels of the picquet-boats till the latter had to
hastily cast off in order to prevent themselves being dragged ashore.
"She's given us the slip, by George!" ejaculated Mr. Egmont.
"Perhaps the nets have parted," suggested Captain Tarfag. "Look alive,
men!"
One after another the divers disappeared over the side. Three distinct
patches of bubbles indicated their course. They were, for mutual
safety, keeping close together. To all inquiries on the telephone the
answer was, "Nothing to be seen," until Moy reported that he had
discovered distinct traces in the sand of the impression of a fairly
flat-bottomed vessel of at least thirty foot beam.
"It's no go," exclaimed Captain Tarfag. "Order the men back, and report
the loss of Mr. Hythe and O' Shaunessey to the Commander-in-Chief at
Devonport. By smoke! All the fat is in the fire now."
Quickly the dispiriting news spread from ship to ship, and from boat to
boat. A panic seemed to seize the spectators in private craft, for, as
if by a sudden impulse, they made a wild stampede from the shelter of
the shallow water of Cawsand Bay. But nothing happened to imperil their
safety. No huge sea-monster, the work of human hands, appeared to
scatter destruction broadcast upon those venturesome individuals who had
gone forth to witness the capture of the mysterious Captain Restronguet.
The elusive submarine had calmly stolen away, without a trace of the
tragedy that every one imagined had been enacted beneath the waves, save
for portions of the two life-lines and the disconnected air-tubes.
The "Investigator" and the rest of the Government vessels lost no time
in putting into the Hamoaze. Captain Tarfag, accompanied by Lieutenant
Egmont, immediately went on shore to report to the Commander-in-Chief.
Already special editions of the papers were out, giving more or less
accurate accounts of the futile operations in connexion with the attempt
to capture the submarine, and all laid particular stress upon the fact
that the lives of an officer and a seaman had been sacrificed on the
altar of duty.
"You saw nothing, Tarfag?" asked the Admiral.
"Nothing, sir. The diver who escaped reported that the whole time he
was below he saw no trace of the submarine, although he followed the
line of netting for several yards. What he did see was his comrade,
O'Shaunessey, beset by half a dozen men. He admitted he was terribly
scared, but went to his fellow-diver's assistance. Before he could get
close enough he saw that O'Shaunessey's life-line had been cut and his
air-tube disconnected. Realizing that he could do nothing, and that he
was in pressing danger, Price signalled to be hauled up."
"But how did the submarine contrive to get clear of the wire and rope
entanglements? Surely you saw some signs of a commotion?"
"Nothing--not even a ripple. The first intimation we had was from the
shore. The nets came home quite easily."
"H'm," ejaculated the Admiral. "Perhaps I----"
The entrance of an assistant secretary caused the Commander-in-Chief to
pause abruptly. The newcomer held out a type-written document.
"Message through from the Admiralty, sir," he announced.
"By Jove! What's this?" exclaimed the astonished Admiral. "The
Secretary to the Admiralty reports that a telephone message was received
from a North London call-office, reporting that Mr. Hythe and O'
Shaunessey are prisoners on the submarine. Furthermore, a telegram from
Dantzic announces that Captain Restronguet--confound that fellow!--has
destroyed the armoured cruiser 'Breslau.'"
"When was that, sir?" asked Captain Tarfag.
"The message from Dantzic is dated 8 a.m. this morning. Allowing for
differences in Greenwich time----"
"Then, if the submarine we were after is under the command of Captain
Restronguet, it is morally impossible for him to be in the Baltic at
precisely the same hour----"
"Unless there are two of these blessed submarines."
"Or two captains of the name of Restronguet," added Captain Tarfag.
"I suppose this fellow means to hold Mr. Hythe to ransom, sir?" asked
Mr. Egmont.
"There is no mention of that," replied the Admiral. "But, of course,
that may be his intention. I wonder where the mysterious submarine will
turn up next?"
"The Superintendent of Police, sir," announced the head-messenger.
"Ah, Richardson, what's the trouble now?" asked the Commander-in-Chief,
as a tall, alert-looking man stepped briskly into the room.
"More evidence of Captain Restronguet, sir," replied the Superintendent
of Police. "The rascal's actually in the Hamoaze. Our duty boat,
whilst returning from Bull Point, picked up a green and white buoy, just
abreast of Wilcove. Attached to the buoy, and protected by a water-proof
covering, was this document."
The admiral took the paper--a foolscap sheet, with a crest and the words
"Submarine 'Aphrodite'" embossed upon it. In silence he read it to the
end, then--
"Well, of all the most confounded cheek!" he ejaculated. "Read that,
Tarfag, and tell me what you think of it."
"I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the Admiralty's message
of even date. In order to prove conclusively that this reply is
authentic, I have taken steps to see that this document is placed in the
hands of the Commander-in-Chief of the Devonport Command. Mr. Arnold
Hythe and A.B. O'Shaunessey, official number K14,027, are on board my
vessel 'Aphrodite.' In the interests of the Service, and also in my
own, it is desirable that Mr. Hythe remain on board for a period not
exceeding six months. Any information the officer in question may gain
is entirely at the disposal of the British Admiralty, and since the
possibilities of so doing are great, I would suggest that covering
permission be given for Mr. Hythe's absence from his official duties.
Incidentally I may mention that this suggested permission is merely
formal, for in any case my guests will not be put ashore until I think
fit.
"I am at present giving a series of demonstrations in British waters,
but not with any aggressive intent. It is hopeless to attempt the
capture of my submarine, and no useful purpose will be thereby served.
"I take this opportunity of explaining the cause of the hostile acts
committed against an outwardly friendly State, in the hope that the
calamity of a great war may be averted.
"The submarine in Baltic waters is the property of Karl von Harburg, a
German renegade, who has certain motives in committing these excesses,
which can neither be justifiable nor excusable. His submarine, itself a
craft of great abilities, is but a feeble imitation of my 'Aphrodite.'
It will not help matters to any great extent by explaining my reasons,
but I can assure you that at the first available opportunity I mean to
destroy the submarine owned and commanded by Karl von Harburg, as I
regard the man as an unprincipled international scoundrel and a scourge
to humanity.
"Will you kindly forward this document to the Secretary of the
Admiralty, and inform him that my agent will receive his reply per
telephone, at the hour of 10 a.m. to-morrow.
"I have the honour to be, Sir,
"Yours, etc.,
"JOHN RESTRONGUET."