A VISIT TO GIBRALTAR.
Breakfast on the following morning was a kind of solemn feast, for
although Devoran and Kenwyn were present, hardly a word was spoken. The
gloom of the previous day's exploration seemed to penetrate everything,
yet the subject was, by mutual consent, studiously avoided.
The meal was nearly over when Lancarrow, the wireless man, knocked and
entered the cabin.
"Message just received, sir," he announced unconcernedly.
Captain Restronguet opened the envelope and scanned its contents.
Although his eyes lightened with satisfaction he said not a word till
the man had retired.
"News of the 'Vorwartz,' gentlemen," he exclaimed. "She is reported to
be operating off the entrance to Valetta Harbour, Malta. Holed the
torpedo-boat-destroyer 'Tamar,' did considerable damage to the oil-tank
vessel 'Petrolia,' so that the ship had to be beached in Bighi Bay.
After that she slipped off. An aero-hydroplane followed her for an hour
in an easterly direction. The 'Vorwartz' then dived much deeper and was
lost sight off."
"What is she doing in the Mediterranean, sir?" asked Devoran. "That
doesn't look as if she's returning to Sumatran waters."
"Unless she goes through the Suez Canal," added Kenwyn.
"She won't try that game," said Captain Restronguet. "There's not
enough water in the canal. If she does we have been saved an unpleasant
task, for the authorities will blow her to atoms."
"Now what is to be done, sir?" asked the chief officer.
Captain Restronguet paused a few moments before replying.
"The shafting is now all right, Mr. Devoran?"
"Yes, sir, I remained till the work was completed. That was at half
past one in the morning."
"Excellent!" commented the captain. "There is now only one course left
open to us. We must proceed to the eastern part of the Mediterranean
and continue our search for this modern pirate. I'll send a message to
the Admiralties at London, Paris, and Berlin informing them of my
whereabouts and of my intentions. We may have a chance of sending the
relics of 'La Flamme' ashore at Gibraltar, Mr. Hythe. Perhaps you would
care to hand them over to the proper authorities?"
"With pleasure," replied the sub.
"There is no time to be lost," continued the captain, rising from his
chair. "What is the weather like, Mr. Devoran?"
"Hazy, sir."
"Excellent! We may have a run on the surface; the extra ten knots may
be of extreme importance."
"Must we go astern through this channel?" asked the sub, as he followed
his host to the fore conning-tower. "There is not enough width to
turn."
"Oh, no; we rise vertically to the surface," replied Captain
Restronguet. "Coming here it was different. I could not depend upon
sinking the 'Aphrodite' immediately over the gulley. Besides, I had
reasons for bringing the craft in while submerged."
The discharging pumps were soon at work, and with hardly a jerk the
heavy mass of water-tight metal casing rose majestically from the sandy
bed of Machichaco Bay. When just awash her fore hatch was opened and
the rails and stanchions shipped.
Hythe went on deck. The haze was sufficiently dense to prevent objects
from being seen at a distance of more than a cable's length ahead. The
cliffs and the lighthouse were invisible. Although there was hardly any
wind and the "Aphrodite" was lying almost motionless on a perfectly calm
sea, the noise of the sullen rollers breaking in-shore showed how
dangerous this exposed bay was to any craft that attempted to send a
boat ashore.
Beyond that ceaseless roar no sound disturbed the quietude. As far as
the crew of the submarine were concerned they might have been floating
peacefully in the midst of the wide Atlantic instead of almost within
hailing distance of the Iberian shore.
The centre scuttle of the "Aphrodite's" for'ard conning-tower was opened
so that the quartermaster could take verbal directions from his superior
officer. Captain Restronguet stood just in front of the conning-tower,
while two men, detailed for special duty as look-outs, were stationed in
the bows, clad in oil-skins to protect them from the spray that was
bound to come inboard as soon as the vessel gathered way. Abaft the
after conning-tower Mr. Devoran had taken his stand, while right aft
were more men whose duty it was to report the presence of any vessel
that, of swifter speed than the submarine, might overtake her.
These precautions were additional to the use of the submarine detector
that indicated the approach of any craft at a distance; for when
travelling at high speed the swish of the waves against her lean bows
was apt to be misconstrued by the men stationed at that electrically
recording device.
Giving a glance at the standard compass to assure himself that he had
made due allowance for the abnormal deviation Captain Restronguet gave
the order for half speed ahead. Like a greyhound the "Aphrodite" leapt
forward at a reduced speed of eighteen knots.
Within ten minutes the belt of haze had been left astern, and the sun
shone brilliantly upon the clear blue water.
Hythe remained on deck some hours till the rounded point of Cape Ortegal
hove in sight. Here the sea in calm weather is always agitated by a long
heavy swell, while in gales the waves are dangerously steep. As a
precautionary measure Captain Restronguet ordered the look-out men to
make themselves fast with life-lines and the open hatches to be battened
down. Although he suggested to the sub the advisability of going below,
the captain, for some reason that he did not think fit to communicate,
remained on deck. Scorning to make use of oilskins he stood grasping
the handrail surrounding the conning-tower, and gazed fixedly at the
horizon on the starboard bow. Whatever he expected to see his hopes in
that direction were unfulfilled, and at five o'clock, after the
tumultuous water had been left astern, he rejoined his guest in the
cabin.
"We are so far fortunate in being able to keep on the surface," he
remarked. "We are now off Cape Finisterre and right in the regular mail
and ordinary trading routes. But up to the time I left the deck we had
not sighted a single sail."
Twice during the day the "Aphrodite" had to dive to avoid being sighted
by passing vessels, for although Captain Restronguet made no secret of
his whereabouts he did not think fit to allow the submarine to be seen.
Just before midnight the captain called to Hythe as the latter was about
to turn in.
"We are going to dive to eight fathoms," he announced. "It is advisable
since we are approaching the Straits of Gibraltar. Perhaps you would
care to have a look on deck before going to bed?"
On gaining the upper platform Hythe found that the "Aphrodite" was
running nearly awash, with no navigation lights. Even the lamps in the
conning-towers were screened. It was a pitch-dark night, although the
atmosphere was clear. The water was exceptionally smooth for the
Atlantic seaboard of the coast of Spain and Portugal.
Away on the starboard hand were several large vessels, each showing
their green navigation lights, denoting that they were bound north. One,
brilliantly illuminated, was evidently a liner on which the passengers
were keeping a late night, for the distant strains of a string band were
just audible above the subdued noise of her powerful engines.
"You know this coast, I suppose?" asked Captain Restronguet. "Do you
recognize yonder light?"
The sub looked intently in the direction indicated. Through the
darkness shone a fixed white light which increased and diminished in
intensity, attaining its maximum glare every thirty seconds.
"Yes, Cape Trafalgar," he replied. "And we are within twelve miles of
it."
"Otherwise it would appear to be a flashing light," added Captain
Restronguet. "I see your knowledge of the various lights is
exceptionally good. Had it been daylight we might have found time to
let you have a sight of some of Nelson's relics, for we are passing over
the scene of that ever-memorable victory. The bottom of the sea here is
strewn with the remains of the French and Spanish vessels that were
either sunk in action or foundered in the storm that arose after the
fight was over."
"I have seen enough of naval disasters for the time being," remarked
Hythe.
"You will soon get used to sights of that description," said the captain
with a shrug of his shoulders. "Some day, all being well, I hope to
visit the remains of the Russian vessels sunk at Tshushima. Not simply
for idle curiosity, but with a definite motive. But it blows cold, so I
think we may as well descend."
When Hythe awoke next morning the "Aphrodite" was at rest. Throwing
back the metal slide over his cabin scuttle he looked out. The submarine
was below the surface and in a fairly crowded anchorage, for dimly in
the sunlit water he could distinguish more than one mooring chain and a
mushroom anchor deeply embedded in the ooze.
"This must be Gib.," he thought, as he prepared to dress.
Although breakfast was laid, Captain Restronguet was busy writing as
Hythe entered the cabin.
"Excuse me while I finish," said the former apologetically. "Here is a
copy of this week's 'Gibraltar Herald'; it was published only yesterday,
so it is fairly recent. Perhaps you might care to look at it?"
Hythe took the journal wonderingly. How could it have come into Captain
Restronguet's possession? He sat down and opened the pages. Most of the
news consisted of matter interesting only to the members of the colony,
such as descriptions of social functions of such minor importance that
the edition of the smallest weekly at home would scorn to make use of;
but about one half of the back sheet was devoted to general news.
Three quarters of a column were occupied by a more or less accurate
account of Karl von Harburg's doings at Malta. Since Captain
Restronguet had exposed the fellow's identity the owner of the
"Vorwartz" no longer attempted to screen himself by attributing his
illegal acts to his rival; on the other hand the _denouement_ seemed to
have emboldened him, for hitherto he had confined his active attentions
solely to German national property. Now he was fast developing into a
pirate, attacking all nations without any consideration. Yet, curiously
enough, he never attempted to take booty, and on this account his
motives were the subject of the keenest discussion.
Already international squadrons, representing Great Britain, France,
Germany, Italy, Austria, Russia, and Greece were co-operating with a
view of exterminating the modern buccaneer, while from Cape Tarifa to
Centa a powerful flotilla of the latest type of submarines formed a
cordon at the maximum depth attainable with safety beneath the surface.
These in turn were supported by a number of destroyers and protected
cruisers, while overhead aero-hydroplanes flew by day and naval airships
soared by night, the latter keeping their searchlights playing
vertically downwards in the hope of locating and annihilating the
vampire of the seas.
The tension between England and Germany had, according to the paper,
been considerably relaxed, and both the Atlantic Fleet and the High Seas
Fleet had returned to their respective ports; but at the same time the
British Prime Minister had spoken strongly in the House, urging the oft
neglected precept that "A nation armed is a nation at peace."
The only other item of news that interested Hythe was a report that
there had been seismic disturbances in the Mediterranean, and that Malta
had experienced two severe shocks. The sub knew Malta well; besides, he
had relations living there, his maternal uncle holding a shore
appointment under the Admiralty. Although the effects of the tremor
were felt at Bizerta, Tripoli, Syracuse, Messina, Reggio, and even as
far north as Rome, Vesuvius and Etna showed no signs of increased
activity, while Stromboli had ceased for several days to emit smoke.
This phenomenon had been debated upon by men of science, but no
satisfactory explanation had been arrived at.
"Have you found anything sufficiently interesting to make you forget my
rudeness, Mr. Hythe?" asked Captain Restronguet, as he put his writing
materials into his desk and locked it up. "I had to finish this
dispatch, as you so kindly consented to take it ashore for me."
"I have been wondering how you obtained the paper, sir?"
"Easily done. We arrived in the bay about four this morning. Carclew
immediately left the 'Aphrodite' and walked ashore, landing on the
Neutral Ground about four hundred yards beyond the Advance Lines. He
divested himself of his diving-dress and hid it, and as soon as the gun
went--the signal for the gates of the fortress to be opened, as you
know--he mingled with the crowd of locked-out Scorps, Spanish traders
and pedlars, and walked unceremoniously into the town. Coming back,
however, he had a nasty time, for the sentries had their suspicions,
taking him for a smuggler, and it was as much as he could do to slip
into the water without being seen."
"How do you propose to set me ashore?" asked Hythe.
"Perfectly openly," replied his host calmly. "I have the Governor's
permission to send a representative ashore. You will land at the steps
on the inner side of the New Mole at ten this morning. Kenwyn and
Gwennap will accompany you as far as the landing in order to help you
off with your gear. They will then return, so that no inquisitive
individual will have an opportunity of examining or possibly stealing my
patent helmet. At six p.m. sharp, Kenwyn and Gwennap will meet you at
the same place. By the by, would you like O'Shaunessey to go with you?"
The sub hesitated for a moment before replying. Captain Restronguet had
made no conditions regarding his trip ashore. He trusted entirely to
the honour of the young officer. There was nothing to prevent Hythe and
O'Shaunessey from remaining at Gib. if they felt inclined. The sub knew
O'Shaunessey to be a sharp and diligent man, but unfortunately he had a
great failing. Had it not been for a few delinquencies in the shape of
overstaying his leave the Irishman might have been a petty officer by
this time. Consequently, since the man might get into one of the
numerous grog-shops and fail to return to time, Hythe decided not to
take him.
"Very good, Mr. Hythe," replied Captain Restronguet in even tones,
although the sub detected a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. "I quite
understand, and I think your judgment is good in this respect. Now let
us fall to; breakfast will be getting quite cold, and I do not want my
emissary to start on a journey with discomfort."
"Where are we lying now?" asked Hythe, in the course of the meal.
"In the Commercial Anchorage, on a line with the Devil's Tower open of
the North Front," replied the captain. "I thought it best to do so,
rather than trespass within the limits of the Admiralty Anchorage. You
will have more than a mile to walk, but the tides close inshore are
weak, and by keeping close to the Old Mole you will find little
inconvenience.
"Here are the documents," he continued, as soon as breakfast was over.
"This one, to which is attached the chart from 'La Flamme,' is for the
French Minister of Marine. It will be safely forwarded. This is for
the Governor; the others are of a private nature, and will be sent in by
post in the ordinary way."
"I heard say you are going ashore, sir," said O'Shaunessey, who was
standing in the diving-gear compartment. "Wud ye take this letther for
me? Sure, 'tis for me ould mother."
"I will, O'Shaunessey," replied Hythe. He almost wavered in his
resolution not to take the A.B. with him; but since the Irishman did not
seem at all anxious to enjoy a spell on land the sub adhered to his
former plans.
Guided by a watertight compass held by the chief officer, Hythe, with
his dispatches in a weighted metal case, set out on his lengthy
submarine walk. Without a hitch the three men gained the base of the
northernmost Mole, and walking under the keels of several merchant
vessels made fast alongside, they arrived at the landing indicated by
Captain Restronguet.
As soon as Hythe emerged from the water, greatly to the interest of a
swarm of bluejackets and civilians who had been apprised of the arrival
of the mysterious submarine, Kenwyn and Gwennap divested him of his
diving suit, and, being unable to speak by reason of their helmets,
raised their right hands in token of farewell.
Being ashore seemed quite unfamiliar to the young officer, although he
was well acquainted with that landing place. Briskly he ran up the
steps, made his way through the admiring and attentive crowd, and shaped
a course for the Governor's Palace.
"So you are returning to the submarine?" asked the Governor, when the
interview was at an end. "I believe the Admiralty have telegraphed that
you can exercise your discretion in the matter."
"Yes," replied Hythe. "I think it necessary to do so, both from an
official and a private sense. I can assure you, sir, that anything
approaching the craft in mechanism and scientific wonder has never yet
been seen."
"My Lords are naturally anxious for details," remarked the Rear Admiral
in charge of the Naval Establishments at Gibraltar, who had made it a
point of being with the Governor on the occasion of Hythe's visit. "In
fact, speaking in a strictly confidential manner, I may as well tell you
that they would like to open negotiations with Captain Restronguet for
the purchase of the vessel. Could you approach him on this matter?"
"I am afraid it will be of no use, sir," replied the sub. "But, of
course, I will do my best. Captain Restronguet is a man of iron
resolution, and he has more than once told me that he has sworn to sink
the 'Aphrodite' rather than hand her over to the Admiralty."
"That is a pity," said the Governor. "Why is this? He is an
Englishman?"
"Yes, a native of Cornwall; but he is labouring under the impression
that he has been slighted by the Admiralty. He offered his invention
some years ago and was, he informs me, shabbily treated."
"Unfortunately that is not the only case," said the Admiral. "The
mistake--for mistake it undoubtedly is--was possibly the work of some
petty official at Whitehall. I've known plenty of instances of that
description. However, Mr. Hythe, do your best in that direction, and
find means to communicate Captain Restronguet's decision as soon as
possible. He will not, I hope, sell the submarine to a foreign power?"
"No, sir; I think with all his prejudices Captain Restronguet does not
forget he's an Englishman. Otherwise he would not be so open in
explaining a host of details connected with his vessel to me."
"Well, we must hope for the best," declared the Governor.
"And if Captain Restronguet succeeds in destroying this rascally
German's submarine--the 'Vorwartz,' is it not?--we shall have something
to be thankful for."
Hythe made good use of the rest of the time allowed him ashore. Several
of his brother officers, whom he had known on previous commissions, soon
had him "in tow," but the sub strenuously declined to go aboard any of
the ships. There might be some mistake, he might forget how the hours
sped, and to miss his appointment at the New Mole was not to be thought
of. He found an opportunity, however, of replenishing his scanty stock
of clothing, and by means of a small "tip" enlisted the services of a
"Scorp" to purchase a supplementary kit for O'Shaunessey. These he had
placed in a small tin trunk, the lid of which was securely soldered
down, and engaging a porter he told the man to follow him to the
landing.
It was now close on the hour fixed for his return, but a sudden obstacle
was thrown in his way; he had forgotten the Customs.
An alert Customs Officer, who was no respecter of persons even though
they were in naval officer's uniform, peremptorily demanded to see what
the trunk contained.
"Clothing only," replied Hythe, with considerable annoyance. "Value
Five Pounds; here is my bill."
"Must see what's inside, sir," replied the man. "Please to order your
porter to carry this box to the office. You will also step this way,
sir."
"Look here, this is all rot!" exclaimed Hythe indignantly. "I'll pay
up, even though it's a blind rush; but I've an appointment to keep."
The Customs official was obdurate. The sub glanced at his watch. It
had stopped. He had forgotten to wind it. By a neighbouring clock it
wanted five minutes to six.
Hythe hesitated no longer. Turning he set off at full speed towards the
Governor's palace, the Customs man pelting at his heels and shouting to
the bystanders to stop him. The sub was a good sprinter, even though
considerably out of practice by being cooped up in the limited quarters
of a submarine. Dashing past the astonished sentry at the entrance to
the palace, before the soldier had time to salute, Hythe literally
thrust his way into the Governor's presence and hastily told him of his
irritating and serious encounter with the officious Customs man.
"He is undoubtedly within his rights, Mr. Hythe," replied the Governor.
"But, at the same time, he is over zealous. That will clear you," and
sitting down he wrote out and signed an order to pass Mr. Arnold Hythe's
baggage.
One minute to six. With almost indecent haste the sub once more bade
the Governor farewell and resumed his headlong pace.
Just outside the Dockyard Gate he overtook the Customs official, who was
puffing and blowing after his exertions on a fruitless chase.
"Very good, sir," exclaimed the man apologetically, "but you see dooty's
dooty. I'll clear your trunk in a jiffy."
Bubbling over with impatience Hythe set off at a rapid rate, with the
wellnigh exhausted official at his heels. A fresh catastrophe
confronted him, for upon arriving at the place where he had left the
porter with his trunk neither was to be seen.
"He's a wrong 'un, sir," exclaimed the Customs man. "You had better
inform the police."
"Haven't time," exclaimed Hythe savagely, and without another word he
ran towards the steps at the New Mole. When he arrived it was ten
minutes past six, and no signs of Kenwyn and Gwennap were to be seen.
"That's done it!" ejaculated the sub. "And Captain Restronguet said six
o'clock sharp."