HYTHE'S MASTERSTROKE.
Early in the month of November Captain Gregory Pinney, master and owner
of the ocean-going tug "Wayfarer," registered at the Port of Falmouth,
was the recipient of a telegram transmitted through the Lizard signal
station.
"Send vessel to meet submarine 'Aphrodite' 4 miles S.S.E. of Lizard at
noon on the 12th inst--Restronguet."
The worthy skipper was obviously perplexed. He rather suspected that it
was a bogus message, sent by a rival firm so that their tugs could pick
up a remuneration job in the absence of the "Wayfarer." That was his
construction of the matter, and his views he communicated to his
partner, Captain Hiram Varco.
"Powerful strange," admitted Varco. "Why not wire to the Lizard and ask
'em if it's genuine, and how they picked it up."
Acting on this device Captain Pinney requested Lloyd's Station for
further particulars, and received a confirmatory answer with the
additional information that the message had been sent from the
"Aphrodite" when twenty miles west of Cape Finisterre.
"All the same, it be powerful strange," remarked Varco. "Submarines
don't want tugs to give 'em a pluck into port, and Falmouth, too, of all
places. Still, if I was you, Gregory Pinney, in a manner o' speakin'
I'd take the 'Wayfarer' out. If 'tain't one thing 'tis often another,
and chances are you'll pick up something to tow into t'harbour even if
'tain't this wunnerful submarine."
Accordingly Captain Gregory Pinney made necessary arrangements for the
"Wayfarer" to proceed to sea early on the morning of the 12th.
Had Captain Pinney not informed his crony of the contents of Captain
Restronguet's telegram the momentous news would never have spread
abroad, for the skipper of the "Wayfarer" was, for a Cornishman,
extremely reticent. Captain Hiram Varco was almost the reverse, and
happening to fall in with an enterprising reporter of _The Cornish
Riviera Express_, he waxed eloquent over a friendly glass of double
cider.
Next day the London papers published the news, not without comments, for
while it was tacitly accepted the message was perfectly genuine, no
satisfactory reason could be assigned to Captain Restronguet's motive in
requisitioning a tug.
Steps were taken to give the "Aphrodite" and her gallant crew a rousing
welcome. Excursion steamers, laid up for the winter, were hurriedly
chartered by speculative syndicates and sent round to Falmouth. Long
before the fateful Twelfth all the accommodation was booked at a guinea
a head. Fishing-boats, risking the Board of Trade regulations, became
temporary pleasure craft; luggers, quay-punts, and even frail rowing
boats were hired, so that should weather permit, a general exodus of the
various craft for Falmouth Harbour would take place--an event to be
talked about in years to come by the old salts of the West country.
Great Britain in general and Cornwall in particular, meant to show the
proper way to welcome home a national, nay, world-wide hero.
* * * * *
Dawn was just breaking when the "Aphrodite" sighted the powerful white
flash-light of the Lizard. The submarine had made short work of the run
across the bay and had arrived off the English coast some hours earlier
than Captain Restronguet had anticipated.
"I thought better of Captain Pinney," remarked Captain Restronguet to
Hythe as the two stood on the deck gazing towards their native land.
"Kenwyn tells me that a wireless message came through during the night.
The news has leaked out and there's to be a whole crowd of shipping to
see us arrive. I think I can promise that they won't be disappointed of
a spectacle."
Captain Restronguet and his guest were early on deck. The sea was
smooth, the air mild for the time of year, nevertheless they were glad
of their great-coats after sweltering under the African sun.
"Will nothing alter your decision, sir?" asked the sub almost
pleadingly.
"Nothing, my dear Hythe. A promise with me is a promise, even if made
in over-hastiness. I might regret it; but the fact remains that I have
sworn never to hand my invention over to the British Government.
Consequently I have sent for a Falmouth tug to remove the crew and their
personal belongings. This done I mean to open the inlet valves of the
'Aphrodite' and sink her for good and all. At the spot I have indicated
the depth is more than forty fathoms. The sea will hold my secret, and
from the cliffs about the Lizard I can stand and gaze upon the tomb of
my invention."
"But isn't this carrying a one-sided feud too far, sir? Surely my Lords
have made ample reparation for a slight for which they were responsible
yet perhaps ignorant?"
"Time is a great healer, Mr. Hythe; but the reminiscences of my early
struggles with fate cannot be easily erased. But let us not discuss the
matter further: it cannot alter my decision in the faintest degree. Ah!
good morning, Mr. Devoran. All correct?"
"All correct, sir. We've still plenty of current left to take the
'Aphrodite' another two hundred miles if necessary."
"I don't think we shall require so much as that, Mr. Devoran. Will you
please muster all hands aft. Stop the motors, so that the engineers can
be present. I wish to say a few words."
As soon as the "Aphrodite" lost way the men came on deck, and formed up
just abaft the after conning-tower.
"Men," began Captain Restronguet in stentorian tones, "our voyage is
almost accomplished, our great task is completed and little remains to
be done as far as your services are concerned. Circumstances compel me
to take a drastic step. The 'Aphrodite' must never enter Falmouth
Harbour. At noon we will fall in with a tug that most of you, I know,
are familiar with--the 'Wayfarer.' I want every man to collect his
personal effects and stow them into as small a compass as possible,
ready to be transhipped on board the tug. As soon as all hands are
clear of the submarine I intend to send her to the bottom."
Dead silence greeted this announcement. The men looked at each other in
amazement.
"To sink her for ever, sir?" asked Polglaze, when he found his tongue.
"Certainly," replied Captain Restronguet.
"You are not going down with her, sir?" asked another.
"No," replied Captain Restronguet grimly. "I'm not at all that way
inclined. Now, men, you have a couple of hours to make the necessary
preparations, so dismiss and make the best of the time."
With that the captain went below and retired to his cabin. Hythe,
bitterly disappointed at the failure of his attempt to swerve Captain
Restronguet from his purpose, walked for'ard and remained by the fore
conning-tower deep in thought.
"Say, Mr. Hythe, what is the cap'n thinking about?" exclaimed a voice,
and turning the sub found himself face to face with Jenkins.
"The sun hasn't affected him, eh?" continued the aviator-in-chief to the
Sultan of Zanzibar, touching his forehead significantly.
"I don't think so," replied Hythe. "It is, I believe, the outcome of a
vow."
"Precious silly vow," remarked Jenkins. "He always was a queer customer
when he was upset. Can't you prevent him?"
"I've tried," said the sub.
"Fair means or foul, I'd have another shot at it if I were you. I'll
back you up."
The man's words stirred the sub to serious thought. A struggle between
his sense of gratitude to this man who had so improved his knowledge of
submarine work, and his duty to his king and country waged a fierce
battle. The "Aphrodite" was Captain Restronguet's by right. He was
wilfully abandoning it--an act that was also within his rights. On the
other hand the possession of the "Aphrodite" by the British Navy would
mean an undisputed supremacy in submarine welfare. This wonderful
vessel would be the means of thwarting any projected invasion by a
hostile state, whether by air or by sea.
"In matters of this description personal considerations must be put
aside in favour of one's obligations to one's country," decided the sub,
and straightway he sought out his faithful henchman, O'Shaunessey.
"Sure, sorr, I think we wud manage ut, be dad," was the Irishman's
comment when Hythe unfolded his plan.
At half-past eleven the van of the flotilla from Falmouth came abreast
of the "Aphrodite"--two large steamers packed with people who cheered
and shouted while strident brass bands added a deafening welcome.
Circling, these vessels followed on either quarter of the submarine--so
close that Captain Restronguet had to shout to request them to keep a
more respectful distance. Abreast of the Lizard the main portion of the
waterborne spectators was encountered, till surrounded by nearly a
hundred craft of all sizes and rigs the "Aphrodite" forged slowly ahead
towards a squat high-sided vessel which Captain Restronguet recognized
as the "Wayfarer."
Finding the attentions of his escort too pressing the "Aphrodite"
hoisted a red burgee from a pole set up on her fore conning-tower--a
hint that explosives were about to be transhipped and that there was a
certain element of danger in the undertaking. With that the obstructing
vessels backed away a few yards, forming a complete circle in the almost
motionless sea around the "Wayfarer" and the craft that had engaged her.
"D'ye want me to pass you a hawser out astern?" bawled the master of the
tug.
"No, thank you, Gregory Pinney," replied Captain Restronguet. "Lay
alongside, will you?"
"An' who may you be?" demanded the skipper, somewhat astonished to find
himself hailed by name. "Mussy me! Why, it is Mr. Tretheway."
"Good shot, Pinney! How's things at home?"
"Pretty middlin', thanks, Mr. Tretheway. But what might I be wanted for?
Where's Captain Restronguet?"
The captain laughed.
"Thought you'd have cottoned to it before now, Pinney. I am Captain
Restronguet, but only for a few moments more. After that I am plain
Hugh Tretheway--and I do not feel altogether sorry. But get your
masthead derrick swung out: we've plenty of gear for you to take."
For nearly an hour the task of unloading the "Aphrodite" continued, for
the personal effects of the officers and men reached considerable
dimensions. It seemed really marvellous where the stuff had been stored
within the limited accommodation of the submarine.
"That's all, sir," announced Devoran.
"Very good. Now, men, on board the tug."
One by one the men passed over the narrow gangway between the two
vessels. As the first was about to leave the "Aphrodite's" deck he drew
himself up and gravely saluted the green and white flag still flying at
the stern of the submarine. His example was followed by the others,
while Captain Restronguet, for the last time in his official capacity,
promptly returned the salute--a final tribute of devotion to a brave and
gallant leader.
After the men the officers boarded the "Wayfarer," till Captain
Restronguet alone remained on the deck of the "Aphrodite." The
submarine was battened down with the exception of the main hatch close
to which the captain stood with his hand resting on a lever actuating
the sea-cocks.
Then with a swift deliberate motion he thrust the metal rod hard down,
saluted his flag, and walked slowly up the gangway.
"Cast off there, Captain Pinney, unless you want to be dragged down," he
exclaimed. "The 'Aphrodite's' sinking."
The men of the tug hastened to unfasten the securing hawsers. The
for'ard one was soon cast off, but by the after one three men purposely
impeded the efforts of the "Wayfarer's" deckhands. The three men were
Hythe, O'Shaunessey, and Jenkins.
The tug's engine-room telegraph bell clanged, the water churned under
her squat counter, and, as she slowly forged ahead, the strain on the
after-rope swung her stern close to the "Aphrodite's" deck.
Simultaneously Hythe and O'Shaunessey vaulted over the low bulwarks and
leapt upon the submarine, Jenkins making a good third. Before Captain
Restronguet and his companions could grasp the situation the three men
gained the open hatch. They were not a second too soon, for the water
was rising over the deck and lapping against the coamings of the
hatchway.
With a clang the metal covering fell. The "Aphrodite" was heremetically
sealed, with her captors safe within.
"Start the motors, Jenkins," exclaimed the sub triumphantly.
"O'Shaunessey, bring that lever hard down."
Seven fathoms deep the submarine sank, then as her motors began to purr
rhymically, Hythe pointed her head due east.
* * * * *
Early next morning, before it was light, Sub-Lieutenant Arnold Hythe
dexterously brought the submarine into Portsmouth Harbour, and,
confident that the importance of his errand would justify the unearthly
visit, boldly called upon the Commander-in-Chief.
Forgetting his dignity in his anxiety to hear what had actually occurred
to the "Aphrodite"--for, as usual, vague rumours had been floating
round--Sir Peter Garboard made his appearance clad in a dressing-gown.
"You're back again, Mr. Hythe? Tell me, is it right that Captain
Restronguet has scuttled the 'Aphrodite'?"
"Hardly that, sir; she is at this moment alongside the North Railway
jetty. You see, sir, I stole her."
"You stole her? Explain yourself."
Hythe explained, pointing out the difficulty in which he had been placed
in his desire to do his duty.
"Rest easy on that score, Mr. Hythe," said the Admiral good-humouredly.
"From a strictly legal point of view your action is justifiable. The
submarine was a derelict after the captain had abandoned her, and as a
naval officer you did right by taking possession of her. But have you
had breakfast?"
The sub was perforce obliged to partake of a repast with his superior
officer, who kept him busily employed the whole while in answering
questions. Presently the Admiral's secretary entered.
"Ah, good morning, Holmes; anything startling?"
"No, sir. Captain Restronguet has apparently vanished into thin air.
All inquiries at Falmouth have proved fruitless. But I expected to find
Mr. Hythe here."
"How so?"
"Because there is a telegram sent to him, care of the
Commander-in-Chief, sir," replied the secretary.
The sub took the proffered envelope and opened it, with a muttered
apology to his superior officer.
"That's all right!" he exclaimed with a sigh of relief. "Read this,
sir."
Sir Peter read it aloud:--
"Hythe, care of C.-in-C., Portsmouth. Thoroughly glad you acted as you
did. Aphrodite is the nation's. Still I have kept my vow.--Tretheway."
"Tretheway, who is he, Mr. Hythe?"
"Tretheway, sir, was Captain John Restronguet, until yesterday commander
of what is now the latest and most powerful acquisition to His Majesty's
Navy--the 'Aphrodite.'"
THE END.
WILLIAM BRENDON AND SON, LTD., PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND