CHAPTER X.THE SECOND OFFICER RETURNS.Captain Restronguet remained in his cabin till nearly ten o'clock, then, going into an adjoining dressing-room, he changed into his "duty clothes," donned a thick coat and india-rubber boots, and made his way for'ard to the diving-room in the fore compartment.Here the men had unshipped the collapsible boat, but as yet it had not been unfolded."Are you going to bring her to the surface, sir?" asked Polglaze, seeing that his captain was in his great coat."Yes, I have decided to do so," replied Captain Restronguet. "Bring the boat under the upper hatchway, Lancarrow, and you, Gwennap, I want you to lay out a kedge up stream. See that the flukes engage in the rubble-work in the base of the centre-pier of the bridge, and run out another kedge aft."Lancarrow and Gwennap promptly donned their diving suits and entered the "water-lock," taking with them the anchors and a length of stout Manila rope. Twenty minutes later they returned, the water dripping from their glistening garb."All correct, sir," reported Lancarrow, as soon as his headdress was removed. "Nothing short of the rope parting will set us adrift, and there's precious little tide running now. I took good care to ram the fluke of the kedges well home.""What is it like up above--dark?""I went up to have a look round, sir," announced Gwennap. "It is a pitch-dark night, the stars are in, and there's hardly a breath of wind.""Good!" exclaimed Captain Restronguet approvingly. "Pass the word to Mr. Devoran to bring the vessel awash."The water in two of the buoyancy tanks was quickly expelled, and majestically the huge submerged hull rose from the bed of the river, till with her deck just a few inches above the surface she fretted gently at her mooring-rope.Being immediately below the massive pier of the Tubular Bridge there was no danger of a passing vessel--should one be under way at that hour--colliding with the "Aphrodite"; while owing to the darkness and the light-absorbing powers of her hull she was absolutely invisible at a boat's length off.Rapidly yet silently the hatch on deck was unfastened and slid back. The collapsible boat, weighing less than sixty pounds, was passed through, extended, and kept in position by means of stretchers.Carclew and Gwennap tossed the oars into the frail craft, and holding the painter launched her over the side."Ready, sir," whispered the latter.Captain Restronguet immediately came on deck and stepped agilely into the boat; the bowman pushed off, the oars dipped, and the canvas cockleshell darted in the direction of Coombe Bay, a tidal indentation just south of the town of Saltash."Thank goodness it is a fairly black night," muttered Captain Restronguet. Beyond the pontoon lights at Saltash, the signal lamps of the railway, and the riding lights of a few vessels lying at the buoys on the west side of the river, all was in darkness. To gain the entrance to Coombe Bay it was necessary to pass between two cruisers, whose anchor lamps glimmered fitfully, throwing scintillating reflections on the placid water."Boat ahoy!" challenged the look-out on the nearest vessel.The captain of the "Aphrodite" was equal to the occasion."Passing!" he roared, using the shibboleth laid down in the Naval Regulations for this contingency.This reply apparently satisfied the look-out, and without further interruption the canvas boat drew into the shallow waters of Coombe Bay. Fortunately the tide was nearly at the full, and still rising, and hence no danger of being stranded on the mud was likely to occur."Easy, men," cautioned Captain Restronguet, as the gaunt outlines of the railway bridge spanning the creek loomed up against the darkness. Then, "Lay on your oars."Gradually losing way the boat drifted on till it grounded on the shingle hard at the foot of the bridge. The boat's crew listened intently; beyond the distant rumble of a belated train, and the faint hoot of a liner's syren away out in the Sound, all was still.Ten minutes passed. Captain Restronguet knitted his brows in perplexity."There's some one, sir," whispered Gwennap, as the cautious scrunching of a man's boots upon the shingle could be faintly heard. Then a dark figure appeared out of the night."Is that you, Kenwyn?" demanded the Captain in a low voice."Ay, ay, sir.""Then jump in; I thought you had missed us.""Couldn't get here any sooner, sir," said the man apologetically. "I was stopped and questioned by a patrol as I came down from the station. There are launches up and down the river, I am told, looking for us.""The deuce there are!" exclaimed Captain Restronguet; then in a calmer tone he added, "We must risk it. Perhaps it is my fault; but I don't think they'll look for the 'Aphrodite' so close to the bridge. Give way, men."On gaining the main stream, greatly to the relief of all in the boat, no red and green lights of patrolling launches were to be seen. Boldly Captain Restronguet steered across the bows of the cruiser that had hailed him on the outward trip. To lurk inshore would be courting suspicion."Boat ahoy!" came the hail from the lookout.Captain Restronguet replied as before, but this time the look-out was not satisfied."What boat is that?" he shouted."Customs!" roared the captain with a lucky inspiration.Muttering a malediction on all custom-house officials, especially on those in this particular boat, the seaman resumed his walk up and down the fo'c'sle deck. He remembered a certain half a pound of tobacco that had got him into trouble with His Majesty's Customs, and the incident still rankled in his manly bosom.Without further interruption the boat ran alongside the deck of the "Aphrodite." Her crew jumped aboard the parent vessel, hauled the collapsible on deck and folded it."Look sharp, sir!" exclaimed Gwennap. "There's a steam-boat bearing right down upon us."There was no time to be lost. Hastily the folded boat was dropped through the hatchway, her crew quickly followed and the hatch was reclosed. One touch and the emergency chambers were flooded, and the submarine began to sink to the bed of the river. It was a close thing for the picquet boat. Had she been a quarter of a minute earlier they would have stove her bows in against the massive plating of the elusive vessel. As it was she passed over the after-conning-tower with less than half a fathom of water to spare, utterly ignorant of the narrow escape she had had."Welcome home once more, Kenwyn!" said Mr. Devoran cordially, extending his hand, which the new arrival gripped like a vice and shook like a pump-handle.Had the chief officer of Southsea Coast Guard Station, or P.C. 445 of the A Division of the Borough of Portsmouth Police been present at this reunion, they would have had no difficulty in recognizing Mr. Kenwyn as the quiet and very retiring unknown who had landed under most unusual circumstances on Southsea Beach."I had to abandon my diving-suit, sir," explained Kenwyn, who served on board the submarine in the capacity of second officer."That I have already learnt from Press reports," replied Captain Restronguet. "And I was glad to know that you took particular pains to get rid of the air reservoir. That did the authorities nicely; they are welcome to the dress, and if they can analyse the metal it is composed of they are also at liberty to make use of the secret. It has not been patented. But how came you to get out of your bearings, Kenwyn? I notice you had to concoct a cock and bull yarn about walking from the beach at Gosport.""I never tell a lie, sir, under any conditions. As a matter of fact, after I left the 'Aphrodite' I did go ashore at Gosport, somewhere behind a yacht yard. No one saw me. I then tried to cross to the Portsmouth side of the harbour to try and recover the submarine welding tool that Carnon, you may remember, dropped when we examined the entrance to No. 5 Shipbuilding Slip. Before I realized it the ebb tide caught me, and I was whisked off down the harbour at a rate of at least seven knots. As soon as I felt the current slacken I took compass bearings and came ashore, and the rest you know.""You have, of course, heard that we have a naval officer on board?""Heard? Rather. The papers are full of it, sir, and every one is talking about it. At Exeter Station and again at Millbay, on my journey down, it was the sole topic of conversation on the platform.""And how does the Great British Public like it?""In a general sense they are thankful it is no worse, so to speak. It is recognized that you are a power that cannot lightly be ignored, and your magnanimity (that is the way they put it) has created quite a favourable impression. Even in the House it was suggested that it would be a master-stroke in world supremacy if you could be induced to hand over the 'Aphrodite'----""Never!" declared Captain Restronguet vehemently, and bringing his fist down heavily upon the table. "Never! They had their chance, but foolishly threw it away. Now, gentlemen, it is nearly one o'clock. I, for one, will be glad to have a few hours' rest," and with an inclination of his head Captain Restronguet retired to his sleeping quarters.CHAPTER XI.CONCERNING CAPTAIN RESTRONGUET'S RIVAL.It was broad daylight when Arnold Hythe awoke. He was surprised to find the "Aphrodite" lifting to the heave of the open sea, and the sunlight pouring in through a small circular scuttle above his bunk. Hastily springing out of bed he looked out. As far as his limited vision extended he could see nothing but blue water--a sure sign that the submarine was far from land. Judging by the apparent motion of the waves the "Aphrodite" was running at a bare ten knots--possibly less. And a few hours previously she had been lying motionless on the bed of the River Tamar.Slung to the beams overhead was a metal bath, of a similar pattern to those supplied for officers' use in the Royal Navy, while in the bulkhead were two taps marked "hot" and "cold." On a chair by his bunk were his clothes, brushed and folded, while quite a large stock of new under-garments were lying on a folding table.Hythe always prided himself upon being a sound sleeper, yet able to arouse at the slightest sound, but for once at least his faith in his capabilities received a rude shock. Some one had certainly entered whilst he slept, and also the "Aphrodite" had made a lengthy trip without his being aware of it.The astonished young officer quickly tubbed and dressed. Then it occurred to him that he had not shaved. Lying on the dressing-table was a safety razor, also brand-new. Evidently his host had left nothing undone to contribute to the comfort of his guest.His toilet completed Hythe stepped out into the alley-way. At the fore-end, and hitherto unnoticed by him, was a hatchway. It was now open and a ladder had been shipped under it.An appetizing odour came from the captain's cabin. It made the sub feel hungry; but curiosity conquered, and he made his way on deck, or on Platform Number One as Captain Restronguet preferred to call it.Hythe found himself on a flat deck nearly two hundred feet in length, and unbroken save for the low coamings of three hatchways and the fore and aft conning-towers. Metal stanchions and rails had been placed in position round the sides to prevent anyone from slipping overboard. As the sub looked down on the deck he noticed that, like the sides, it reflected his own image and those of other persons and objects on deck, but there was no dazzling glare from the sun that was now high in the heavens.Clustered for'ard between the bows and the foremost conning-tower were nearly every member of the crew: twenty-five stalwart men all dressed in plain but serviceable rig. Pacing up and down between the two conning-towers were Mr. Devoran and some one whom Hythe had not previously seen--the Second Officer Kenwyn.As they turned at the end of their promenade the two men caught sight of the sub."Good morning, Mr. Hythe," said the chief mate genially. "Quite a fine day after our sample of the English climate, eh? By the by, I don't think you know Kenwyn, our second officer? He only rejoined last night."The three engaged in conversation of general interest for a few minutes, then Mr. Devoran asked Hythe if he had seen the captain that morning."Not yet," replied the sub. "I came straight on deck. It was a surprise to find myself at sea. Where are we?""Nearly twenty miles S.W. of Ushant," replied the chief mate. "We shall be cruising about here for a few days, as we expect to fall in with a certain vessel. We have left English waters for a time, at all events, but you need not worry about that, for the captain informed me that he received a reply to his note at four this morning. You are officially 'lent' to the 'Aphrodite' until further orders. But breakfast is ready, and Captain Restronguet will explain matters more fully."The captain greeted Hythe with great affability, and both thoroughly hungry did justice to a good breakfast. Very little was said, and when the meal was over Captain Restronguet left the sub to his own devices while he made the customary rounds of the vessel under his command.Accordingly Hythe went on deck once more. The "Aphrodite" was slowly forging ahead at a bare five knots, her course being N.N.W ¼ W. That meant although not actually retracing her course she was heading at an acute angle to it. It was a sort of "wash-and-mend clothes day," a function resembling the time-honoured custom of keeping Thursday afternoon on board the ships of His Majesty's Navy.The French coast was still invisible, but less than five miles off the sky line was broken by curiously cut tanned sails of the Concarneau fishing fleet. Away to the north-west a huge liner, looking without masts and funnels more like an exaggerated Noah's Ark than anything else, was pelting through the water at a modest thirty-three knots. Perhaps had her officer of the watch chanced to direct his telescope in the direction of the "Aphrodite" he would at once conclude that he had sighted the sea serpent, for, owing to the invisible hue of her hull only the seated figures of the men on deck would come within the field of vision.The submarine was floating fairly high out of the water. More than half of her ballast tanks had been "started," and consequently there was sufficient freeboard to allow the side scuttles to be opened. With considerable buoyancy she rolled a good deal, but with a true-born sailor's delight Hythe revelled in the motion.At noon Captain Restronguet appeared on deck. Kenwyn had just "shot the sun" and was working out the vessel's position."It's about time she was here, Devoran," remarked the captain. "That is, if the report is authentic. Has the submarine detector given no warning?""No, sir, I've stationed Polglaze by it, and he won't be caught napping. She couldn't have passed before we arrived, sir?""I made due allowances, giving her ten knots above her estimated speed. But we must exercise patience. Ah! Mr. Hythe, no doubt you are wondering why we are dodging about here instead of playing harmless little tricks upon His Britannic Majesty's ships and naval establishments? Well, I think I ought to give you some explanation, so if you will kindly step below we can talk without interruption.""By the by," continued Captain Restronguet, as the two men made their way to the cabin, "you asked me how the 'Aphrodite' is manoeuvred to bring her to the surface and vice versa. We have three distinct methods. The first is by means of horizontal rudders, there being a pair at both bow and stern; the second is by means of expelling water ballast, which is all very well so long as the ejecting pumps work properly. Hitherto we have had no trouble in this direction, but it is well to be prepared. Consequently we employ a third method--one for use in emergencies only. I make no secret of the fact that I borrowed the idea from the French. I prefer to be original, but at the same time in the interests of my crew I do not hesitate to adopt well-established devices. To each of the three sections of this vessel is fixed a detachable iron keel. The bolts are secured on the keelson by a single yet effective looking device. One thrust of a lever and a section of this keel is dropped. Should a compartment be half full of water there is sufficient buoyancy gained by the release of this dead-weight to lift the vessel to the surface.""Isn't there a chance of the 'Aphrodite' buckling her plates in a heavy sea with that dead-weight split into three separate sections?" asked Hythe."As far as the 'Aphrodite' is concerned there are no heavy seas," replied his host. "At the first suspicion of bad weather we dive to eight fathoms, or more if necessary. Since, even in mid-Atlantic the waves rarely exceed forty feet in height, and the depth maintained by the submarine is regulated by the vertical height of water over her, there is nothing to be feared as far as the 'hogging' and 'sagging' stresses are concerned."At Captain Restronguet's invitation the sub threw himself into an easy chair. He was eager to hear everything about this mysterious man and his marvellous vessel, and the fact that the Admiralty had given a formal consent for him to remain on board as an official observer relieved him of all anxiety."You may have noticed," said Captain Restronguet, "that I hinted that I had had a quarrel with the Admiralty. First let me tell you my real name is not Restronguet. What it is is outside the question.""The name is French, I believe?""No, Cornish. Had you been well acquainted with the district around Falmouth you would have recognized the names of Restronguet, Kenwyn, Devoran and the rest of my crew as those of places in what I consider the foremost county in England. Of course that is a matter of opinion, but that opinion is shared by every Cornishman."Some years back my father owned several copper mines, or wheals as we call them, in the neighbourhood of Redruth, and as, in time, I would have control of them, had articled me to an electrical engineer in order that I might get an insight into that branch before I took over the mining supervision. Hardly was my apprenticeship complete when the wheals failed and my father was a ruined man. He died shortly afterwards and I was thrown utterly on my own resources, and although I was very sore about it at the time I have since realized that misfortune is often the purifying fire of a man's strength of mind."Just about that time the South African War broke out. I volunteered for the front, and was accepted. There I saw enough of war--although supposed to be conducted under the most humane principles--to make me hate it. You may look astonished, Mr. Hythe, but I mean what I say. War might be a necessary evil, but all the same it must be avoided if possible. You do not know how thankful I am that the present crisis between Great Britain and Germany is over. It may sound paradoxical, but with this powerful instrument of destruction under my control I hope to be a deterrent to any Power that attempts to dispute the supremacy of the sea with the country that is mine by birth."But to proceed. On my return to England I was down on my luck, and as a final resource I joined the electrical department of Devonport Dockyard as a fitter. It was not long before I saw that there was little chance of bettering myself. I had ability and energy, but no influence. Profiting by the experience gained in my apprenticeship I devised an improved method of electrical welding. It saved hundreds, possibly thousands of pounds, and I was rewarded with a paltry bonus of forty shillings."Needless to say I was very sick about it. Then an opportunity came. The copper boom revived the Cornish mining industry. The 'wheals' that my father had left me became prosperous, and I was able to throw up my employment with an unsympathetic State Employer. Arguing that a wave of failure might once more return over the mining industry I sold those under my control to a Company; took all my best workmen and one or two of my special friends--Devoran and Kenwyn amongst them--and bought a concession in the Island of Sumatra."Sumatra is a Dutch colony, as you doubtless know. The Dutch officials lack the energy of their fellow-countrymen at home and the consequence is that the whole of the Dutch East Indies stagnates. For years past the Germans have had an eye on those islands, but my belief is that Japan will be the future master of them. Possibly that accounts for numbers of Germans who settle in Sumatra and Java."Personally I rather like the German, when free from the excessive officialdom that pervades in the German Empire. They are good colonists, hard-working and law-abiding, in every foreign possession save their own, for in the latter the blighting effect of the be-uniformed official is fatal to individual success. We got on very well with our neighbours on the adjoining concessions, with one exception. That exception was a German named Karl von Harburg."Captain Restronguet paused as if he feared that the growing excitability would overmaster him. He was evidently labouring under a strong recollection of bygone insults. Hythe had the sense to keep silence, he realized that the listener is the one who hears most."But before I say anything more about Karl von Harburg," continued the Captain, "I must mention another incident. The concession I had acquired paid beyond all expectations, for not only were copper and tin found in abundance but also gold. We were all rich men. Some of my workmen went back to Redruth; others, having no home ties, and liking the free open life, stayed on. Since I was naturally fond of electrical engineering and the allied sciences, I spent a great deal of my time experimenting. One day, almost by accident, I discovered an alloy--as light as aluminium, absolutely showing no traces of corrosion when exposed to the action of salt water, as proof against acids as pure gold, and possessing the strength and resilience of steel. It was also as non-porous as a metal can possibly be. Under pressure that would cause water to 'weep' through a steel vessel, a cylinder made of this metal showed no sign of moisture. I realized that I had made a discovery that would prove of inestimable value in the construction of air-ships, and as at that time the Admiralty were 'tied up in knots' over the utter failure of the naval airship 'Mayfly,' I sent a sheet of the metal to a trusted agent in London with instructions to submit it to My Lords."Believe me from that day to this, beyond a curt acknowledgment and a bald statement that the subject was under consideration, I have heard nothing further of the matter. I was angry--disgusted because the powers that be had bluntly shut their eyes to an actual discovery that would give Great Britain the command of the air."Since airmanship did not appeal to me I resolved to make use of my discovery in another direction. By further experiments I found that my metal 'Restronium,' I have been ambitious enough to call it, could be made capable of absorbing bright light, yet at close distance would act as a reflector. The result was that I devised a submarine, steel-clad, and cased with restronium. It was constructed by native workmen under the supervision of my comrades and myself."The craft was a success. It prompted me to attempt another on a more ambitious scale, but ere it was completed Karl von Harburg appeared on the scene."This fellow is as crafty as a rogue can possibly be. By his German co-colonists he was cordially hated. He had ability but was lazy. His factory did not do so well as the others; instead of working harder he sulked. In the Fatherland he had once held a high diplomatic position. He it was who a few years back tried to force a quarrel upon Holland in order that a pretext might be found for Germany to acquire a longer coast-line on the shores of the North Sea. He failed, and since failure is not tolerated in Teutonic diplomatic circles, he was disgraced. He came to Sumatra, ostensibly with the idea of working a concession, but in reality looking for an opportunity of recovering his lost prestige by smoothing the way for a German annexation of the Dutch East Indies. Again he failed--how and why I need not now mention; but rightly or wrongly he formed the idea that I had a say in the matter."He had his revenge. He stole the secret of my new alloy. He obtained possession of the plans of my latest submarine, the 'Aphrodite,' and set himself to build a vessel that would be more powerful than mine. But he had not mastered one important idea--the secret of the defensive and offensive powers of my vessel."It was a case of war to the knife. His idea was to take his submarine--the 'Vorwartz' he named her--into British waters and deliberately do as much destruction to British ships of war and merchantmen as he possibly could; this with the idea of giving the Fatherland an advantage in the coming naval war that has been so long anticipated and which has not yet, thank God, caused untold misery and disaster to two nations who could be rivals yet friends."That is where I stepped in. I sent word and told the fellow plainly that the 'Aphrodite' was also bound for British waters, and that I would take the first opportunity of smashing up the 'Vorwartz' should one hostile act be committed against British property. That frightened him, for at heart he is a coward. Accordingly Karl von Harburg, knowing that the 'Aphrodite' had left for the Atlantic, concocted a truly diabolical plot. He deliberately navigated his 'Vorwartz' to German waters and committed outrages against his own country.""Whatever for?" asked the Sub. "It is inconceivable.""To a Briton, yes!" assented Captain Restronguet. "But Karl von Harburg had no compunction. He had a spite against his Government, he had a grudge against me; and whatever the issue he had nothing to lose by being the means of a terrible conflict between Great Britain and Germany. Thus he impersonated me, and by committing these outrages upon the German fleet and harbours he very nearly provoked the war he wished to engineer."It was time for me to dissociate myself with the authorship of these acts of piracy. Although I have registered a solemn oath never to hand my 'Aphrodite' over to the British Government (yet there are times when I feel tempted to perjure myself) I am still an Englishman. Should the Empire require my aid I for my part will do my best. And thus, having succeeded in demonstrating that I could not possibly be responsible for the work of destruction at Wilhelmshaven, Kiel, and elsewhere, I mean to lay in wait for the 'Vorwartz' and destroy her as ruthlessly as I would a venomous reptile. For this purpose, Mr. Hythe, is the 'Aphrodite' now cruising off Cape Ushant, for according to fairly reliable information the 'Vorwartz,' with Karl von Harburg on board, has passed through the straits of Dover bound west."CHAPTER XII.THE "VORWARTZ" IS SIGHTED."Then there is a great possibility of a scrap, sir?" asked Hythe, his face flushing and his eyes glistening at the prospect."Undoubtedly von Harburg will do his best to annihilate the 'Aphrodite,'" replied Captain Restronguet. "Perhaps, after all, I ought to have landed you. It is hardly fair to expose you to danger on my account. But it is not too late. We can put you aboard one of those fishing-luggers.""I am not afraid, sir," exclaimed Hythe, rather indignantly, for the suggestion was not one that he could bear without more than a formal protest."I never for one moment had that idea," remarked Captain Restronguet. "The point I raised is that it would hardly do for me to place you in a dangerous situation while you are my guest on board. It is also unfair to your employers--the Admiralty. Good, bad or indifferent though a naval officer may be he has cost the country a large sum for his professional education, and it seems inconsistent that you should be given a chance of being knocked out in a petty feud.""From what you have just told me the business is more than a private feud," objected the sub. "In order to carry out my part and learn all I can about the vessel it is only reasonable that I should see her under every possible condition. Therein I am doing my duty to My Lords. If I am to be killed in action, well, there's an end of it.""A bit of a fatalist, eh?""In a limited sense. I believe in taking care of myself. For instance----"A telephone bell ringing loudly interrupted Hythe's remark. Captain Restronguet took up the receiver and held it to his ear; then without replying replaced the instrument."I thought we should not be mistaken," he announced. "The 'Vorwartz' is bowling along in our direction. Our detectors make it appear that she's less than ten miles off and running beneath the surface. There is no time to be lost if we want to clear for action."So saying Captain Restronguet hastened to the fore conning-tower. Whether he meant to take the sub with him or otherwise Hythe did not know; so pending directions he remained in the cabin.Every officer and man of the "Aphrodite's" crew knew exactly what had to be done. As if by magic the stanchions and rails were cleared away, the "week's washing" bundled down the fore-hatch and placed in a compartment artificially heated. In two minutes the Upper Platform was deserted, and the water-tight hatches placed in position and properly secured. One touch of an electric push and all the circular scuttles in the vessel's side were simultaneously closed and covered with metal plates.A bell tinkled in the after conning-tower, where Mr. Devoran was in charge. It was the signal that all was in readiness for diving."How is she lying?" asked Captain Restronguet of his chief officer by means of the telephone."Less than two miles due north, sir," replied Devoran, after giving a hasty glance at the electric detector that by means of two indicators automatically recorded the course of the "Vorwartz."Captain Restronguet waited no longer. The time had arrived for the "Aphrodite" to dive and intercept Karl von Harburg's submarine, and only by the fact that the gentle rolling of the vessel had ceased did Hythe realize that she no longer floated on the surface.Left to himself the sub was beginning to get "jumpy." It was a feeling akin to the sensation he experienced on the occasions when he saw the submarine at Spithead and in Cawsand Bay--not fear but nervous excitability. Had he been in the conning-tower he would no doubt have been as cool as a cucumber, being able to see what the others were doing and what was going on outside, as far as the limited range of vision would permit. But to be cooped up in a cabin, utterly alone, and with the possibility of the "Aphrodite" coming off second-best in the encounter that was to ensue did not at all suit the young naval officer.Suddenly he staggered and only saved himself by grasping a corner of the table. The "Aphrodite," running at great speed, had ported her helm. So sensitive was she to the action of the rudder that she turned round almost on her heel, and the effect upon Hythe was similar to that of a man standing in a railway carriage when the train takes a sharp curve.The sub braced himself together. He realized that in his opinion he ought to be taking part in the fun instead of remaining cooped up in a cabin, incapable of raising a finger to save himself should anything occur. He had no doubt as to the justifiability of his resolve; had there been only a private feud between Captain Restronguet and Karl von Harburg he would have hesitated, but the German had been guilty of international outrages. He had actually committed damage to the property of a foreign Government, and by so doing had very nearly succeeded in drawing Great Britain into a dreadful war. On that account Karl von Harburg was a pirate, a national enemy, and as such might be captured or destroyed.Having quickly made up his mind Hythe left the cabin and hurried along the alley-way; but before he had traversed half its length a dull thud seemed to strike the port side of the submarine. The "Aphrodite" staggered under the blow and heeled over to starboard. For some moments the vessel showed no signs of recovering, then slowly she righted and swung over to port, ere she settled in her normal position.At first Hythe thought the "Aphrodite" had been hulled in the for'ard compartment. He expected to see the submarine settling by the bows, and it was to his surprise and relief to find that such a catastrophe had not occurred.When he came to the after bulkhead watertight door he found it secured. To attempt to open it would probably jeopardize the safety of the vessel, and Hythe was too good a sailor to tamper with the securing bars."Might have known that," he growled. "Now, what's to be done."Another thud, this time to starboard, made the "Aphrodite" tremble again, but there was no disconcerting heel following the shock. Hythe had no doubt about it; the concussions were caused by explosions, either of torpedoes or floating mines, outside the vessel."I wonder how many of these she'll stand?" he muttered, clambering up three or four rungs of a ladder and trying a manhole above his head. "Well, here goes. I'll try this hatchway. The cover isn't locked."Back slid the metal slab, and the sub saw that he had opened a means of communication with the after conning-tower. The place was in semi-darkness, only the subdued light from the pale green water filtering in through the observation scuttles. As the electric-light from the alley-way flashed upwards one of the occupants of the conning-tower glanced down and gave an exclamation of annoyance, adding:--"Hurry up and cover that hatchway. How can you expect me to see ahead with that glare under my eyes?""Sorry, Devoran," replied the sub, hastily skipping up the remaining portion of the ladder and replacing the cover."Oh, it's you, is it?" said the chief officer. "Sorry, I thought it was Polglaze. Can't talk now. Stand here, if you will."Devoran indicated a place on his left, so that Hythe could see out of the for'ard and port scuttles. It was some time before his eyes grew accustomed to the half-light; then by degrees he saw that the "Aphrodite" was tearing through the water at a great speed. A hundred feet in front of him he could discern the fore-conning-tower, and beyond that nothing but water that faded into extensive gloom. No sign of the "Vorwartz" was to be seen.Hythe stood and waited. Without doubt the "Aphrodite" was in chase of the rival submarine, so that the latter had attempted strong measures to beat off her pursuer, but the absence of anything to be seen came somewhat like a disappointment to the young naval officer.Suddenly there was a wild disturbance in the water less than twenty yards abeam. Again the sickening concussion even more noticeable within the conning-tower than down below."Torpedo!" ejaculated Devoran. He had no time for further explanation, and Hythe was at a loss to understand how the dangerous missile had exploded without actually coming into contact with the metal plating of the submarine."What's that, by smoke!" ejaculated the chief officer, as in place of the almost inaudible purr of the motors came a most discordant clanging, jawing, and groaning of machinery, while by observing the compass Hythe saw that the "Aphrodite" was describing a wide circle to starboard."You've buckled one of your propeller shaftings," said the sub. "I've had some before. I know what those noises mean.""I hope not, by Jove!" replied Devoran, and almost at that moment the telephone bell operator from the motor room rang. "You're right," continued the chief officer. "It is the propeller shaft; we're knocked out for the time being."Captain Restronguet remained in the fore conning-tower till the indicator of the detector showed that the "Vorwartz" had put a safe distance between her and her pursuer; then leaving the course in the hands of a quartermaster, he gave orders for the "Aphrodite" to be brought to the surface.Hythe would have forborne to question the captain at such an anxious time, but to the former's surprise Captain Restronguet hailed him quite genially and in a manner that showed no trace of his annoyance at being temporarily baffled."Well, Mr. Hythe, wherever have you been?" he asked. "I thought you were following me when I left the cabin, and never missed you till ten minutes ago. You see, I had to keep all my attention on what was going on.""You said nothing about my accompanying you, sir," replied the sub. "As a matter of fact I took the liberty of going up into the after conning-tower.""That was better than remaining below," agreed Captain Restronguet. "Only there was not so much to be seen. From the for'ard tower we caught sight of the 'Vorwartz' on two occasions.""I should have thought you had her in sight the whole time, sir," remarked Hythe. "Otherwise I cannot see how you kept in her track.""By means of the detectors. I can fix the position of the 'Vorwartz' to a nicety, and no doubt that scoundrel of a von Harburg can do the same, thanks to my invention, of which he basely availed himself. I suppose you know he let loose four torpedoes?""Yes; but it puzzled me to know why they exploded so far from the ship.""The 'Aphrodite' can, when desired, be protected by a belt, as it were, of electric fluid, so long as she remains under water. Any explosion brought within that zone would be spontaneously ignited. It was a weak current that knocked all the stuffing out of you, when you were nearly run down at Spithead.""Then, this submarine is practically invulnerable?""When submerged, yes. A mine or a torpedo cannot harm her, and at a depth of fifty feet she is out of all danger of being run down. On the surface she might, if perceived, be a target for a quick-firing gun, or she might be cut in two by a large, swiftly-moving steamer. Von Harburg, did he but know it, has a unique opportunity now our propeller shafting is gone; he might wait till we rose to the surface and then ram us.""But why didn't you torpedo his 'Vorwartz'?" asked Hythe. "Your torpedoes would easily overtake that vessel.""It was in my power to do so," replied Captain Restronguet calmly. "But I refuse to do so in the interests of humanity. It is part of my creed that human life is sacred, and should not be sacrificed unless absolutely necessary.""But you vowed you would destroy the 'Vorwartz'?""Most certainly. What I wanted to do, and what I will, I hope, eventually be able to do, is to play with that wretched counterfeit of my submarine, and drive von Harburg into a state of panic. Then as soon as I can pursue the 'Vorwartz' into comparatively shallow water I will sink her--but if humanly possible, I will save her crew. Come on deck, Mr. Hythe. You will then be able to see how we tackle repairs of this description."The sub followed his host on deck, where about half of the crew were engaged in rigging up a pair of sheer-legs over the stern. At the same time the water ballast was being ejected from the ballast tanks in the sternmost section of the vessel, while the bow compartment tanks correspondingly filled.Lower and lower sank the for'ard portion of the "Aphrodite," while the after end rose out of the water till the blades of the polished propellers were exposed to view. From the head of the sheer-legs a double block was fixed, the tackle being brought to bear upon the damaged shafting."We're in luck, sir," shouted Kenwyn, who had lowered himself over the stern. "The metal is not fractured; it's a length of tarred rope wound round and round the boss of the propeller.""Take axes and cut the rope through," ordered Captain Restronguet, addressing Carclew and Gwennap. "We'll soon clear that."Hythe was not so sanguine. He had known rope to baffle the efforts of half a dozen men working for two hours in a similar case, for the strain is so great that the entanglement is compressed into a solid mass almost as hard as steel."Might I suggest a hack-saw?" he said. "That will do better, since there is less danger of harming the metal than with an axe. If you have no objection, sir, I will bear a hand.""Certainly," replied Captain Restronguet.Glad of an opportunity of doing something the sub borrowed a working suit, and with a bowline under his arms was lowered over the stern, where the two men were already astride the propeller brackets.Hitherto the sea had been fairly calm, but with provoking suddenness the wind piped up, and vicious little wavelets began to splash over the energetic toilers. Desperately they hacked at the stubborn rope, removing the coils piece-meal. Higher and higher rose the waves, till the work became hazardous."Pass me that long marline-spike, Gwennap," exclaimed Hythe. The man leant forward with the pointed piece of steel in his hand. As he did so a sea swept over him; he dropped the marline-spike and grabbed frantically at one blade of the propeller; missed it, and the next instant was struggling in the sea.
CHAPTER X.
THE SECOND OFFICER RETURNS.
Captain Restronguet remained in his cabin till nearly ten o'clock, then, going into an adjoining dressing-room, he changed into his "duty clothes," donned a thick coat and india-rubber boots, and made his way for'ard to the diving-room in the fore compartment.
Here the men had unshipped the collapsible boat, but as yet it had not been unfolded.
"Are you going to bring her to the surface, sir?" asked Polglaze, seeing that his captain was in his great coat.
"Yes, I have decided to do so," replied Captain Restronguet. "Bring the boat under the upper hatchway, Lancarrow, and you, Gwennap, I want you to lay out a kedge up stream. See that the flukes engage in the rubble-work in the base of the centre-pier of the bridge, and run out another kedge aft."
Lancarrow and Gwennap promptly donned their diving suits and entered the "water-lock," taking with them the anchors and a length of stout Manila rope. Twenty minutes later they returned, the water dripping from their glistening garb.
"All correct, sir," reported Lancarrow, as soon as his headdress was removed. "Nothing short of the rope parting will set us adrift, and there's precious little tide running now. I took good care to ram the fluke of the kedges well home."
"What is it like up above--dark?"
"I went up to have a look round, sir," announced Gwennap. "It is a pitch-dark night, the stars are in, and there's hardly a breath of wind."
"Good!" exclaimed Captain Restronguet approvingly. "Pass the word to Mr. Devoran to bring the vessel awash."
The water in two of the buoyancy tanks was quickly expelled, and majestically the huge submerged hull rose from the bed of the river, till with her deck just a few inches above the surface she fretted gently at her mooring-rope.
Being immediately below the massive pier of the Tubular Bridge there was no danger of a passing vessel--should one be under way at that hour--colliding with the "Aphrodite"; while owing to the darkness and the light-absorbing powers of her hull she was absolutely invisible at a boat's length off.
Rapidly yet silently the hatch on deck was unfastened and slid back. The collapsible boat, weighing less than sixty pounds, was passed through, extended, and kept in position by means of stretchers.
Carclew and Gwennap tossed the oars into the frail craft, and holding the painter launched her over the side.
"Ready, sir," whispered the latter.
Captain Restronguet immediately came on deck and stepped agilely into the boat; the bowman pushed off, the oars dipped, and the canvas cockleshell darted in the direction of Coombe Bay, a tidal indentation just south of the town of Saltash.
"Thank goodness it is a fairly black night," muttered Captain Restronguet. Beyond the pontoon lights at Saltash, the signal lamps of the railway, and the riding lights of a few vessels lying at the buoys on the west side of the river, all was in darkness. To gain the entrance to Coombe Bay it was necessary to pass between two cruisers, whose anchor lamps glimmered fitfully, throwing scintillating reflections on the placid water.
"Boat ahoy!" challenged the look-out on the nearest vessel.
The captain of the "Aphrodite" was equal to the occasion.
"Passing!" he roared, using the shibboleth laid down in the Naval Regulations for this contingency.
This reply apparently satisfied the look-out, and without further interruption the canvas boat drew into the shallow waters of Coombe Bay. Fortunately the tide was nearly at the full, and still rising, and hence no danger of being stranded on the mud was likely to occur.
"Easy, men," cautioned Captain Restronguet, as the gaunt outlines of the railway bridge spanning the creek loomed up against the darkness. Then, "Lay on your oars."
Gradually losing way the boat drifted on till it grounded on the shingle hard at the foot of the bridge. The boat's crew listened intently; beyond the distant rumble of a belated train, and the faint hoot of a liner's syren away out in the Sound, all was still.
Ten minutes passed. Captain Restronguet knitted his brows in perplexity.
"There's some one, sir," whispered Gwennap, as the cautious scrunching of a man's boots upon the shingle could be faintly heard. Then a dark figure appeared out of the night.
"Is that you, Kenwyn?" demanded the Captain in a low voice.
"Ay, ay, sir."
"Then jump in; I thought you had missed us."
"Couldn't get here any sooner, sir," said the man apologetically. "I was stopped and questioned by a patrol as I came down from the station. There are launches up and down the river, I am told, looking for us."
"The deuce there are!" exclaimed Captain Restronguet; then in a calmer tone he added, "We must risk it. Perhaps it is my fault; but I don't think they'll look for the 'Aphrodite' so close to the bridge. Give way, men."
On gaining the main stream, greatly to the relief of all in the boat, no red and green lights of patrolling launches were to be seen. Boldly Captain Restronguet steered across the bows of the cruiser that had hailed him on the outward trip. To lurk inshore would be courting suspicion.
"Boat ahoy!" came the hail from the lookout.
Captain Restronguet replied as before, but this time the look-out was not satisfied.
"What boat is that?" he shouted.
"Customs!" roared the captain with a lucky inspiration.
Muttering a malediction on all custom-house officials, especially on those in this particular boat, the seaman resumed his walk up and down the fo'c'sle deck. He remembered a certain half a pound of tobacco that had got him into trouble with His Majesty's Customs, and the incident still rankled in his manly bosom.
Without further interruption the boat ran alongside the deck of the "Aphrodite." Her crew jumped aboard the parent vessel, hauled the collapsible on deck and folded it.
"Look sharp, sir!" exclaimed Gwennap. "There's a steam-boat bearing right down upon us."
There was no time to be lost. Hastily the folded boat was dropped through the hatchway, her crew quickly followed and the hatch was reclosed. One touch and the emergency chambers were flooded, and the submarine began to sink to the bed of the river. It was a close thing for the picquet boat. Had she been a quarter of a minute earlier they would have stove her bows in against the massive plating of the elusive vessel. As it was she passed over the after-conning-tower with less than half a fathom of water to spare, utterly ignorant of the narrow escape she had had.
"Welcome home once more, Kenwyn!" said Mr. Devoran cordially, extending his hand, which the new arrival gripped like a vice and shook like a pump-handle.
Had the chief officer of Southsea Coast Guard Station, or P.C. 445 of the A Division of the Borough of Portsmouth Police been present at this reunion, they would have had no difficulty in recognizing Mr. Kenwyn as the quiet and very retiring unknown who had landed under most unusual circumstances on Southsea Beach.
"I had to abandon my diving-suit, sir," explained Kenwyn, who served on board the submarine in the capacity of second officer.
"That I have already learnt from Press reports," replied Captain Restronguet. "And I was glad to know that you took particular pains to get rid of the air reservoir. That did the authorities nicely; they are welcome to the dress, and if they can analyse the metal it is composed of they are also at liberty to make use of the secret. It has not been patented. But how came you to get out of your bearings, Kenwyn? I notice you had to concoct a cock and bull yarn about walking from the beach at Gosport."
"I never tell a lie, sir, under any conditions. As a matter of fact, after I left the 'Aphrodite' I did go ashore at Gosport, somewhere behind a yacht yard. No one saw me. I then tried to cross to the Portsmouth side of the harbour to try and recover the submarine welding tool that Carnon, you may remember, dropped when we examined the entrance to No. 5 Shipbuilding Slip. Before I realized it the ebb tide caught me, and I was whisked off down the harbour at a rate of at least seven knots. As soon as I felt the current slacken I took compass bearings and came ashore, and the rest you know."
"You have, of course, heard that we have a naval officer on board?"
"Heard? Rather. The papers are full of it, sir, and every one is talking about it. At Exeter Station and again at Millbay, on my journey down, it was the sole topic of conversation on the platform."
"And how does the Great British Public like it?"
"In a general sense they are thankful it is no worse, so to speak. It is recognized that you are a power that cannot lightly be ignored, and your magnanimity (that is the way they put it) has created quite a favourable impression. Even in the House it was suggested that it would be a master-stroke in world supremacy if you could be induced to hand over the 'Aphrodite'----"
"Never!" declared Captain Restronguet vehemently, and bringing his fist down heavily upon the table. "Never! They had their chance, but foolishly threw it away. Now, gentlemen, it is nearly one o'clock. I, for one, will be glad to have a few hours' rest," and with an inclination of his head Captain Restronguet retired to his sleeping quarters.
CHAPTER XI.
CONCERNING CAPTAIN RESTRONGUET'S RIVAL.
It was broad daylight when Arnold Hythe awoke. He was surprised to find the "Aphrodite" lifting to the heave of the open sea, and the sunlight pouring in through a small circular scuttle above his bunk. Hastily springing out of bed he looked out. As far as his limited vision extended he could see nothing but blue water--a sure sign that the submarine was far from land. Judging by the apparent motion of the waves the "Aphrodite" was running at a bare ten knots--possibly less. And a few hours previously she had been lying motionless on the bed of the River Tamar.
Slung to the beams overhead was a metal bath, of a similar pattern to those supplied for officers' use in the Royal Navy, while in the bulkhead were two taps marked "hot" and "cold." On a chair by his bunk were his clothes, brushed and folded, while quite a large stock of new under-garments were lying on a folding table.
Hythe always prided himself upon being a sound sleeper, yet able to arouse at the slightest sound, but for once at least his faith in his capabilities received a rude shock. Some one had certainly entered whilst he slept, and also the "Aphrodite" had made a lengthy trip without his being aware of it.
The astonished young officer quickly tubbed and dressed. Then it occurred to him that he had not shaved. Lying on the dressing-table was a safety razor, also brand-new. Evidently his host had left nothing undone to contribute to the comfort of his guest.
His toilet completed Hythe stepped out into the alley-way. At the fore-end, and hitherto unnoticed by him, was a hatchway. It was now open and a ladder had been shipped under it.
An appetizing odour came from the captain's cabin. It made the sub feel hungry; but curiosity conquered, and he made his way on deck, or on Platform Number One as Captain Restronguet preferred to call it.
Hythe found himself on a flat deck nearly two hundred feet in length, and unbroken save for the low coamings of three hatchways and the fore and aft conning-towers. Metal stanchions and rails had been placed in position round the sides to prevent anyone from slipping overboard. As the sub looked down on the deck he noticed that, like the sides, it reflected his own image and those of other persons and objects on deck, but there was no dazzling glare from the sun that was now high in the heavens.
Clustered for'ard between the bows and the foremost conning-tower were nearly every member of the crew: twenty-five stalwart men all dressed in plain but serviceable rig. Pacing up and down between the two conning-towers were Mr. Devoran and some one whom Hythe had not previously seen--the Second Officer Kenwyn.
As they turned at the end of their promenade the two men caught sight of the sub.
"Good morning, Mr. Hythe," said the chief mate genially. "Quite a fine day after our sample of the English climate, eh? By the by, I don't think you know Kenwyn, our second officer? He only rejoined last night."
The three engaged in conversation of general interest for a few minutes, then Mr. Devoran asked Hythe if he had seen the captain that morning.
"Not yet," replied the sub. "I came straight on deck. It was a surprise to find myself at sea. Where are we?"
"Nearly twenty miles S.W. of Ushant," replied the chief mate. "We shall be cruising about here for a few days, as we expect to fall in with a certain vessel. We have left English waters for a time, at all events, but you need not worry about that, for the captain informed me that he received a reply to his note at four this morning. You are officially 'lent' to the 'Aphrodite' until further orders. But breakfast is ready, and Captain Restronguet will explain matters more fully."
The captain greeted Hythe with great affability, and both thoroughly hungry did justice to a good breakfast. Very little was said, and when the meal was over Captain Restronguet left the sub to his own devices while he made the customary rounds of the vessel under his command.
Accordingly Hythe went on deck once more. The "Aphrodite" was slowly forging ahead at a bare five knots, her course being N.N.W ¼ W. That meant although not actually retracing her course she was heading at an acute angle to it. It was a sort of "wash-and-mend clothes day," a function resembling the time-honoured custom of keeping Thursday afternoon on board the ships of His Majesty's Navy.
The French coast was still invisible, but less than five miles off the sky line was broken by curiously cut tanned sails of the Concarneau fishing fleet. Away to the north-west a huge liner, looking without masts and funnels more like an exaggerated Noah's Ark than anything else, was pelting through the water at a modest thirty-three knots. Perhaps had her officer of the watch chanced to direct his telescope in the direction of the "Aphrodite" he would at once conclude that he had sighted the sea serpent, for, owing to the invisible hue of her hull only the seated figures of the men on deck would come within the field of vision.
The submarine was floating fairly high out of the water. More than half of her ballast tanks had been "started," and consequently there was sufficient freeboard to allow the side scuttles to be opened. With considerable buoyancy she rolled a good deal, but with a true-born sailor's delight Hythe revelled in the motion.
At noon Captain Restronguet appeared on deck. Kenwyn had just "shot the sun" and was working out the vessel's position.
"It's about time she was here, Devoran," remarked the captain. "That is, if the report is authentic. Has the submarine detector given no warning?"
"No, sir, I've stationed Polglaze by it, and he won't be caught napping. She couldn't have passed before we arrived, sir?"
"I made due allowances, giving her ten knots above her estimated speed. But we must exercise patience. Ah! Mr. Hythe, no doubt you are wondering why we are dodging about here instead of playing harmless little tricks upon His Britannic Majesty's ships and naval establishments? Well, I think I ought to give you some explanation, so if you will kindly step below we can talk without interruption."
"By the by," continued Captain Restronguet, as the two men made their way to the cabin, "you asked me how the 'Aphrodite' is manoeuvred to bring her to the surface and vice versa. We have three distinct methods. The first is by means of horizontal rudders, there being a pair at both bow and stern; the second is by means of expelling water ballast, which is all very well so long as the ejecting pumps work properly. Hitherto we have had no trouble in this direction, but it is well to be prepared. Consequently we employ a third method--one for use in emergencies only. I make no secret of the fact that I borrowed the idea from the French. I prefer to be original, but at the same time in the interests of my crew I do not hesitate to adopt well-established devices. To each of the three sections of this vessel is fixed a detachable iron keel. The bolts are secured on the keelson by a single yet effective looking device. One thrust of a lever and a section of this keel is dropped. Should a compartment be half full of water there is sufficient buoyancy gained by the release of this dead-weight to lift the vessel to the surface."
"Isn't there a chance of the 'Aphrodite' buckling her plates in a heavy sea with that dead-weight split into three separate sections?" asked Hythe.
"As far as the 'Aphrodite' is concerned there are no heavy seas," replied his host. "At the first suspicion of bad weather we dive to eight fathoms, or more if necessary. Since, even in mid-Atlantic the waves rarely exceed forty feet in height, and the depth maintained by the submarine is regulated by the vertical height of water over her, there is nothing to be feared as far as the 'hogging' and 'sagging' stresses are concerned."
At Captain Restronguet's invitation the sub threw himself into an easy chair. He was eager to hear everything about this mysterious man and his marvellous vessel, and the fact that the Admiralty had given a formal consent for him to remain on board as an official observer relieved him of all anxiety.
"You may have noticed," said Captain Restronguet, "that I hinted that I had had a quarrel with the Admiralty. First let me tell you my real name is not Restronguet. What it is is outside the question."
"The name is French, I believe?"
"No, Cornish. Had you been well acquainted with the district around Falmouth you would have recognized the names of Restronguet, Kenwyn, Devoran and the rest of my crew as those of places in what I consider the foremost county in England. Of course that is a matter of opinion, but that opinion is shared by every Cornishman.
"Some years back my father owned several copper mines, or wheals as we call them, in the neighbourhood of Redruth, and as, in time, I would have control of them, had articled me to an electrical engineer in order that I might get an insight into that branch before I took over the mining supervision. Hardly was my apprenticeship complete when the wheals failed and my father was a ruined man. He died shortly afterwards and I was thrown utterly on my own resources, and although I was very sore about it at the time I have since realized that misfortune is often the purifying fire of a man's strength of mind.
"Just about that time the South African War broke out. I volunteered for the front, and was accepted. There I saw enough of war--although supposed to be conducted under the most humane principles--to make me hate it. You may look astonished, Mr. Hythe, but I mean what I say. War might be a necessary evil, but all the same it must be avoided if possible. You do not know how thankful I am that the present crisis between Great Britain and Germany is over. It may sound paradoxical, but with this powerful instrument of destruction under my control I hope to be a deterrent to any Power that attempts to dispute the supremacy of the sea with the country that is mine by birth.
"But to proceed. On my return to England I was down on my luck, and as a final resource I joined the electrical department of Devonport Dockyard as a fitter. It was not long before I saw that there was little chance of bettering myself. I had ability and energy, but no influence. Profiting by the experience gained in my apprenticeship I devised an improved method of electrical welding. It saved hundreds, possibly thousands of pounds, and I was rewarded with a paltry bonus of forty shillings.
"Needless to say I was very sick about it. Then an opportunity came. The copper boom revived the Cornish mining industry. The 'wheals' that my father had left me became prosperous, and I was able to throw up my employment with an unsympathetic State Employer. Arguing that a wave of failure might once more return over the mining industry I sold those under my control to a Company; took all my best workmen and one or two of my special friends--Devoran and Kenwyn amongst them--and bought a concession in the Island of Sumatra.
"Sumatra is a Dutch colony, as you doubtless know. The Dutch officials lack the energy of their fellow-countrymen at home and the consequence is that the whole of the Dutch East Indies stagnates. For years past the Germans have had an eye on those islands, but my belief is that Japan will be the future master of them. Possibly that accounts for numbers of Germans who settle in Sumatra and Java.
"Personally I rather like the German, when free from the excessive officialdom that pervades in the German Empire. They are good colonists, hard-working and law-abiding, in every foreign possession save their own, for in the latter the blighting effect of the be-uniformed official is fatal to individual success. We got on very well with our neighbours on the adjoining concessions, with one exception. That exception was a German named Karl von Harburg."
Captain Restronguet paused as if he feared that the growing excitability would overmaster him. He was evidently labouring under a strong recollection of bygone insults. Hythe had the sense to keep silence, he realized that the listener is the one who hears most.
"But before I say anything more about Karl von Harburg," continued the Captain, "I must mention another incident. The concession I had acquired paid beyond all expectations, for not only were copper and tin found in abundance but also gold. We were all rich men. Some of my workmen went back to Redruth; others, having no home ties, and liking the free open life, stayed on. Since I was naturally fond of electrical engineering and the allied sciences, I spent a great deal of my time experimenting. One day, almost by accident, I discovered an alloy--as light as aluminium, absolutely showing no traces of corrosion when exposed to the action of salt water, as proof against acids as pure gold, and possessing the strength and resilience of steel. It was also as non-porous as a metal can possibly be. Under pressure that would cause water to 'weep' through a steel vessel, a cylinder made of this metal showed no sign of moisture. I realized that I had made a discovery that would prove of inestimable value in the construction of air-ships, and as at that time the Admiralty were 'tied up in knots' over the utter failure of the naval airship 'Mayfly,' I sent a sheet of the metal to a trusted agent in London with instructions to submit it to My Lords.
"Believe me from that day to this, beyond a curt acknowledgment and a bald statement that the subject was under consideration, I have heard nothing further of the matter. I was angry--disgusted because the powers that be had bluntly shut their eyes to an actual discovery that would give Great Britain the command of the air.
"Since airmanship did not appeal to me I resolved to make use of my discovery in another direction. By further experiments I found that my metal 'Restronium,' I have been ambitious enough to call it, could be made capable of absorbing bright light, yet at close distance would act as a reflector. The result was that I devised a submarine, steel-clad, and cased with restronium. It was constructed by native workmen under the supervision of my comrades and myself.
"The craft was a success. It prompted me to attempt another on a more ambitious scale, but ere it was completed Karl von Harburg appeared on the scene.
"This fellow is as crafty as a rogue can possibly be. By his German co-colonists he was cordially hated. He had ability but was lazy. His factory did not do so well as the others; instead of working harder he sulked. In the Fatherland he had once held a high diplomatic position. He it was who a few years back tried to force a quarrel upon Holland in order that a pretext might be found for Germany to acquire a longer coast-line on the shores of the North Sea. He failed, and since failure is not tolerated in Teutonic diplomatic circles, he was disgraced. He came to Sumatra, ostensibly with the idea of working a concession, but in reality looking for an opportunity of recovering his lost prestige by smoothing the way for a German annexation of the Dutch East Indies. Again he failed--how and why I need not now mention; but rightly or wrongly he formed the idea that I had a say in the matter.
"He had his revenge. He stole the secret of my new alloy. He obtained possession of the plans of my latest submarine, the 'Aphrodite,' and set himself to build a vessel that would be more powerful than mine. But he had not mastered one important idea--the secret of the defensive and offensive powers of my vessel.
"It was a case of war to the knife. His idea was to take his submarine--the 'Vorwartz' he named her--into British waters and deliberately do as much destruction to British ships of war and merchantmen as he possibly could; this with the idea of giving the Fatherland an advantage in the coming naval war that has been so long anticipated and which has not yet, thank God, caused untold misery and disaster to two nations who could be rivals yet friends.
"That is where I stepped in. I sent word and told the fellow plainly that the 'Aphrodite' was also bound for British waters, and that I would take the first opportunity of smashing up the 'Vorwartz' should one hostile act be committed against British property. That frightened him, for at heart he is a coward. Accordingly Karl von Harburg, knowing that the 'Aphrodite' had left for the Atlantic, concocted a truly diabolical plot. He deliberately navigated his 'Vorwartz' to German waters and committed outrages against his own country."
"Whatever for?" asked the Sub. "It is inconceivable."
"To a Briton, yes!" assented Captain Restronguet. "But Karl von Harburg had no compunction. He had a spite against his Government, he had a grudge against me; and whatever the issue he had nothing to lose by being the means of a terrible conflict between Great Britain and Germany. Thus he impersonated me, and by committing these outrages upon the German fleet and harbours he very nearly provoked the war he wished to engineer.
"It was time for me to dissociate myself with the authorship of these acts of piracy. Although I have registered a solemn oath never to hand my 'Aphrodite' over to the British Government (yet there are times when I feel tempted to perjure myself) I am still an Englishman. Should the Empire require my aid I for my part will do my best. And thus, having succeeded in demonstrating that I could not possibly be responsible for the work of destruction at Wilhelmshaven, Kiel, and elsewhere, I mean to lay in wait for the 'Vorwartz' and destroy her as ruthlessly as I would a venomous reptile. For this purpose, Mr. Hythe, is the 'Aphrodite' now cruising off Cape Ushant, for according to fairly reliable information the 'Vorwartz,' with Karl von Harburg on board, has passed through the straits of Dover bound west."
CHAPTER XII.
THE "VORWARTZ" IS SIGHTED.
"Then there is a great possibility of a scrap, sir?" asked Hythe, his face flushing and his eyes glistening at the prospect.
"Undoubtedly von Harburg will do his best to annihilate the 'Aphrodite,'" replied Captain Restronguet. "Perhaps, after all, I ought to have landed you. It is hardly fair to expose you to danger on my account. But it is not too late. We can put you aboard one of those fishing-luggers."
"I am not afraid, sir," exclaimed Hythe, rather indignantly, for the suggestion was not one that he could bear without more than a formal protest.
"I never for one moment had that idea," remarked Captain Restronguet. "The point I raised is that it would hardly do for me to place you in a dangerous situation while you are my guest on board. It is also unfair to your employers--the Admiralty. Good, bad or indifferent though a naval officer may be he has cost the country a large sum for his professional education, and it seems inconsistent that you should be given a chance of being knocked out in a petty feud."
"From what you have just told me the business is more than a private feud," objected the sub. "In order to carry out my part and learn all I can about the vessel it is only reasonable that I should see her under every possible condition. Therein I am doing my duty to My Lords. If I am to be killed in action, well, there's an end of it."
"A bit of a fatalist, eh?"
"In a limited sense. I believe in taking care of myself. For instance----"
A telephone bell ringing loudly interrupted Hythe's remark. Captain Restronguet took up the receiver and held it to his ear; then without replying replaced the instrument.
"I thought we should not be mistaken," he announced. "The 'Vorwartz' is bowling along in our direction. Our detectors make it appear that she's less than ten miles off and running beneath the surface. There is no time to be lost if we want to clear for action."
So saying Captain Restronguet hastened to the fore conning-tower. Whether he meant to take the sub with him or otherwise Hythe did not know; so pending directions he remained in the cabin.
Every officer and man of the "Aphrodite's" crew knew exactly what had to be done. As if by magic the stanchions and rails were cleared away, the "week's washing" bundled down the fore-hatch and placed in a compartment artificially heated. In two minutes the Upper Platform was deserted, and the water-tight hatches placed in position and properly secured. One touch of an electric push and all the circular scuttles in the vessel's side were simultaneously closed and covered with metal plates.
A bell tinkled in the after conning-tower, where Mr. Devoran was in charge. It was the signal that all was in readiness for diving.
"How is she lying?" asked Captain Restronguet of his chief officer by means of the telephone.
"Less than two miles due north, sir," replied Devoran, after giving a hasty glance at the electric detector that by means of two indicators automatically recorded the course of the "Vorwartz."
Captain Restronguet waited no longer. The time had arrived for the "Aphrodite" to dive and intercept Karl von Harburg's submarine, and only by the fact that the gentle rolling of the vessel had ceased did Hythe realize that she no longer floated on the surface.
Left to himself the sub was beginning to get "jumpy." It was a feeling akin to the sensation he experienced on the occasions when he saw the submarine at Spithead and in Cawsand Bay--not fear but nervous excitability. Had he been in the conning-tower he would no doubt have been as cool as a cucumber, being able to see what the others were doing and what was going on outside, as far as the limited range of vision would permit. But to be cooped up in a cabin, utterly alone, and with the possibility of the "Aphrodite" coming off second-best in the encounter that was to ensue did not at all suit the young naval officer.
Suddenly he staggered and only saved himself by grasping a corner of the table. The "Aphrodite," running at great speed, had ported her helm. So sensitive was she to the action of the rudder that she turned round almost on her heel, and the effect upon Hythe was similar to that of a man standing in a railway carriage when the train takes a sharp curve.
The sub braced himself together. He realized that in his opinion he ought to be taking part in the fun instead of remaining cooped up in a cabin, incapable of raising a finger to save himself should anything occur. He had no doubt as to the justifiability of his resolve; had there been only a private feud between Captain Restronguet and Karl von Harburg he would have hesitated, but the German had been guilty of international outrages. He had actually committed damage to the property of a foreign Government, and by so doing had very nearly succeeded in drawing Great Britain into a dreadful war. On that account Karl von Harburg was a pirate, a national enemy, and as such might be captured or destroyed.
Having quickly made up his mind Hythe left the cabin and hurried along the alley-way; but before he had traversed half its length a dull thud seemed to strike the port side of the submarine. The "Aphrodite" staggered under the blow and heeled over to starboard. For some moments the vessel showed no signs of recovering, then slowly she righted and swung over to port, ere she settled in her normal position.
At first Hythe thought the "Aphrodite" had been hulled in the for'ard compartment. He expected to see the submarine settling by the bows, and it was to his surprise and relief to find that such a catastrophe had not occurred.
When he came to the after bulkhead watertight door he found it secured. To attempt to open it would probably jeopardize the safety of the vessel, and Hythe was too good a sailor to tamper with the securing bars.
"Might have known that," he growled. "Now, what's to be done."
Another thud, this time to starboard, made the "Aphrodite" tremble again, but there was no disconcerting heel following the shock. Hythe had no doubt about it; the concussions were caused by explosions, either of torpedoes or floating mines, outside the vessel.
"I wonder how many of these she'll stand?" he muttered, clambering up three or four rungs of a ladder and trying a manhole above his head. "Well, here goes. I'll try this hatchway. The cover isn't locked."
Back slid the metal slab, and the sub saw that he had opened a means of communication with the after conning-tower. The place was in semi-darkness, only the subdued light from the pale green water filtering in through the observation scuttles. As the electric-light from the alley-way flashed upwards one of the occupants of the conning-tower glanced down and gave an exclamation of annoyance, adding:--
"Hurry up and cover that hatchway. How can you expect me to see ahead with that glare under my eyes?"
"Sorry, Devoran," replied the sub, hastily skipping up the remaining portion of the ladder and replacing the cover.
"Oh, it's you, is it?" said the chief officer. "Sorry, I thought it was Polglaze. Can't talk now. Stand here, if you will."
Devoran indicated a place on his left, so that Hythe could see out of the for'ard and port scuttles. It was some time before his eyes grew accustomed to the half-light; then by degrees he saw that the "Aphrodite" was tearing through the water at a great speed. A hundred feet in front of him he could discern the fore-conning-tower, and beyond that nothing but water that faded into extensive gloom. No sign of the "Vorwartz" was to be seen.
Hythe stood and waited. Without doubt the "Aphrodite" was in chase of the rival submarine, so that the latter had attempted strong measures to beat off her pursuer, but the absence of anything to be seen came somewhat like a disappointment to the young naval officer.
Suddenly there was a wild disturbance in the water less than twenty yards abeam. Again the sickening concussion even more noticeable within the conning-tower than down below.
"Torpedo!" ejaculated Devoran. He had no time for further explanation, and Hythe was at a loss to understand how the dangerous missile had exploded without actually coming into contact with the metal plating of the submarine.
"What's that, by smoke!" ejaculated the chief officer, as in place of the almost inaudible purr of the motors came a most discordant clanging, jawing, and groaning of machinery, while by observing the compass Hythe saw that the "Aphrodite" was describing a wide circle to starboard.
"You've buckled one of your propeller shaftings," said the sub. "I've had some before. I know what those noises mean."
"I hope not, by Jove!" replied Devoran, and almost at that moment the telephone bell operator from the motor room rang. "You're right," continued the chief officer. "It is the propeller shaft; we're knocked out for the time being."
Captain Restronguet remained in the fore conning-tower till the indicator of the detector showed that the "Vorwartz" had put a safe distance between her and her pursuer; then leaving the course in the hands of a quartermaster, he gave orders for the "Aphrodite" to be brought to the surface.
Hythe would have forborne to question the captain at such an anxious time, but to the former's surprise Captain Restronguet hailed him quite genially and in a manner that showed no trace of his annoyance at being temporarily baffled.
"Well, Mr. Hythe, wherever have you been?" he asked. "I thought you were following me when I left the cabin, and never missed you till ten minutes ago. You see, I had to keep all my attention on what was going on."
"You said nothing about my accompanying you, sir," replied the sub. "As a matter of fact I took the liberty of going up into the after conning-tower."
"That was better than remaining below," agreed Captain Restronguet. "Only there was not so much to be seen. From the for'ard tower we caught sight of the 'Vorwartz' on two occasions."
"I should have thought you had her in sight the whole time, sir," remarked Hythe. "Otherwise I cannot see how you kept in her track."
"By means of the detectors. I can fix the position of the 'Vorwartz' to a nicety, and no doubt that scoundrel of a von Harburg can do the same, thanks to my invention, of which he basely availed himself. I suppose you know he let loose four torpedoes?"
"Yes; but it puzzled me to know why they exploded so far from the ship."
"The 'Aphrodite' can, when desired, be protected by a belt, as it were, of electric fluid, so long as she remains under water. Any explosion brought within that zone would be spontaneously ignited. It was a weak current that knocked all the stuffing out of you, when you were nearly run down at Spithead."
"Then, this submarine is practically invulnerable?"
"When submerged, yes. A mine or a torpedo cannot harm her, and at a depth of fifty feet she is out of all danger of being run down. On the surface she might, if perceived, be a target for a quick-firing gun, or she might be cut in two by a large, swiftly-moving steamer. Von Harburg, did he but know it, has a unique opportunity now our propeller shafting is gone; he might wait till we rose to the surface and then ram us."
"But why didn't you torpedo his 'Vorwartz'?" asked Hythe. "Your torpedoes would easily overtake that vessel."
"It was in my power to do so," replied Captain Restronguet calmly. "But I refuse to do so in the interests of humanity. It is part of my creed that human life is sacred, and should not be sacrificed unless absolutely necessary."
"But you vowed you would destroy the 'Vorwartz'?"
"Most certainly. What I wanted to do, and what I will, I hope, eventually be able to do, is to play with that wretched counterfeit of my submarine, and drive von Harburg into a state of panic. Then as soon as I can pursue the 'Vorwartz' into comparatively shallow water I will sink her--but if humanly possible, I will save her crew. Come on deck, Mr. Hythe. You will then be able to see how we tackle repairs of this description."
The sub followed his host on deck, where about half of the crew were engaged in rigging up a pair of sheer-legs over the stern. At the same time the water ballast was being ejected from the ballast tanks in the sternmost section of the vessel, while the bow compartment tanks correspondingly filled.
Lower and lower sank the for'ard portion of the "Aphrodite," while the after end rose out of the water till the blades of the polished propellers were exposed to view. From the head of the sheer-legs a double block was fixed, the tackle being brought to bear upon the damaged shafting.
"We're in luck, sir," shouted Kenwyn, who had lowered himself over the stern. "The metal is not fractured; it's a length of tarred rope wound round and round the boss of the propeller."
"Take axes and cut the rope through," ordered Captain Restronguet, addressing Carclew and Gwennap. "We'll soon clear that."
Hythe was not so sanguine. He had known rope to baffle the efforts of half a dozen men working for two hours in a similar case, for the strain is so great that the entanglement is compressed into a solid mass almost as hard as steel.
"Might I suggest a hack-saw?" he said. "That will do better, since there is less danger of harming the metal than with an axe. If you have no objection, sir, I will bear a hand."
"Certainly," replied Captain Restronguet.
Glad of an opportunity of doing something the sub borrowed a working suit, and with a bowline under his arms was lowered over the stern, where the two men were already astride the propeller brackets.
Hitherto the sea had been fairly calm, but with provoking suddenness the wind piped up, and vicious little wavelets began to splash over the energetic toilers. Desperately they hacked at the stubborn rope, removing the coils piece-meal. Higher and higher rose the waves, till the work became hazardous.
"Pass me that long marline-spike, Gwennap," exclaimed Hythe. The man leant forward with the pointed piece of steel in his hand. As he did so a sea swept over him; he dropped the marline-spike and grabbed frantically at one blade of the propeller; missed it, and the next instant was struggling in the sea.