CHAPTER XXXIII.
HYTHE'S MASTERSTROKE.
Early in the month of November Captain Gregory Pinney, master and ownerof the ocean-going tug "Wayfarer," registered at the Port of Falmouth,was the recipient of a telegram transmitted through the Lizard signalstation.
"Send vessel to meet submarine 'Aphrodite' 4 miles S.S.E. of Lizard atnoon on the 12th inst--Restronguet."
The worthy skipper was obviously perplexed. He rather suspected that itwas a bogus message, sent by a rival firm so that their tugs could pickup a remuneration job in the absence of the "Wayfarer." That was hisconstruction of the matter, and his views he communicated to hispartner, 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 forfurther particulars, and received a confirmatory answer with theadditional 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. "Submarinesdon't want tugs to give 'em a pluck into port, and Falmouth, too, of allplaces. 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 CaptainRestronguet's telegram the momentous news would never have spreadabroad, for the skipper of the "Wayfarer" was, for a Cornishman,extremely reticent. Captain Hiram Varco was almost the reverse, andhappening to fall in with an enterprising reporter of _The CornishRiviera Express_, he waxed eloquent over a friendly glass of doublecider.
Next day the London papers published the news, not without comments, forwhile it was tacitly accepted the message was perfectly genuine, nosatisfactory reason could be assigned to Captain Restronguet's motive inrequisitioning a tug.
Steps were taken to give the "Aphrodite" and her gallant crew a rousingwelcome. Excursion steamers, laid up for the winter, were hurriedlychartered by speculative syndicates and sent round to Falmouth. Longbefore the fateful Twelfth all the accommodation was booked at a guineaa head. Fishing-boats, risking the Board of Trade regulations, becametemporary pleasure craft; luggers, quay-punts, and even frail rowingboats were hired, so that should weather permit, a general exodus of thevarious craft for Falmouth Harbour would take place--an event to betalked about in years to come by the old salts of the West country.Great Britain in general and Cornwall in particular, meant to show theproper way to welcome home a national, nay, world-wide hero.
* * * * *
Dawn was just breaking when the "Aphrodite" sighted the powerful whiteflash-light of the Lizard. The submarine had made short work of the runacross the bay and had arrived off the English coast some hours earlierthan Captain Restronguet had anticipated.
"I thought better of Captain Pinney," remarked Captain Restronguet toHythe 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 tosee us arrive. I think I can promise that they won't be disappointed ofa spectacle."
Captain Restronguet and his guest were early on deck. The sea wassmooth, the air mild for the time of year, nevertheless they were gladof their great-coats after sweltering under the African sun.
"Will nothing alter your decision, sir?" asked the sub almostpleadingly.
"Nothing, my dear Hythe. A promise with me is a promise, even if madein over-hastiness. I might regret it; but the fact remains that I havesworn never to hand my invention over to the British Government.Consequently I have sent for a Falmouth tug to remove the crew and theirpersonal 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 indicatedthe depth is more than forty fathoms. The sea will hold my secret, andfrom the cliffs about the Lizard I can stand and gaze upon the tomb ofmy invention."
"But isn't this carrying a one-sided feud too far, sir? Surely my Lordshave made ample reparation for a slight for which they were responsibleyet perhaps ignorant?"
"Time is a great healer, Mr. Hythe; but the reminiscences of my earlystruggles with fate cannot be easily erased. But let us not discuss thematter 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 youplease muster all hands aft. Stop the motors, so that the engineers canbe present. I wish to say a few words."
As soon as the "Aphrodite" lost way the men came on deck, and formed upjust abaft the after conning-tower.
"Men," began Captain Restronguet in stentorian tones, "our voyage isalmost accomplished, our great task is completed and little remains tobe done as far as your services are concerned. Circumstances compel meto take a drastic step. The 'Aphrodite' must never enter FalmouthHarbour. 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 hispersonal effects and stow them into as small a compass as possible,ready to be transhipped on board the tug. As soon as all hands areclear of the submarine I intend to send her to the bottom."
Dead silence greeted this announcement. The men looked at each other inamazement.
"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 wayinclined. Now, men, you have a couple of hours to make the necessarypreparations, 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 CaptainRestronguet from his purpose, walked for'ard and remained by the foreconning-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 theSultan of Zanzibar, touching his forehead significantly.
"I don't think so," replied Hythe. "It is, I believe, the outcome of avow."
"Precious silly vow," remarked Jenkins. "He always was a queer customerwhen 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'llback you up."
The man's words stirred the sub to serious thought. A struggle betweenhis sense of gratitude to this man who had so improved his knowledge ofsubmarine work, and his duty to his king and country waged a fiercebattle. The "Aphrodite" was Captain Restronguet's by right. He waswilfully abandoning it--an act that was also within his rights. On theother hand the possession of the "Aphrodite" by the British Navy wouldmean an undisputed supremacy in submarine welfare. This wonderfulvessel would be the means of thwarting any projected invasion by ahostile state, whether by air or by sea.
"In matters of this description personal considerations must be putaside 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'scomment when Hythe unfolded his plan.
At half-past eleven the van of the flotilla from Falmouth came abreastof the "Aphrodite"--two large steamers packed with people who cheeredand shouted
while strident brass bands added a deafening welcome.
Circling, these vessels followed on either quarter of the submarine--soclose that Captain Restronguet had to shout to request them to keep amore respectful distance. Abreast of the Lizard the main portion of thewaterborne spectators was encountered, till surrounded by nearly ahundred craft of all sizes and rigs the "Aphrodite" forged slowly aheadtowards a squat high-sided vessel which Captain Restronguet recognizedas 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--ahint that explosives were about to be transhipped and that there was acertain element of danger in the undertaking. With that the obstructingvessels backed away a few yards, forming a complete circle in the almostmotionless 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 thetug.
"No, thank you, Gregory Pinney," replied Captain Restronguet. "Layalongside, will you?"
"An' who may you be?" demanded the skipper, somewhat astonished to findhimself 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 CaptainRestronguet, but only for a few moments more. After that I am plainHugh Tretheway--and I do not feel altogether sorry. But get yourmasthead derrick swung out: we've plenty of gear for you to take."
For nearly an hour the task of unloading the "Aphrodite" continued, forthe personal effects of the officers and men reached considerabledimensions. It seemed really marvellous where the stuff had been storedwithin 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 twovessels. As the first was about to leave the "Aphrodite's" deck he drewhimself up and gravely saluted the green and white flag still flying atthe 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 andgallant leader.
After the men the officers boarded the "Wayfarer," till CaptainRestronguet alone remained on the deck of the "Aphrodite." Thesubmarine was battened down with the exception of the main hatch closeto which the captain stood with his hand resting on a lever actuatingthe 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," heexclaimed. "The 'Aphrodite's' sinking."
The men of the tug hastened to unfasten the securing hawsers. Thefor'ard one was soon cast off, but by the after one three men purposelyimpeded the efforts of the "Wayfarer's" deckhands. The three men wereHythe, O'Shaunessey, and Jenkins.
The tug's engine-room telegraph bell clanged, the water churned underher squat counter, and, as she slowly forged ahead, the strain on theafter-rope swung her stern close to the "Aphrodite's" deck.
Simultaneously Hythe and O'Shaunessey vaulted over the low bulwarks andleapt upon the submarine, Jenkins making a good third. Before CaptainRestronguet and his companions could grasp the situation the three mengained the open hatch. They were not a second too soon, for the waterwas rising over the deck and lapping against the coamings of thehatchway.
With a clang the metal covering fell. The "Aphrodite" was heremeticallysealed, 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 purrrhymically, Hythe pointed her head due east.
* * * * *
Early next morning, before it was light, Sub-Lieutenant Arnold Hythedexterously brought the submarine into Portsmouth Harbour, and,confident that the importance of his errand would justify the unearthlyvisit, boldly called upon the Commander-in-Chief.
Forgetting his dignity in his anxiety to hear what had actually occurredto the "Aphrodite"--for, as usual, vague rumours had been floatinground--Sir Peter Garboard made his appearance clad in a dressing-gown.
"You're back again, Mr. Hythe? Tell me, is it right that CaptainRestronguet has scuttled the 'Aphrodite'?"
"Hardly that, sir; she is at this moment alongside the North Railwayjetty. You see, sir, I stole her."
"You stole her? Explain yourself."
Hythe explained, pointing out the difficulty in which he had been placedin 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. Thesubmarine was a derelict after the captain had abandoned her, and as anaval officer you did right by taking possession of her. But have youhad breakfast?"
The sub was perforce obliged to partake of a repast with his superiorofficer, who kept him busily employed the whole while in answeringquestions. 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 findMr. Hythe here."
"How so?"
"Because there is a telegram sent to him, care of theCommander-in-Chief, sir," replied the secretary.
The sub took the proffered envelope and opened it, with a mutteredapology 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 youdid. 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 commanderof what is now the latest and most powerful acquisition to His Majesty'sNavy--the 'Aphrodite.'"
THE END.
WILLIAM BRENDON AND SON, LTD., PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND
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