Chapter XV: A Visit to Gibraltar

Breakfast on the following morning was a kind of solemn feast, for although Devoran and Kenwyn were present, hardly a word was spoken. The gloom of the previous day's exploration seemed to penetrate everything, yet the subject was, by mutual consent, studiously avoided.

The meal was nearly over when Lancarrow, the wireless man, knocked and entered the cabin.

"Message just received, sir," he announced unconcernedly.

Captain Restronguet opened the envelope and scanned its contents. Although his eyes lightened with satisfaction he said not a word till the man had retired.

"News of the 'Vorwartz,' gentlemen," he exclaimed. "She is reported to be operating off the entrance to Valetta Harbour, Malta. Holed the torpedo-boat-destroyer 'Tamar,' did considerable damage to the oil-tank vessel 'Petrolia,' so that the ship had to be beached in Bighi Bay. After that she slipped off. An aero-hydroplane followed her for an hour in an easterly direction. The 'Vorwartz' then dived much deeper and was lost sight off."

"What is she doing in the Mediterranean, sir?" asked Devoran. "That doesn't look as if she's returning to Sumatran waters."

"Unless she goes through the Suez Canal," added Kenwyn.

"She won't try that game," said Captain Restronguet. "There's not enough water in the canal. If she does we have been saved an unpleasant task, for the authorities will blow her to atoms."

"Now what is to be done, sir?" asked the chief officer.

Captain Restronguet paused a few moments before replying.

"The shafting is now all right, Mr. Devoran?"

"Yes, sir, I remained till the work was completed. That was at half past one in the morning."

"Excellent!" commented the captain. "There is now only one course left open to us. We must proceed to the eastern part of the Mediterranean and continue our search for this modern pirate. I'll send a message to the Admiralties at London, Paris, and Berlin informing them of my whereabouts and of my intentions. We may have a chance of sending the relics of 'La Flamme' ashore at Gibraltar, Mr. Hythe. Perhaps you would care to hand them over to the proper authorities?"

"With pleasure," replied the sub.

"There is no time to be lost," continued the captain, rising from his chair. "What is the weather like, Mr. Devoran?"

"Hazy, sir."

"Excellent! We may have a run on the surface; the extra ten knots may be of extreme importance."

"Must we go astern through this channel?" asked the sub, as he followed his host to the fore conning-tower. "There is not enough width to turn."

"Oh, no; we rise vertically to the surface," replied Captain Restronguet. "Coming here it was different. I could not depend upon sinking the 'Aphrodite' immediately over the gulley. Besides, I had reasons for bringing the craft in while submerged."

The discharging pumps were soon at work, and with hardly a jerk the heavy mass of water-tight metal casing rose majestically from the sandy bed of Machichaco Bay. When just awash her fore hatch was opened and the rails and stanchions shipped.

Hythe went on deck. The haze was sufficiently dense to prevent objects from being seen at a distance of more than a cable's length ahead. The cliffs and the lighthouse were invisible. Although there was hardly any wind and the "Aphrodite" was lying almost motionless on a perfectly calm sea, the noise of the sullen rollers breaking in-shore showed how dangerous this exposed bay was to any craft that attempted to send a boat ashore.

Beyond that ceaseless roar no sound disturbed the quietude. As far as the crew of the submarine were concerned they might have been floating peacefully in the midst of the wide Atlantic instead of almost within hailing distance of the Iberian shore.

The centre scuttle of the "Aphrodite's" for'ard conning-tower was opened so that the quartermaster could take verbal directions from his superior officer. Captain Restronguet stood just in front of the conning-tower, while two men, detailed for special duty as look-outs, were stationed in the bows, clad in oil-skins to protect them from the spray that was bound to come inboard as soon as the vessel gathered way. Abaft the after conning-tower Mr. Devoran had taken his stand, while right aft were more men whose duty it was to report the presence of any vessel that, of swifter speed than the submarine, might overtake her.

These precautions were additional to the use of the submarine detector that indicated the approach of any craft at a distance; for when travelling at high speed the swish of the waves against her lean bows was apt to be misconstrued by the men stationed at that electrically recording device.

Giving a glance at the standard compass to assure himself that he had made due allowance for the abnormal deviation Captain Restronguet gave the order for half speed ahead. Like a greyhound the "Aphrodite" leapt forward at a reduced speed of eighteen knots.

Within ten minutes the belt of haze had been left astern, and the sun shone brilliantly upon the clear blue water.

Hythe remained on deck some hours till the rounded point of Cape Ortegal hove in sight. Here the sea in calm weather is always agitated by a long heavy swell, while in gales the waves are dangerously steep. As a precautionary measure Captain Restronguet ordered the look-out men to make themselves fast with life-lines and the open hatches to be battened down. Although he suggested to the sub the advisability of going below, the captain, for some reason that he did not think fit to communicate, remained on deck. Scorning to make use of oilskins he stood grasping the handrail surrounding the conning-tower, and gazed fixedly at the horizon on the starboard bow. Whatever he expected to see his hopes in that direction were unfulfilled, and at five o'clock, after the tumultuous water had been left astern, he rejoined his guest in the cabin.

"We are so far fortunate in being able to keep on the surface," he remarked. "We are now off Cape Finisterre and right in the regular mail and ordinary trading routes. But up to the time I left the deck we had not sighted a single sail."

Twice during the day the "Aphrodite" had to dive to avoid being sighted by passing vessels, for although Captain Restronguet made no secret of his whereabouts he did not think fit to allow the submarine to be seen.

Just before midnight the captain called to Hythe as the latter was about to turn in.

"We are going to dive to eight fathoms," he announced. "It is advisable since we are approaching the Straits of Gibraltar. Perhaps you would care to have a look on deck before going to bed?"

On gaining the upper platform Hythe found that the "Aphrodite" was running nearly awash, with no navigation lights. Even the lamps in the conning-towers were screened. It was a pitch-dark night, although the atmosphere was clear. The water was exceptionally smooth for the Atlantic seaboard of the coast of Spain and Portugal.

Away on the starboard hand were several large vessels, each showing their green navigation lights, denoting that they were bound north. One, brilliantly illuminated, was evidently a liner on which the passengers were keeping a late night, for the distant strains of a string band were just audible above the subdued noise of her powerful engines.

"You know this coast, I suppose?" asked Captain Restronguet. "Do you recognize yonder light?"

The sub looked intently in the direction indicated. Through the darkness shone a fixed white light which increased and diminished in intensity, attaining its maximum glare every thirty seconds.

"Yes, Cape Trafalgar," he replied. "And we are within twelve miles of it."

"Otherwise it would appear to be a flashing light," added Captain Restronguet. "I see your knowledge of the various lights is exceptionally good. Had it been daylight we might have found time to let you have a sight of some of Nelson's relics, for we are passing over the scene of that ever-memorable victory. The bottom of the sea here is strewn with the remains of the French and Spanish vessels that were either sunk in action or foundered in the storm that arose after the fight was over."

"I have seen enough of naval disasters for the time being," remarked Hythe.

"You will soon get used to sights of that description," said the captain with a shrug of his shoulders. "Some day, all being well, I hope to visit the remains of the Russian vessels sunk at Tshushima. Not simply for idle curiosity, but with a definite motive. But it blows cold, so I think we may as well descend."

When Hythe awoke next morning the "Aphrodite" was at rest. Throwing back the metal slide over his cabin scuttle he looked out. The submarine was below the surface and in a fairly crowded anchorage, for dimly in the sunlit water he could distinguish more than one mooring chain and a mushroom anchor deeply embedded in the ooze.

"This must be Gib.," he thought, as he prepared to dress.

Although breakfast was laid, Captain Restronguet was busy writing as Hythe entered the cabin.

"Excuse me while I finish," said the former apologetically. "Here is a copy of this week's 'Gibraltar Herald'; it was published only yesterday, so it is fairly recent. Perhaps you might care to look at it?"

Hythe took the journal wonderingly. How could it have come into Captain Restronguet's possession? He sat down and opened the pages. Most of the news consisted of matter interesting only to the members of the colony, such as descriptions of social functions of such minor importance that the edition of the smallest weekly at home would scorn to make use of; but about one half of the back sheet was devoted to general news.

Three quarters of a column were occupied by a more or less accurate account of Karl von Harburg's doings at Malta. Since Captain Restronguet had exposed the fellow's identity the owner of the "Vorwartz" no longer attempted to screen himself by attributing his illegal acts to his rival; on the other hand the _denouement_ seemed to have emboldened him, for hitherto he had confined his active attentions solely to German national property. Now he was fast developing into a pirate, attacking all nations without any consideration. Yet, curiously enough, he never attempted to take booty, and on this account his motives were the subject of the keenest discussion.

Already international squadrons, representing Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Russia, and Greece were co-operating with a view of exterminating the modern buccaneer, while from Cape Tarifa to Centa a powerful flotilla of the latest type of submarines formed a cordon at the maximum depth attainable with safety beneath the surface. These in turn were supported by a number of destroyers and protected cruisers, while overhead aero-hydroplanes flew by day and naval airships soared by night, the latter keeping their searchlights playing vertically downwards in the hope of locating and annihilating the vampire of the seas.

The tension between England and Germany had, according to the paper, been considerably relaxed, and both the Atlantic Fleet and the High Seas Fleet had returned to their respective ports; but at the same time the British Prime Minister had spoken strongly in the House, urging the oft neglected precept that "A nation armed is a nation at peace."

The only other item of news that interested Hythe was a report that there had been seismic disturbances in the Mediterranean, and that Malta had experienced two severe shocks. The sub knew Malta well; besides, he had relations living there, his maternal uncle holding a shore appointment under the Admiralty. Although the effects of the tremor were felt at Bizerta, Tripoli, Syracuse, Messina, Reggio, and even as far north as Rome, Vesuvius and Etna showed no signs of increased activity, while Stromboli had ceased for several days to emit smoke. This phenomenon had been debated upon by men of science, but no satisfactory explanation had been arrived at.

"Have you found anything sufficiently interesting to make you forget my rudeness, Mr. Hythe?" asked Captain Restronguet, as he put his writing materials into his desk and locked it up. "I had to finish this dispatch, as you so kindly consented to take it ashore for me."

"I have been wondering how you obtained the paper, sir?"

"Easily done. We arrived in the bay about four this morning. Carclew immediately left the 'Aphrodite' and walked ashore, landing on the Neutral Ground about four hundred yards beyond the Advance Lines. He divested himself of his diving-dress and hid it, and as soon as the gun went--the signal for the gates of the fortress to be opened, as you know--he mingled with the crowd of locked-out Scorps, Spanish traders and pedlars, and walked unceremoniously into the town. Coming back, however, he had a nasty time, for the sentries had their suspicions, taking him for a smuggler, and it was as much as he could do to slip into the water without being seen."

"How do you propose to set me ashore?" asked Hythe.

"Perfectly openly," replied his host calmly. "I have the Governor's permission to send a representative ashore. You will land at the steps on the inner side of the New Mole at ten this morning. Kenwyn and Gwennap will accompany you as far as the landing in order to help you off with your gear. They will then return, so that no inquisitive individual will have an opportunity of examining or possibly stealing my patent helmet. At six p.m. sharp, Kenwyn and Gwennap will meet you at the same place. By the by, would you like O'Shaunessey to go with you?"

The sub hesitated for a moment before replying. Captain Restronguet had made no conditions regarding his trip ashore. He trusted entirely to the honour of the young officer. There was nothing to prevent Hythe and O'Shaunessey from remaining at Gib. if they felt inclined. The sub knew O'Shaunessey to be a sharp and diligent man, but unfortunately he had a great failing. Had it not been for a few delinquencies in the shape of overstaying his leave the Irishman might have been a petty officer by this time. Consequently, since the man might get into one of the numerous grog-shops and fail to return to time, Hythe decided not to take him.

"Very good, Mr. Hythe," replied Captain Restronguet in even tones, although the sub detected a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. "I quite understand, and I think your judgment is good in this respect. Now let us fall to; breakfast will be getting quite cold, and I do not want my emissary to start on a journey with discomfort."

"Where are we lying now?" asked Hythe, in the course of the meal.

"In the Commercial Anchorage, on a line with the Devil's Tower open of the North Front," replied the captain. "I thought it best to do so, rather than trespass within the limits of the Admiralty Anchorage. You will have more than a mile to walk, but the tides close inshore are weak, and by keeping close to the Old Mole you will find little inconvenience.

"Here are the documents," he continued, as soon as breakfast was over. "This one, to which is attached the chart from 'La Flamme,' is for the French Minister of Marine. It will be safely forwarded. This is for the Governor; the others are of a private nature, and will be sent in by post in the ordinary way."

"I heard say you are going ashore, sir," said O'Shaunessey, who was standing in the diving-gear compartment. "Wud ye take this letther for me? Sure, 'tis for me ould mother."

"I will, O'Shaunessey," replied Hythe. He almost wavered in his resolution not to take the A.B. with him; but since the Irishman did not seem at all anxious to enjoy a spell on land the sub adhered to his former plans.

Guided by a watertight compass held by the chief officer, Hythe, with his dispatches in a weighted metal case, set out on his lengthy submarine walk. Without a hitch the three men gained the base of the northernmost Mole, and walking under the keels of several merchant vessels made fast alongside, they arrived at the landing indicated by Captain Restronguet.

As soon as Hythe emerged from the water, greatly to the interest of a swarm of bluejackets and civilians who had been apprised of the arrival of the mysterious submarine, Kenwyn and Gwennap divested him of his diving suit, and, being unable to speak by reason of their helmets, raised their right hands in token of farewell.

Being ashore seemed quite unfamiliar to the young officer, although he was well acquainted with that landing place. Briskly he ran up the steps, made his way through the admiring and attentive crowd, and shaped a course for the Governor's Palace.

"So you are returning to the submarine?" asked the Governor, when the interview was at an end. "I believe the Admiralty have telegraphed that you can exercise your discretion in the matter."

"Yes," replied Hythe. "I think it necessary to do so, both from an official and a private sense. I can assure you, sir, that anything approaching the craft in mechanism and scientific wonder has never yet been seen."

"My Lords are naturally anxious for details," remarked the Rear Admiral in charge of the Naval Establishments at Gibraltar, who had made it a point of being with the Governor on the occasion of Hythe's visit. "In fact, speaking in a strictly confidential manner, I may as well tell you that they would like to open negotiations with Captain Restronguet for the purchase of the vessel. Could you approach him on this matter?"

"I am afraid it will be of no use, sir," replied the sub. "But, of course, I will do my best. Captain Restronguet is a man of iron resolution, and he has more than once told me that he has sworn to sink the 'Aphrodite' rather than hand her over to the Admiralty."

"That is a pity," said the Governor. "Why is this? He is an Englishman?"

"Yes, a native of Cornwall; but he is labouring under the impression that he has been slighted by the Admiralty. He offered his invention some years ago and was, he informs me, shabbily treated."

"Unfortunately that is not the only case," said the Admiral. "The mistake--for mistake it undoubtedly is--was possibly the work of some petty official at Whitehall. I've known plenty of instances of that description. However, Mr. Hythe, do your best in that direction, and find means to communicate Captain Restronguet's decision as soon as possible. He will not, I hope, sell the submarine to a foreign power?"

"No, sir; I think with all his prejudices Captain Restronguet does not forget he's an Englishman. Otherwise he would not be so open in explaining a host of details connected with his vessel to me."

"Well, we must hope for the best," declared the Governor.

"And if Captain Restronguet succeeds in destroying this rascally German's submarine--the 'Vorwartz,' is it not?--we shall have something to be thankful for."

Hythe made good use of the rest of the time allowed him ashore. Several of his brother officers, whom he had known on previous commissions, soon had him "in tow," but the sub strenuously declined to go aboard any of the ships. There might be some mistake, he might forget how the hours sped, and to miss his appointment at the New Mole was not to be thought of. He found an opportunity, however, of replenishing his scanty stock of clothing, and by means of a small "tip" enlisted the services of a "Scorp" to purchase a supplementary kit for O'Shaunessey. These he had placed in a small tin trunk, the lid of which was securely soldered down, and engaging a porter he told the man to follow him to the landing.

It was now close on the hour fixed for his return, but a sudden obstacle was thrown in his way; he had forgotten the Customs.

An alert Customs Officer, who was no respecter of persons even though they were in naval officer's uniform, peremptorily demanded to see what the trunk contained.

"Clothing only," replied Hythe, with considerable annoyance. "Value Five Pounds; here is my bill."

"Must see what's inside, sir," replied the man. "Please to order your porter to carry this box to the office. You will also step this way, sir."

"Look here, this is all rot!" exclaimed Hythe indignantly. "I'll pay up, even though it's a blind rush; but I've an appointment to keep."

The Customs official was obdurate. The sub glanced at his watch. It had stopped. He had forgotten to wind it. By a neighbouring clock it wanted five minutes to six.

Hythe hesitated no longer. Turning he set off at full speed towards the Governor's palace, the Customs man pelting at his heels and shouting to the bystanders to stop him. The sub was a good sprinter, even though considerably out of practice by being cooped up in the limited quarters of a submarine. Dashing past the astonished sentry at the entrance to the palace, before the soldier had time to salute, Hythe literally thrust his way into the Governor's presence and hastily told him of his irritating and serious encounter with the officious Customs man.

"He is undoubtedly within his rights, Mr. Hythe," replied the Governor. "But, at the same time, he is over zealous. That will clear you," and sitting down he wrote out and signed an order to pass Mr. Arnold Hythe's baggage.

One minute to six. With almost indecent haste the sub once more bade the Governor farewell and resumed his headlong pace.

Just outside the Dockyard Gate he overtook the Customs official, who was puffing and blowing after his exertions on a fruitless chase.

"Very good, sir," exclaimed the man apologetically, "but you see dooty's dooty. I'll clear your trunk in a jiffy."

Bubbling over with impatience Hythe set off at a rapid rate, with the wellnigh exhausted official at his heels. A fresh catastrophe confronted him, for upon arriving at the place where he had left the porter with his trunk neither was to be seen.

"He's a wrong 'un, sir," exclaimed the Customs man. "You had better inform the police."

"Haven't time," exclaimed Hythe savagely, and without another word he ran towards the steps at the New Mole. When he arrived it was ten minutes past six, and no signs of Kenwyn and Gwennap were to be seen.

"That's done it!" ejaculated the sub. "And Captain Restronguet said six o'clock sharp."