"Excellent," declared the sub. "However is this dish produced in this guise?"
"Also by electricity," said Captain Restronguet calmly. "By applying a certain form of current all the oily portions of the fish are destroyed, leaving only the red corpuscles in the flesh."
Just then came a knock at the door, and in response to the captain’s permission to enter one of the crew appeared, holding an envelope in his hand.
"H’m! Message from the wireless room--excuse me," remarked Captain Restronguet, as he began to tear open the flap. "Shouldn’t be surprised, Mr. Hythe, if this doesn’t concern you. Yes, listen: ’Secretary of Admiralty acknowledges Captain Restronguet’s message re safety of Sub-Lieutenant Arnold Hythe and Michael O’Shaunessey, A.B. If genuine a message from the naval officer detained is requested. Reasons are also desired why Captain Restronguet took forcible possession of two of His Majesty’s subjects.’ Ha! That is a reasonable message."
"Yes. The Admiralty are beginning to realize that I, Captain Restronguet, am a person worthy of their consideration. That is more than they did a few years’ back. As a matter of fact I have had a little quarrel with My Lords. Some day I will give you details; but meanwhile I am continuing my harmless yet disconcerting tactics that tend to prove how futile the defences of this country are against the latest product of modern science. Yes, Mr. Hythe, the Secretary of the Admiralty will have definite evidence before many hours have passed."
To go back to H.M.S. "Investigator": as soon as Hythe’s appeal for help was received the attendants on the diving-party began to haul in the sub’s life-line, but before five fathoms had been brought inboard a sudden relaxation of the strain told them that the rope had been severed.
"Be sharp, men! Blow him to the surface," ordered Egmont. "There’s something up down there."
"Mr. Hythe’s just signalled for more air, sir," announced the seaman who had charge of the telephone.
Rapidly the handles of the air-pump revolved. An increase in the number and size of the bubbles rising to the surface was the only result.
"See if the others are all right," ordered the lieutenant. "What’s that? O’Shaunessey reports all correct; tell him to find out what’s wrong with Mr. Hythe. Can’t you get any reply from Mr. Hythe, Mr. Smithers?"