“We got down in very good time,” Aylwin said. “The ship couldn’t come in, of course; but I’ve a handy motor-boat with a gun rigged in her, and we sneaked in and lay just under the south headland. It was quite simple; we were into the inlet before the first flare died down, and there was the submarine, with nothing doing. It was as easy as shelling peas.”
“Then it was your gun . . . ?” O’Neill said.
“Yes. We’re on guard, of course; but she won’t come up again. When it’s light we’ll deal with the gentlemen in the cave.” The sailor’s curt voice became even more abrupt. “Never saw a show better planned—the whole thing went like clockwork. I always knew you had the makings of a general in you, Jack!”
O’Neill gave a quick, happy sigh.
“The boys and Norah did it all,” he said. “But it was splendid fun, to be able to take a hand. I said it would be a jewel of a fight!”
A slow wave of weakness stole over him, and he closed his eyes.
“Is the tide coming in?” he said, presently. “I thought I felt it—creeping.”
Jim took off his coat and put it on his feet.
“We’ll get you up to the motor presently,” he said, his young voice unsteady. O’Neill laughed.
“Not before the finish,” he said. “It won’t be long.”