It was a piece of sheer good luck that had caused the Windrush to intercept the self-styled Memnon. Had the latter been half an hour or even twenty minutes later in rounding Pendeen Head, the destroyer would have turned and been on her way back to Hartland.
Two hours later, the Commander-in-Chief at Devonport was awakened by his secretary.
"They've got her, sir!" exclaimed the latter, brandishing a signal-pad.
"Got who?" demanded the still drowsy admiral.
"The pirate, sir; a message has just come through from the Windrush."
The Commander-in-Chief took the pad and read:
"O.C. Windrush to C.-in-C., Devonport. Radio No. 445. Have honour to report that at midnight Windrush spoke vessel 2 miles W. 6 N. Godrevy Light. Vessel reported herself Memnon of Bristol. Ordered her to close and sent boat to make examination. Before boat could board Memnon sank, apparently result of internal explosion. No survivors. Have marked wreck. In view of bad weather, request permission to return Devonport.—
R. RAXWORTHY, Lieut.-Commdr."
"That looks like business, sir," remarked the secretary. "I suppose she is the same craft that held up the Cap Hoorn and got a mauling from the Surcouf?"
"She hasn't lost much time in going round the Land," rejoined the Commander-in-Chief. "I wonder what in the name of blazes she was doing over this side? All right, Symington. Transmit the signal to the Admiralty, please; and reply to Windrush. She's to put into Milford Haven until the weather moderates. We'll send a dockyard tug and a couple of lighters with a diving party round as soon as practicable. That's all; good-night."
The Admiralty report was made public at 4.0 p.m. of the same day, but two hours earlier the London evening papers brought out special editions with double-headed headlines announcing the destruction of the pirate vessel that had commenced to play havoc on the French side of the Channel. Every newspaper brought out a different account. For the most part, what they lacked in actual detail they made up for by drawing upon their imagination.