"Heave a rope!" hailed the German in his native tongue. "Heave a rope! I want to get on board and fetch more gold. Yes, more gold, I say. I'll carry another load of it myself. Fritz took two shares; why shouldn't I?"
Receiving no reply the maniac whipped out his revolver and emptied the contents of the chambers against the metal plating. The noise of the firing was heard by Captain Restronguet and the main body. They could not see the German's approach by reason of the intervening fringe of long grass; but suspecting that Hythe had been attacked they raced down the hill to his aid.
Springing to his feet Hythe signed to them to continue cautiously, but the madman, although he must have heard the noise of the new arrivals, paid no attention. He was still cursing imaginary comrades for their laxity in not giving him a means of getting on board.
"What has happened?" asked Captain Restronguet breathlessly.
"One survivor only, I think," replied Hythe. "There he is. He's absolutely off his head."
"Are you sure there are no more on board?" asked the captain.
"Not certain, but I don't think there are. Do you wish me to make that fellow a prisoner or wait till he's on board? He hasn't reloaded his revolver and he's thrown his carbine away."
"We'll wait," said Captain Restronguet decidedly. "Perhaps there are others on board and they've quarrelled. That may be the reason why they are lying low and won't let this fellow on board. Now look at him!"
The maniac put one foot in the water with the intention of wading close to the submarine's side, but at the contact with the fluid he leapt back, held his foot with both hands and hopped about uttering discordant shouts as if the water pained him. Then, calming down a little, he seated himself on the shore and began to sob like a child.
"Now's our chance," whispered Captain Restronguet. "We must risk a few rifle shots from on board. You three men--that will be enough. Now follow me and get him on his back before he's aware of it."