The next instant he had cause to regret his words, for a lump of the precious metal, hurtling through the air with tremendous force, hit him fairly in that part of his anatomy commonly known as "the wind." For the next ten minutes Carclew lost all interest in the proceedings.
Meanwhile O'Shaunessey, unobserved by the madman, succeeded in clambering over the stern of the "Vorwartz." Here he waited till his comrade rejoined him, and together they stealthily crept towards the German.
The fellow was in the act of hurtling another missile when O'Shaunessey sprang on him from behind, flung his powerful arms round the madman's head and pressed his right knee into the small of the man's back. Simultaneously the Irishman's comrade grasped the astonished German just below the knees, and with a tremendous crash the captured man fell upon the metal deck. Even then his captors had no easy task, for the maniac, powerful under ordinary circumstances, now possessed the strength of ten. His right hand gripped O'Shaunessey's calf till the Irishman bellowed with pain. For a few moments it looked as if the madman would be more than a match for his two antagonists till O'Shaunessey's companion, loth to run any unnecessary risk, planted a heavy blow on the point of the madman's chin. The fellow's resistance ceased. He lay on his back groaning dismally, while the Irishman deftly bound him hand and foot with a couple of silk handkerchiefs.
"All clear now, sorr," shouted O'Shaunessey. "Sure, you can come aboard aisy and comfortable. We'll heave a line."
Looking about the Irishman discovered a wire ladder and a couple of long boat-hook staves. Lowering the former he swarmed down and succeeded in passing the end of one of the boat-hooks ashore, keeping the other end on the bottom rung of the ladder. The second one formed a handrail, and along this precarious bridge, which sagged to such an extent that those making use of it were ankle deep in water, Captain Restronguet, Hythe, and four of the "Aphrodite's" crew made their way.
"At last, sir," exclaimed Hythe.
"It is yet too early for congratulations, Mr. Hythe," replied the captain. "We have made an easy capture, but until I am face to face with my enemy, Karl von Harburg, my mission is not at an end. Nevertheless, we have much to be thankful for. Polglaze, bring that boat-hook aft."
The man did as he was ordered. Drawing from his pocket a small neatly-rolled bundle of silk Captain Restronguet unfolded it. It was his white and green ensign with the initials "J. R." upon it. For want of halliards the flag had to be lashed to the stave, which was thereupon set up on the stern of the "Vorwartz"--a visible token that the rival submarine was now in the possession of the captain of the "Aphrodite."
CHAPTER XXXI.
THE UNSUCCESSFUL COMPETITORS.