"You stole her? Explain yourself."
Hythe explained, pointing out the difficulty in which he had been placed in his desire to do his duty.
"Rest easy on that score, Mr. Hythe," said the Admiral good-humouredly. "From a strictly legal point of view your action is justifiable. The submarine was a derelict after the captain had abandoned her, and as a naval officer you did right by taking possession of her. But have you had breakfast?"
The sub was perforce obliged to partake of a repast with his superior officer, who kept him busily employed the whole while in answering questions. Presently the Admiral's secretary entered.
"Ah, good morning, Holmes; anything startling?"
"No, sir. Captain Restronguet has apparently vanished into thin air. All inquiries at Falmouth have proved fruitless. But I expected to find Mr. Hythe here."
"How so?"
"Because there is a telegram sent to him, care of the Commander-in-Chief, sir," replied the secretary.
The sub took the proffered envelope and opened it, with a muttered apology to his superior officer.
"That's all right!" he exclaimed with a sigh of relief. "Read this, sir."