"I am too interested to think about eating," replied Hythe. "But now you mention it I feel quite peckish."
"We are obliged to do without fresh meat," said Captain Restronguet apologetically. "Nevertheless I think you will find this dish of pilchards excellent. Here is seakale sauce that by the skill of the 'Aphrodite's' cook can hardly be distinguished from asparagus. Roast dog-fish, if you care to try it, you will find hard to believe anything but beef-steak. By a certain process, simple to apply, all taste of fish is eliminated."
Captain Restronguet helped his guest to a slice of dog-fish--a fish that fishermen not so many years back generally threw back into the sea as useless.
"Excellent," declared the sub. "However is this dish produced in this guise?"
"Also by electricity," said Captain Restronguet calmly. "By applying a certain form of current all the oily portions of the fish are destroyed, leaving only the red corpuscles in the flesh."
Just then came a knock at the door, and in response to the captain's permission to enter one of the crew appeared, holding an envelope in his hand.
"H'm! Message from the wireless room--excuse me," remarked Captain Restronguet, as he began to tear open the flap. "Shouldn't be surprised, Mr. Hythe, if this doesn't concern you. Yes, listen: 'Secretary of Admiralty acknowledges Captain Restronguet's message re safety of Sub-Lieutenant Arnold Hythe and Michael O'Shaunessey, A.B. If genuine a message from the naval officer detained is requested. Reasons are also desired why Captain Restronguet took forcible possession of two of His Majesty's subjects.' Ha! That is a reasonable message."
"Reasonable?"
"Yes. The Admiralty are beginning to realize that I, Captain Restronguet, am a person worthy of their consideration. That is more than they did a few years' back. As a matter of fact I have had a little quarrel with My Lords. Some day I will give you details; but meanwhile I am continuing my harmless yet disconcerting tactics that tend to prove how futile the defences of this country are against the latest product of modern science. Yes, Mr. Hythe, the Secretary of the Admiralty will have definite evidence before many hours have passed."
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