To go back to H.M.S. "Investigator": as soon as Hythe's appeal for help was received the attendants on the diving-party began to haul in the sub's life-line, but before five fathoms had been brought inboard a sudden relaxation of the strain told them that the rope had been severed.
"Be sharp, men! Blow him to the surface," ordered Egmont. "There's something up down there."
"Mr. Hythe's just signalled for more air, sir," announced the seaman who had charge of the telephone.
Rapidly the handles of the air-pump revolved. An increase in the number and size of the bubbles rising to the surface was the only result.
"See if the others are all right," ordered the lieutenant. "What's that? O'Shaunessey reports all correct; tell him to find out what's wrong with Mr. Hythe. Can't you get any reply from Mr. Hythe, Mr. Smithers?"
"No reply, sir," said the man laconically.
A paying out of the Irishman's life-line told them on deck that O'Shaunessey was on his way to look for his officer. Five minutes elapsed, then a confused jumble of ejaculations through the telephone betokened the unmistakable fact that the Hibernian diver was shouting at the top of his voice.
"Stow it, mate; what's the bloomin' use of shoutin' like that?" spoke the man on O'Shaunessey's telephone reprovingly. Then, after a short interval, he took the instrument from his ear and turned to Lieutenant Egmont.
"Wire's cut off, sir," he announced.
"And his life-line and air-tube cut, too, sir," added another seaman.