"Accumulators charged," announced Captain Restronguet laconically.
"It is a revelation to me," said Hythe. "And when one comes to consider that at every hour of the day hundreds, nay thousands, of ships are straining idly at their moorings, it is certainly remarkable that no satisfactory attempt has hitherto been made to harness the tides."
"That's only one of the many lessons you will learn," remarked the Captain. "But we are getting under way once more. Perhaps you would like to see the mechanism on Number Three Platform?"
"Most certainly I should," replied the sub.
In the alley-way they encountered a short, broad-shouldered man who had to set his back against the metal wall in order to allow his captain to pass.
"All correct, sir," he said saluting.
"Right, Mr. Devoran. Who's in the conning-tower?"
"Mylor, sir."
"Good. I will take the 'Aphrodite' up the river. You need not turn out till midnight. I shall want you then."
"That is my chief mate, Mr. Devoran," remarked Captain Restronguet, after the man had gone to his cabin. "A truer-hearted comrade one could not possibly desire. He is the only man on board beside myself who thoroughly understands the whole of the complicated mechanism of my masterpiece. There are others who are capable of manoeuvring the 'Aphrodite,' but they do not understand how to handle her for offensive purposes."