"How do you propose to set me ashore?" asked Hythe.
"Perfectly openly," replied his host calmly. "I have the Governor's permission to send a representative ashore. You will land at the steps on the inner side of the New Mole at ten this morning. Kenwyn and Gwennap will accompany you as far as the landing in order to help you off with your gear. They will then return, so that no inquisitive individual will have an opportunity of examining or possibly stealing my patent helmet. At six p.m. sharp, Kenwyn and Gwennap will meet you at the same place. By the by, would you like O'Shaunessey to go with you?"
The sub hesitated for a moment before replying. Captain Restronguet had made no conditions regarding his trip ashore. He trusted entirely to the honour of the young officer. There was nothing to prevent Hythe and O'Shaunessey from remaining at Gib. if they felt inclined. The sub knew O'Shaunessey to be a sharp and diligent man, but unfortunately he had a great failing. Had it not been for a few delinquencies in the shape of overstaying his leave the Irishman might have been a petty officer by this time. Consequently, since the man might get into one of the numerous grog-shops and fail to return to time, Hythe decided not to take him.
"Very good, Mr. Hythe," replied Captain Restronguet in even tones, although the sub detected a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. "I quite understand, and I think your judgment is good in this respect. Now let us fall to; breakfast will be getting quite cold, and I do not want my emissary to start on a journey with discomfort."
"Where are we lying now?" asked Hythe, in the course of the meal.
"In the Commercial Anchorage, on a line with the Devil's Tower open of the North Front," replied the captain. "I thought it best to do so, rather than trespass within the limits of the Admiralty Anchorage. You will have more than a mile to walk, but the tides close inshore are weak, and by keeping close to the Old Mole you will find little inconvenience.
"Here are the documents," he continued, as soon as breakfast was over. "This one, to which is attached the chart from 'La Flamme,' is for the French Minister of Marine. It will be safely forwarded. This is for the Governor; the others are of a private nature, and will be sent in by post in the ordinary way."
"I heard say you are going ashore, sir," said O'Shaunessey, who was standing in the diving-gear compartment. "Wud ye take this letther for me? Sure, 'tis for me ould mother."
"I will, O'Shaunessey," replied Hythe. He almost wavered in his resolution not to take the A.B. with him; but since the Irishman did not seem at all anxious to enjoy a spell on land the sub adhered to his former plans.
Guided by a watertight compass held by the chief officer, Hythe, with his dispatches in a weighted metal case, set out on his lengthy submarine walk. Without a hitch the three men gained the base of the northernmost Mole, and walking under the keels of several merchant vessels made fast alongside, they arrived at the landing indicated by Captain Restronguet.