As soon as Hythe emerged from the water, greatly to the interest of a swarm of bluejackets and civilians who had been apprised of the arrival of the mysterious submarine, Kenwyn and Gwennap divested him of his diving suit, and, being unable to speak by reason of their helmets, raised their right hands in token of farewell.
Being ashore seemed quite unfamiliar to the young officer, although he was well acquainted with that landing place. Briskly he ran up the steps, made his way through the admiring and attentive crowd, and shaped a course for the Governor's Palace.
"So you are returning to the submarine?" asked the Governor, when the interview was at an end. "I believe the Admiralty have telegraphed that you can exercise your discretion in the matter."
"Yes," replied Hythe. "I think it necessary to do so, both from an official and a private sense. I can assure you, sir, that anything approaching the craft in mechanism and scientific wonder has never yet been seen."
"My Lords are naturally anxious for details," remarked the Rear Admiral in charge of the Naval Establishments at Gibraltar, who had made it a point of being with the Governor on the occasion of Hythe's visit. "In fact, speaking in a strictly confidential manner, I may as well tell you that they would like to open negotiations with Captain Restronguet for the purchase of the vessel. Could you approach him on this matter?"
"I am afraid it will be of no use, sir," replied the sub. "But, of course, I will do my best. Captain Restronguet is a man of iron resolution, and he has more than once told me that he has sworn to sink the 'Aphrodite' rather than hand her over to the Admiralty."
"That is a pity," said the Governor. "Why is this? He is an Englishman?"
"Yes, a native of Cornwall; but he is labouring under the impression that he has been slighted by the Admiralty. He offered his invention some years ago and was, he informs me, shabbily treated."
"Unfortunately that is not the only case," said the Admiral. "The mistake--for mistake it undoubtedly is--was possibly the work of some petty official at Whitehall. I've known plenty of instances of that description. However, Mr. Hythe, do your best in that direction, and find means to communicate Captain Restronguet's decision as soon as possible. He will not, I hope, sell the submarine to a foreign power?"
"No, sir; I think with all his prejudices Captain Restronguet does not forget he's an Englishman. Otherwise he would not be so open in explaining a host of details connected with his vessel to me."