The useless rudder was lowered through the torpedo hatch, all lights below being switched off during the operation, lest a stray beam should reveal the presence of the British craft to an alert hostile ship or battery. Presently one of the artificers appeared and saluted the Lieutenant-Commander. "Is that you, Parsons?" asked the latter, for in the gloom he was unable to distinguish the petty officer's features. "Yes, sir," replied the artificer. "I'd like to make a suggestion, sir, about that damaged rudder." "Carry on, then." "We've a piece of steel plating in the engine-room--a part of the floor over the lubricating-oil tanks. It's just about the size of the rudder--a question of a few inches either way at the very outside. I thought we might perhaps drill it, and use the braces that came off the old rudder." "How long will it take you?" asked the skipper. "A matter of twenty minutes to drill the holes, sir, and say another twenty to ship the thing and connect up the rods." "Good--carry on!" said Huxtable encouragingly. The artificer hurried below, and, assisted by willing hands, proceeded with the self-imposed task. The work had to be done as silently as possible, lest the noise, travelling far on the quiet night air, should betray their presence. "Capital man that!" remarked the Lieutenant-Commander to Dick. "I wouldn't mind betting a month's pay that he'll turn out the complete job before the elapse of the time he mentioned. Otherwise I wouldn't care to let him tackle it, for it will be dawn very soon. Fortunately, it looks a bit misty. I shouldn't be surprised if we have a thick haze when the sun rises, in which case we can afford to keep on the surface a little longer." His prognostics were correct, for with the first blush of dawn a low-lying layer of vapour began to roll across the surface of the sea. The submarine, rendered invisible even at a short distance, was fairly safe from surprise, since the sound-conducting properties of moisture-laden atmosphere would enable her crew to detect the approach of another vessel by the thud of her engines long before she came within observation. "May as well enjoy a smoke, Crosthwaite," remarked Huxtable, producing a cigarette-case. "It's a good chance, since it's too light for the glimmer of a cigarette to be detected, even if there were no mists hanging about. Mr. Devereux, you might pass the word for the hands on deck to smoke." Gladly the thoughtful concession on the part of the skipper was acted upon. The men, producing pipes and cigarettes, fully appreciated the order, since smoking and the use of matches were rigidly forbidden down below, owing to the danger of petrol fumes. Presently the sun rose above the hills on the Asiatic shore, shedding streaks of crimson across the eastern sky. Athwart the rays wisps of ragged clouds and "wind-galls" betokened rough weather at no distant date.