"No doubt you wondered why that fellow Jenkins addressed me as Hugh Tretheway," he began. "Well, it certainly was strange running across him in far-off Zanzibar. You may remember I told you that for some months, when down on my luck, I worked as an electrical fitter in Devonport Dockyard? That man Jenkins was in the same shop. He isn’t a bad fellow by any means, though somewhat of a rough diamond. Hugh Tretheway is my baptismal name, but for certain reasons I preferred to drop it and assume the name of John Restronguet. I hope that for the present at all events you will keep that information a secret. I have already had a quiet talk with Jenkins on the matter, and from what I already know of him, he will be as silent as the dead." "Of course I will carry out your wishes, sir," said the sub. "Thank you. But to change the subject: what do you think of the chances of the ’Topaze’ against the ’Vorwartz’?" "She has her work cut out," replied the sub. "But I feel certain that every man on board will do his best." "They cannot do more," added Captain Restronguet earnestly. "At the same time they are running needless risks when, once I locate the ’Vorwartz,’ I could destroy her without a quarter of the danger. Suppose, now, that the Delagoa Bay report was false and Karl von Harburg is knocking about in these waters: what is there to prevent her from torpedoing the ship and sending her to the bottom?" "That is a risk that every ship must run in naval warfare," replied Hythe. "Ever since the invention of torpedoes that risk has increased, and now that submarines form a formidable arm of the Naval Service there is still the greater possibilities of a ship being sent to the bottom without a shot in self-defence." Before Captain Restronguet could say another word a hoarse order came from the fore bridge, followed by a shrill bugle-call for "General Quarters" and the long-drawn notes of the bo’s’un’s-mates’ whistles. "What’s that?" demanded Captain Restronguet. "’Clear for action’--a test order perhaps," replied Hythe. "See how those fellows get to work." Up the companion-ladders officers hurriedly appeared, still fumbling with the buckles of their sword-belts. From for’ard tumbled a swarm of hefty bluejackets, who, invading the sacred precincts of the quarter-deck, began to unship stanchions, davits, ventilating-cowls, and other impedimenta; steel covers were lowered over skylights and companion-hatchways. The securing bolts of the after nine-point-two gun turrets were cast loose, and the long muzzle swung round, causing Captain Restronguet to hurriedly duck his head. In five minutes the quarter-deck of the "Topaze" was deserted, as were the other exposed parts of the ship, every man being at his station behind the armoured portions of the vessel. Another bugle-call. "As you were," exclaimed Hythe. "Suppose we go up on the after-bridge. They are exercising. Perhaps the next evolution will be ’Out collision mats.’"