"Captain Sedgwyke," he replied, "you have asked a hard thing. Had any other captain made me a similar request I would have declined. But I owe you a debt of gratitude for having picked us up out of the sea. I will do as you request. I will give you an hour’s uninterrupted action from the time the ’Vorwartz’ is within four miles of us. One thing I would suggest, the ’Vorwartz’ is the attacking vessel; you will not have to pursue her, so, since speed is not a vital consideration, keep your torpedo nets out." "I, too, am indebted to you," said Captain Sedgwyke. "In an hour I hope to be able to help to uphold the glorious traditions of the Flag under which I serve." "You have my best wishes," added Captain Restronguet as he turned to go over the side into the waiting boat. "At the end of the hour it will be my show; but should you require any assistance before then either communicate by means of wireless--I will order the coil to be adjusted as soon as I get on board--or else give four blasts in quick succession should anything happen to put the wireless out of gear." "Are you taking Mr. Hythe?" "Certainly; he is officially lent to the ’Aphrodite’; and Mr. Jenkins will accompany us, since I am morally responsible to His Highness, the Sultan of Zanzibar, for his safety." The two captains shook hands, and Captain Restronguet and the sub entered the waiting boat, which had to pass over the upper edge of the torpedo nets that had to be lowered beneath the surface for the purpose. Barely was the cruiser’s boat clear of the "Topaze" when the order came "Out nets." "Captain Sedgwyke is acting upon my suggestion," observed Hythe’s companion. "It is the best plan, but honestly I favour the chances of the ’Vorwartz.’" "You have a bias towards the advantage of submarines," said Hythe. "At the same time you must remember Karl von Harburg has, for the first time, to try conclusions with a British ship whose guns are sighted by trained seamen-gunners." "We shall see," observed Captain Restronguet oracularly, and both men relapsed into silence until the boat ranged alongside the "Aphrodite." "’Vorwartz’ is now only eleven miles off, sir," announced Devoran. "We’ve cleared for action, I presume you will go straight for her, sir?" "No," replied Captain Restronguet. "We are going to run away." "Run away, sir?" "Yes; in a moment of weakness I promised the captain of yonder cruiser to give him a free hand for one hour from the time the ’Vorwartz’ gets within four miles of her. He wishes to distinguish himself. Accordingly we will run northward and put a good two miles between us. That, I think will be a safe distance, for on no account must we let the ’Vorwartz’ spot us, or she will be off like a startled hare."