The removal of the metal head-dress revealed the features of a man of about thirty years of age, clean-shaven and with closely-cropped dark-brown hair that had a tendency to curl. Without speaking a word the unknown drew a knife from his belt and began to hack rapidly at some contrivance at the back of his helmet. As soon as he had severed the part he was attacking he stood up and hurled it far into the sea. This done he calmly began to strip off the stiff fabric that composed his diving suit. By this time the coastguard on duty at the look-out hut had noticed the crowd congregate, and through his glass saw that something unusual was happening and that a diver had come ashore. Since there were no Government diving boats anywhere in sight he naturally thought that it was a case for investigation, and the detachment of coastguards was promptly turned out. "Here, sir, what’s the meaning of this?" demanded the chief officer, forcing his way through the crowd. "Who are you, and how did you manage to get ashore here?" "That I can easily explain," replied the unknown. "I am an inventor, and this diving-dress represents the result of seven years’ work. I walked into the sea at Gosport a couple of hours ago, but, getting caught in the strong current running out of Portsmouth Harbour, I was swept a great distance until I managed to regain my feet. By walking in a direction due north as shown by my watertight compass I came ashore here. Needless to say I do not look for publicity, and all I wish is to pack up my discarded gear and go." The chief officer looked at the stranger with mingled astonishment, admiration, and doubt. Never before had he known of a diver covering a distance of more than two miles, and that without the assistance of a boat containing the necessary apparatus for supplying the submerged man with air. "Hanged if I know what to make of it, Smithers!" he said in an aside to his leading petty officer. "Perhaps he’s a spy, or one of that blooming Captain Restronguet’s crowd. This beats all creation!" "Can’t we detain him on suspicion?" asked Smithers. "I’ll swear he’s up to no good." "I’ve half a mind to," replied the chief officer dubiously. "But, you see, they’ll come down on me like a hundred of bricks if I exceed my duty." "Invite him to the station, friendly-like," suggested the petty officer, "then, while he’s there, you can telephone for instructions." "I’ll try it, by smoke!" ejaculated the chief officer, and approaching the unknown he asked if he would like to dry his clothes at the coast-guard station, since his ordinary garments, owing to the exertion in a confined space, were dripping with moisture.