"Nothing, sir. The diver who escaped reported that the whole time he was below he saw no trace of the submarine, although he followed the line of netting for several yards. What he did see was his comrade, O’Shaunessey, beset by half a dozen men. He admitted he was terribly scared, but went to his fellow-diver’s assistance. Before he could get close enough he saw that O’Shaunessey’s life-line had been cut and his air-tube disconnected. Realizing that he could do nothing, and that he was in pressing danger, Price signalled to be hauled up." "But how did the submarine contrive to get clear of the wire and rope entanglements? Surely you saw some signs of a commotion?" "Nothing--not even a ripple. The first intimation we had was from the shore. The nets came home quite easily." "H’m," ejaculated the Admiral. "Perhaps I----" The entrance of an assistant secretary caused the Commander-in-Chief to pause abruptly. The newcomer held out a type-written document. "Message through from the Admiralty, sir," he announced. "By Jove! What’s this?" exclaimed the astonished Admiral. "The Secretary to the Admiralty reports that a telephone message was received from a North London call-office, reporting that Mr. Hythe and O’ Shaunessey are prisoners on the submarine. Furthermore, a telegram from Dantzic announces that Captain Restronguet--confound that fellow!--has destroyed the armoured cruiser ’Breslau.’" "When was that, sir?" asked Captain Tarfag. "The message from Dantzic is dated 8 a.m. this morning. Allowing for differences in Greenwich time----" "Then, if the submarine we were after is under the command of Captain Restronguet, it is morally impossible for him to be in the Baltic at precisely the same hour----" "Unless there are two of these blessed submarines." "Or two captains of the name of Restronguet," added Captain Tarfag. "I suppose this fellow means to hold Mr. Hythe to ransom, sir?" asked Mr. Egmont. "There is no mention of that," replied the Admiral. "But, of course, that may be his intention. I wonder where the mysterious submarine will turn up next?" "The Superintendent of Police, sir," announced the head-messenger. "Ah, Richardson, what’s the trouble now?" asked the Commander-in-Chief, as a tall, alert-looking man stepped briskly into the room. "More evidence of Captain Restronguet, sir," replied the Superintendent of Police. "The rascal’s actually in the Hamoaze. Our duty boat, whilst returning from Bull Point, picked up a green and white buoy, just abreast of Wilcove. Attached to the buoy, and protected by a water-proof covering, was this document." The admiral took the paper--a foolscap sheet, with a crest and the words "Submarine ’Aphrodite’" embossed upon it. In silence he read it to the end, then-- "Well, of all the most confounded cheek!" he ejaculated. "Read that, Tarfag, and tell me what you think of it."