"I discovered this channel quite by accident," said the captain, during the progress of the meal. "We put in here on our way north, since the nautical directories state that here the currents run with great velocity. This step was necessary since our accumulators were rather run down and I particularly wished to have a good reserve of power for our run across the bay and up the English Channel. Of course, in a ’blind alley’ such as we are in now, there are no eddies or currents to trouble us. I was looking for a good sheltered berth, for as far as we could see through the observation plate in the bottom of the vessel there was nothing but jagged rocks. We were moving very slowly, at twenty feet below the surface, when Mylor shouted that we were passing over a submarine. I at once thought that we were about to be attacked by the ’Vorwartz,’ but Mylor promptly supplemented his first assertion by saying that the craft was a wreck." "You say it is ’La Flamme,’ sir"? asked Hythe. "How, then, is the fact to be accounted for that she was run down off Cape Finisterre?" "She never was," replied Captain Restronguet calmly. "That was a statement based upon suggestions made by the liner’s crew. No doubt they cut something down. The state of her bows proved that; but it was more likely that of a derelict or else perhaps an unfortunate fishing-vessel. Well, we found the channel, and by carefully feeling our way out, came to the current that served our purpose admirably." "It is a tricky piece of navigation," remarked the sub. "Not so much as one would think. You observed the two forward search-lights? Their beams are not exactly parallel, but slightly diverging. So long as the water illuminated by them is unobstructed I know that the ’Aphrodite’ is safe. Directly any dangerous object comes within the field of light I know that it lies in the vessel’s course, and have to alter helm accordingly." "Did you examine the wrecked submarine?" asked Hythe. "Yes; a brief external examination, but enough to satisfy me that it was ’La Flamme,’ and also the manner in which she met her fate. To-morrow, while the repairs are being undertaken, I propose to make a fairly lengthy examination, both external and internal. Perhaps you would like to accompany me." "I should, sir, with pleasure," replied Hythe. "I warn you that the sight will not be a pleasant one. In fact, were it not for a definite purpose, I would hesitate to undertake the interior examination." "I have seen a few gruesome things during the comparatively short time I have been in the Service, sir." "Very well, then. I mean to write out a report and forward it to the French Government. Perhaps you will be so kind as to endorse it with your signature and rank? I have already mentioned that I regard myself as a humanitarian. I hope the report and the suggestions I make will go a long way towards abolishing submarine warfare."