Hythe resolved to wait and see if anything fresh transpired. The crowd increased, several naval officers and dockyard officials mingling in the throng. Presently the Admiral came down and asked if he should order anything to be done to attract the "Aphrodite’s" attention. "They may come back even yet, sir," replied the sub. "I’ll wait a little longer." "If you hear nothing by seven you may as well have dinner at Admiralty House, Mr. Hythe," observed the Admiral. Just at that moment two men in uniform arrived carrying Hythe’s trunk. The thief had been caught and was under lock and key. "That’s something to be thankful for," soliloquized the sub. "To lose one’s belongings and one’s ship at one time is a bit too thick." A sudden shout of exclamations from the crowd caused him to turn and look towards the slide of the Mole. Like a huge porpoise the twin conning-towers and flat deck of the "Aphrodite" appeared upon the surface, the water pouring in cascades from her smooth substance. As easily as a ship’s pinnace she ran alongside the steps, her after-hatch was thrown open and Captain Restronguet appeared. "Come on, Mr. Hythe!" he exclaimed. The sub waited for no second bidding. With a bound he gained the Upper Platform, and turned and saluted the astonished Admiral. Having seen his belongings passed on board he followed his host below. Fifty seconds later the dense crowd of spectators were gazing dumfounded at the unbroken wavelets. For the first time had human eyes, other than those of her crew, seen the redoubtable "Aphrodite" at close quarters above the surface of her natural element. * * * * * "Yes, I was certainly surprised when Kenwyn returned with the news that you were not at the rendezvous, Mr. Hythe," said Captain Restronguet. "Then the thought suddenly struck me." "What thought, sir?" "Might I ask what time you went by?" "The local time; my watch had stopped. By Jove! I see what happened. Gib. time is 21 minutes 28 seconds slower than Greenwich." "Just so. I guessed the mistake arose that way; so, as a considerable amount of precious time would be wasted in sending Kenwyn and Gwennap ashore again, I took the unusual course of bringing the ’Aphrodite’ right alongside the New Mole. It will give the Scorpions something to talk about." "And the naval authorities as well, sir. The Admiral was there." "Now we are off as hard as we can pelt for the Eastern Mediterranean. I mean to keep at good depth till clear of the patrols of the Straits. The ’Vorwartz’ is reported in the Black Sea, so I suppose the Russians will get excited. Anyway, I hope to be able to arrive in the Ægean Sea and intercept Herr Karl von Harburg as he returns through the Dardanelles." Night had fallen ere the "Aphrodite" rounded Europa Point, and with the favouring east-going current was well beyond the cruising ground of the British submarines.