Still unperceived by the oncoming vessel the "Aphrodite" stood out in order to intercept her. At a request from Captain Restronguet two of the seamen shipped a light mast abaft the fore-conning-tower, and on this was hoisted the International Code signal--flags indicating "I wish to communicate--heave to." As soon as the signal was observed the tramp’s helm was ported as if she meditated flight, but ordering full speed ahead Captain Restronguet soon made it evident that the "Aphrodite" could go two knots to the steamer’s one. The tramp’s engines were set at half-speed astern and simultaneously the affirmative pendant fluttered from her stumpy foremast, while the Greek mercantile flag was hoisted on her ensign-staff. [Illustration: "CAPTAIN RESTRONGUET SOON MADE IT EVIDENT THAT THE APHRODITE. COULD GO TWO KNOTS TO THE STEAMER’S ONE."] "The ’Eleusis’ of the Piraeus," announced Captain Restronguet, who was able to decipher with ease the modern Greek characters on her stern. Gracefully the "Aphrodite" was brought to a stand-still within fifty yards of the Greek tramp, over whose red-leaded bulwarks appeared the heads of about twenty nondescripts who formed her crew. "’Eleusis’ ahoy!" hailed Captain Restronguet in stentorian tones. "What ship’s dat?" asked the Grecian master, who spoke English by reason of several years’ service in the British Mercantile Marine. "Submarine ’Aphrodite,’" replied her captain. Evidently the fame of Captain Restronguet had already reached the ears of the master of the "Eleusis," for he gave a dramatic gesture of surprise. "What want, eh? Me peaceful." "So are we," rejoined Captain Restronguet. "We have just picked up a man and a boy from an Italian fishing-boat. Where are you bound?" "Messina, Napoli an’ Civita Vecchia, sar." "Will you take these two men as far as Messina?" The Greek hesitated. His natural cupidity, now that the submarine had shown no hostile intentions, returned. "Can dey pay passage-monnaire?" "Passage-money, you white-livered swab!" roared Captain Restronguet. "Is that the way you would treat poor shipwrecked mariners? Send a boat instantly, and take these people to Messina. If I fail to hear of their safe arrival from the Consul of that port I will take good care to obtain satisfaction from you on your homeward voyage. Do you understand?" "Yas, captain," replied the fellow, thoroughly cowed. "Me send boat." "If that Greek scoundrel had not been so jolly mean I would have paid him well for his assistance," remarked Captain Restronguet to the sub. "As it is, not a penny will he get from me. Excuse me a few minutes, Mr. Hythe?" So saying the captain went below; but hardly had his head and shoulders disappeared down the hatchway when he reappeared.