f the pieces of the mule."

At length, as is invariably the case, the gale blew itself out, and,
although the sea still ran high, the absence of broken water made it
possible for the hatchways to be kept open.

The behaviour of the _Capella_ and her consorts was a matter for
congratulation. They had stood the test remarkably well, and had
proved themselves good all-weather craft, provided that they could be
kept head to wind.

A week later the _Capella_ returned to Southampton to replenish her
stores, and after three days in port she received orders to proceed to
the French coast and patrol off Cape Levi, where the presence of a
hostile submarine had been reported.

This intelligence was serious. It meant that, once again, an
unterseeboot had made its way into the English Channel, and was lying
on the track of the British transports and hospital ships running
between Southampton and Rouen.

It took the _Capella_ two hours only to run from The Nab to within
sight of the French coast. Even then her motors were not running at
the maximum number of revolutions. Extreme speed was only resorted to
when actually engaged in submarine hunting.

As the vessel closed with the grey cliffs of Normandy, Ross suddenly
shouted: "Submarine on the port bow!"

Less than two cables' length away could be discerned the twin
periscopes and a portion of the conning-tower. The submarine was not
forging ahead; it was simply stationary, except for a slight movement
caused by the action of the waves. It certainly was not a British
craft. It might be French. The odds were that it was German, since
submarines belonging to the allied nations were not in the habit of
keeping awash, unless in the presence of an enemy.

Quickly the guns, which were already cleared for action, were trained
upon the visible part of the submarine; but as she made no attempt to
move, Captain Syllenger refrained from giving the order to open fire.

Thrice the _Capella_ circled round the mysterious craft, at the same
time gradually closing, since she had nothing to fear from the
discharge of a torpedo.

"I believe she's abandoned, sir," said Barry.

The _Capella_ stopped. Preparations were being made for the lowering
of a boat, when one of the seamen shouted:

"It's a dud, sir; a blessed decoy-bird!"

The man was right. Upon investigation, the submarine was found to be
nothing more than a couple of barrels covered with painted canvas. Two
thick pol