“Yes, sir. Mr. McDougall told me to ask you to step below, sir.”
“What’s the trouble?” for the man seemed a little uneasy.
“I don’t know exactly, sir, but I think it’s a leak.”
“A leak?”
“Yes, sir. Mr. McDougall thinks some of the forward plates have started.”
“It must have been the storm,” commented Captain Wiggs, as he hastened below. “Yet it’s a good while taking effect. I hope it isn’t serious.”