"He was found this morning, unconscious, in one of the boats on the upper deck."
Pachmann looked at the speaker in some surprise.
"Well," he asked, "what of it? Some sailor's row."
"I thought so too, at first. But he became conscious, just now, and declares that he was struck down from behind."
Pachmann shrugged his shoulders.
"He is probably lying. In any event, it is of no concern to me. He was on duty at the door when the conference closed."
The Captain stared at him as though not understanding.
"What is it you say?" he asked.
"I say," repeated Pachmann, impatiently, "that he was on duty when we left your cabin. What happened to him after that is of no importance."
"At what hour did you leave?" asked the Captain, still staring.