"There is not much to tell, sir," the man replied. "You yourself gave me my orders. I was to stand out there, before the door, and prevent any one knocking. To all who asked for you, I was to say that you were on the bridge."
The Captain nodded.
"That is right," he said. "Continue."
"You then went up to the bridge, and I took the station you had assigned me. I did not know who was in the cabin, but I could hear voices."
"Ah! cried Pachmann, with a frown. "You could hear voices! Could you also hear words?"
"I do not know, sir; I did not listen. I know better than to listen when officers are talking."
"Continue," said the Captain again.
"I stood there for perhaps ten minutes. There were a few passengers strolling about farther down the deck, but you had caused a rope to be stretched across to prevent any one coming as far as your cabin."
Again the Captain nodded.
"Yes, I took that precaution, also," he said.