He turned and marched rapidly away.
“I happen to know he’s not your man,” said Lord Hastings with a slight smile, “for I was standing right beside him when I got your command to stop.”
“We had better let Johnson line them all up outside the door, and question each man separately, sir,” said Frank.
“A good suggestion,” said Lord Hastings.
They sat quiet for perhaps five minutes, and then Johnson’s voice came from outside.
“I’ve got ’em all here, sir.”
Frank arose and walked out the door. There stood the full crew of the ship with arms in the air, under the muzzles of Johnson’s two automatics.
“Send them in one at a time, Johnson,” Frank ordered.
“Aye, aye, sir,” replied the old man, and waving his revolver at one he commanded: “You first.”
The first sailor was white of face and evidently badly frightened. He entered the room slowly and came to attention before Lord Hastings.