An excited buzz of conversation rose round the table.
“Just a minute,” said a Transport expert. “What shipping have they got?”
(I was now on dangerous ground, and I knew it. I made a rapid calculation.)
“Three-quarter million tons,” came the answer.
“Where bound?” asked the expert coldly.
“Vladivostock.”
“Russia—by Jove!” “Perhaps the Caucasus!” “We may get out this summer after all.” The audience had got quite excited. Their whispered comments reached me as I waited for the next question.
“Composition of the force?”—the expert continued his cross-examination.
“Three complete divisions. Five hundred aeroplanes. Motor fleet.”
“Total number of ships, please?”