The Admiral's smile broadened. “The most indigestible food that is made in America,” said he. After a moment's perplexity, she smiled and clapped her hands.
Once more Mrs. Carstairs' gaze was drawn irresistibly to the young captain half way up the table. His eyes were fixed on her again, and again, as before, after an instant they were averted. Something in his steady look seared her like a hot iron. He seemed to be searching the innermost recesses of her brain,—and she quailed. His face grew suddenly pale and drawn,—paler even than her own.
The Admiral, having come sharply into prominence, continued to play his high cards. He leaned back in his chair, neglecting a dessert of which he was especially fond, and with considerable bumptiousness rambled on sonorously.
“We've been expecting word all day from Admiral Sims. The convoy is a swift one. Both the Campion and the Elston should reach port today,—or at the very latest tomorrow. I confess we've all been anxious. They are wiring me from Washington as soon as—By the way, Mrs. Carstairs, I took the liberty of instructing my aide to telephone me here in case the report comes tonight. Hope you don't mind. I thought—”
“Of course I don't mind, Admiral,” she said warmly. “On the contrary, I am glad you thought of it. We are all terribly interested.” Late in the evening,—in fact, just as the guests were preparing to depart,—the Admiral was called to the telephone. When he rejoined the group a few minutes afterward, his expression was serious.
“Our precautions were well taken, ladies and gentlemen,” he said. “The Elston was torpedoed this morning. Practically everybody on board was lost.”
There was a moment's silence. Then Captain Steele spoke.
“So the Germans did know that the Commission sailed out of New York harbour on the Elston. It would seem, Admiral, that the spy sits pretty close to the head of your board,—I mean, of course, your board of strategy.”
“By Gad!” growled the distressed sailor-man. “It—it is absolutely incredible. There couldn't have been a leak down there.”
“Have you an idea how many people actually knew that the party was sailing on the Elston?” inquired the young man. His face was very white.