"I'll admit the difficulties. It looks like impossibility, but so's the alternative. I'm in despair."
"There's only one thing will solve the problem," I said. He looked up. "Action."
"You mean——"
"Holgate won't wait till his coal's out. He's free for an attack now."
"In God's name, let him!" said Barraclough viciously.
CHAPTER XV
The Fight in the Music-Room
The Sea Queen was making way on her northerly course athwart the long rollers of the Pacific. The wind blew briskly from the west, and the sea ran high, so that the yacht lay over with a strong list as she battled through the rough water. My watch began at twelve o'clock that night, and I took the precaution to lie down for a rest about eight. I fell asleep to the sound of the sea against my porthole window, but awoke in good time. It was full dark, and, save for the screw and the eternal long wash without, there was silence. Somehow the very persistence of these sounds seemed profounder silence. I groped my way into the passage, with the screw kicking under my feet, and passed Barraclough's cabin. Still there was no sound or sign of life, but I perceived the glimmer of a light beyond, and seeing that it issued from Pye's cabin I turned the handle of the door. It was locked.
"Who is that?" demanded a tremulous voice.