I rose. "I'll see these men," I said abruptly.
He led me to the bunks, and I examined the wounded men. One was beyond hope; the other was but slightly injured; and I told Holgate the truth. He nodded.
"I don't much want Coyne," he said musingly. "I've no use for him. He's a bungler."
The cold-blooded way in which he delivered this heartless criticism raised in me a feeling of nausea. I was moving away when he stopped me.
"Stay; you're not going back empty-handed, doctor, after all your kindness. Any one you'd like to see?"
I thought. "Yes," said I. "Naylor or Williams."
Holgate moved out, and lifted the hatch. "Naylor!" he called. "Granger, let Naylor up." He turned to me. "We don't starve 'em. It's pretty comfortable 'tween decks when you're used to it."
I made no reply, and presently a voice hailed us from below.
"Is that Naylor?" asked Holgate.
"Yes."