“Very well,” said Blood.
“And now I’d just like to have a look round. Follow me, please.”
This was a new departure. A command. Blood followed, sick at heart, but cigar still in mouth.
The lieutenant evidently knew all about cable ships.
He stopped at the after-cable tank.
“Cable tank—how much have you on board?”
“Not an inch,” replied Blood.
“H’m! But you want some spare cable for mending purposes.”
“We used it all.”