“I don’t waste my employer’s money,” he began; but Clay cut him short.
“Let that go! She won’t run, you say. What are you going to do about it?”
Aynsley was surprised. Clay had a quick temper, but he generally knew how to keep it in check, and now his voice was hoarse with rage.
“I’d like to stop her right away and see what’s wrong, but it’s a long job to strip a surface-condenser and these castings are heavy to move about.”
“She’d fall off into the trough of the sea when her propeller stopped, and the rolling would make his work very difficult,” Aynsley explained.
“Well,” Clay said shortly, “what do you suggest?”
“I’d like a day or two to overhaul her in, up some inlet where we’d get smooth water,” the engineer replied.
“Do you know of a suitable place?” Clay asked Aynsley.
“Yes; but it’s a little off our course, and would take a day to reach.”
Clay turned with a frown to the engineer.