“East she is,” said Micky. “East, a quarter point north.”
Ivan swept the sea with a long glance. He nodded and pointed over the freighter’s stumpy jib-boom.
“Japan lays there?” he questioned Micky.
“Yes. Habout four ’undred miles.”
“Have you sighted any ships?”
“None, yet.”
“If you do call me on deck. Answer no signals. Keep the Chinese flag flying.”
“The Union Jack would look better!”
Ivan stroked his beard.
“You take my orders,” he said icily. “Avoid any suggestions. Keep away from smoke, sails and particularly gunboats of foreign powers. I’ll double the thousand rubles which I have agreed to give you three officers. I’ll increase it to two thousand rubles a week.”