"American or British. Going into the Arctic on some mission. I don't believe she saw us."
"How was that?" Marr was plainly nervous.
"We were well under the headland with no lights or canvas showing. We were in such a position that she could be seen without her seeing us. At least, that is my opinion, Mr. Marr."
The little captain toyed with the buttons of his pea-jacket. "That sounds reasonable," he said. "Why is she up here?"
"I don't know."
"Did you ever see cruisers up here before?"
"Only once. That was the old Bainbridge."
"What brought her to these waters?"
"Seal poachers!"
Stirling weighed his words and shot them directly at Marr, then watched their effect like a gunner watches a shot go home. Marr dropped his hand from his buttons and paled slightly.