He turned and saw Saidee Isaacs standing in the doorway of her cabin. She was watching the two Germans who were sheltered by the long-boat. Fay moved along the canted deck and grasped her arm.
“Get ready for trouble,� he whispered buoyantly. “Have you anything in the cabin you want? You won’t have a chance to get it later.�
“What have you done?�
He loosened his grip and smiled at the thought of the open sea-cocks. “I’ve done enough,� he said. “I didn’t think it could be done. This is a sleepy ship.�
“Have you set fire to it?�
Fay leaned against the cabin sheathing and marked the nearness of the sea.
“Not quite as bad as that,� he said, pressing his hand against the sheathing. “I’ve scuttled her, though, or think I have. I opened almost everything with a wheel on it, below. As soon as the alarm is given, I want you to hurry to the after boat and pull the plug. One boat ought to be enough for the crew and passengers. There will be a sort of a panic. They’ll all get away, though, except the man we want. He’s nailed tight in his cabin.�
Fay stepped to the rail and leaned over. The reaching waves which curled to the scupper holes seemed like white fangs. The alarm had not yet been given!
“Tell me what you have done,� she asked again.
“Opened the sea-cocks, Saidee.�