'Like him?' His eyes were watching me as he put his question.
'Yes,' I answered. 'Why?'
'I like to know whose side people are on,' he replied softly, and looked again at Jorgensen.
'Why have you come here?' Jorgensen barked the question out as though he were speaking to a subordinate.
Dahler said nothing. He didn't move. He remained staring at Jorgensen so that the very silence made the atmosphere electric. It was as though the two men had things between them that could be communicated without speech. It was Jorgensen who broke the silence. 'I would like to speak to you privately, Mr Gansert,' he said, turning to me.
'You are afraid to make your proposals openly, eh?' Dahler said, and there was a venomous note in his voice. 'It's a pity Farnell isn't here to advise Mr Gansert.'
'Farnell is dead.'
'Is he?' Dahler leaned suddenly forward. He was like a spider darting from the corner of its web. 'What makes you so sure he is dead?'
Jorgensen hesitated. Any moment now he would pick up his hat and walk off the ship. I could see it coming. And I didn't want that. If I could hold Jorgensen on board… And at that moment I heard the warning bell on Tower Bridge ring. I knew then what I was going to do. I edged towards the door. Jorgensen said, 'I did not come here to talk about Farnell.' I slipped out and hurried on to the deck.
A tramp steamer was edging out from the neighbouring wharf. The traffic on Tower Bridge had stopped. Carter and Wilson were standing by the rail, talking. I went over to them. 'Carter,' I said. 'Is the engine warm? Will she start up first go?'