Sunde seized on to my new line of conversation with evident relief. 'Lor' bless me soul, no,' he answered. 'They'll be all roight. Metal don't rust right under the water, see. It's air and water what rusts metal. You see ships rusted 'cos you see 'em after the air's bin at 'em. But you sink a ship right under the sea an' then go da'n an' take a look at 'er — well she's all roight, see.'
He paused, and in that pause, Lovaas said, 'How long were you out off Skarv Island this morning, Mr Sunde?'
'Oh, Oi dunno,' Sunde replied quickly. 'An hour — maybe two. Why?' He looked across at Lovaas, but somehow he wasn't able to hold the other's gaze. His eyes dropped to his plate again.
'What time did you start work?' Lovaas persisted.
'Oh, Oi dunno. 'Ba't eight.'
'Then you would still be out there about ten this morning?'
'Couldn't say what time we was a't there till. Ask me partner. 'E's got a watch.'
'When will he be returned, eh?'
''Ow should Oi know? Depends 'ow long 'e takes ter get the oxy-acetylene plant. Mebbe 'e'll 'ave ter go inter Bergen fer it.'
Lovaas leaned towards Sunde. There was something almost menacing in the solid, squat bulk of him. 'Were you out off Skarv Island when we were searching for Schreuder?' he asked.