Jill and Curtis between them had got Dahler out from behind the table. 'Yes?' I called. 'Who wants me?'
'Kaptein Lovaas,' came the reply. 'May I come down please?'
I went to the companionway. 'What do you want, Captain Lovaas?' I asked.
'I wish to speak with you,' was the reply.
I glanced back into the saloon. Curtis was just shutting the door of Dahler's cabin. 'Very well,' I said. 'Come on down.'
A moment later Lovaas's squat bulk filled the companionway. 'It is a party, eh?' he said, smiling as he saw the glasses on the table. 'That is god. I will never refuse a little drink.' His face beamed. He was positively genial.
'Whisky?' I asked, picking up the bottle and one of the glasses.
'Whisky. Yes, that will do very well.' His thick, powerful fingers engulfed the glass I handed him. He waited till all our glasses were filled. Then he said, 'Skaal!'
'Skaal!' I replied.
He drained his glass at one gulp and breathed with satisfaction. 'That is good whisky, Mr Gansert.'