“What are you going to do?” asked Herc.
“Inform the captain at once.”
“On the bridge?”
“Yes. It may be a breach of discipline, but it’s a case where necessity goes ahead of etiquette.”
“Why don’t you send word by an orderly?”
“Because the news would leak out all over the ship and cause no end of flurry and excitement. As it is, they may be able to check the fire’s headway without anyone being any the wiser till the danger is all over.”
Ned started for the bridge. As he did so another little puff of smoke, the danger signal of impending calamity, issued from the ventilator. There was no time to be lost, and Ned knew it as he hastened aft with his alarming intelligence.
CHAPTER XIV.
FIGHTING THE FLAMES AT SEA.
“You are sure of what you say, my lad?”