“Who are you?” asked Hogarth.
“John Souttar, head-telegraphist, may it please your Lordship's Majesty”.
“Make haste: tell the First Lieutenant and the Chief Constable that the Lord of the Sea is here”.
By now all the revellers were on their feet; no sound: only, the clicking pendulum voyaged, landed an incense-whiff, and voyaged, like traders.
Then the Lieutenant appeared, mottled and panting, and immediately the Constable.
“Ah, Royds”, said Hogarth: “is it practicable to flood this room quickly with a hose?”
“I—should think so, my Lord King”.
“See to it. First set guards at the exits”.
He turned to the other: “Mr. Chief Constable, I give all present, except, of course, your Admiral, into custody, on a charge of misdemeanour on the high seas. The General Prosecutor will, in due course, forward the indictment to your Summary Court. Have your men here with handcuffs”.
Again silence, till, in four minutes, two men appeared on the steps, ball-nozzle in hand; upon which Hogarth said to O'Hara: “Follow me”, and as the two passed up, O'Hara tottery, care hanging on that ponderous nether-lip, Hogarth whispered the hose-bearers: “Drown the room well—man and woman—do not spare”.