Presently Malcolm made his way for'ard until he reached the foot of the ladder reaching to the destroyer's bridge.
"I'd like a few words with your captain," he said, addressing an able seaman.
The man eyed the erratically-clad New Zealander with tolerant amusement.
"A word with the owner, eh? Wot's wrong now, chum? Has your raggie pinched your dress-suit case?"
"Cut it out, my man," said Malcolm authoritatively. "In your lingo, 'stow it'. Request your captain to see Mr. Carr, of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade."
That did it. The intentionally-misleading use of the word 'mister' led the bluejacket to believe that Malcolm was a junior officer of one of the overseas contingent. For the first time in his life the young New Zealander received a Royal Navy salute.
"Very good, sir," said the bluejacket. "I axes your pardon, sir; no offence meant."
It was not long before Malcolm found himself in the presence of Lieutenant-Commander Sefton in the chart-room. Briefly he stated his case against the spy, Konrad von Feldoffer.
"You are absolutely certain?" asked the Lieutenant-Commander. "There would be a most unholy rumpus if I ran the fellow in and he turned out to be a neutral of unimpeachable character."
"I'll stake anything on what I say, sir," replied Malcolm. "If you will let me confront him----"