Literally forcing his way along the crowded deck, Bobby Beverley went below to make up arrears of sleep. At the foot of the companion-ladder he encountered Claverhouse, on whom the task of providing accommodation 'tween decks for the women and children rescued from the Cité d'Arras had fallen.
"Do you know your young brother's been in the ditch?" inquired Alec.
"By Jove!" exclaimed Bobby. "Is that a fact? Where is he?"
"Fact," confirmed Claverhouse. "At the present time he's shedding his wet gear in your cabin."
Dick Beverley looked a little confused when his brother appeared. As a matter of fact he had changed his saturated garments, and was in the act of attempting to remove all traces of the pools of water from the floor when the cabin door was thrown open and Bobby entered.
"What silly game have you been up to?" inquired Beverley Major sternly.
"Only got a bit wet," replied Beverley Minor. "Nothing much; I'll soon get your cabin straight, Bob."
"How did it happen?" demanded Bobby.
"Sort of slipped in," declared Dick.
"Pushed in?"