"What do you make of that, old man?" he asked, holding up a carefully folded newspaper.
"Nothing," replied Smith laconically. "I can't make head or tail of German: never could, and don't want to—why?"
"It's a copy of the Tageblatt."
"And what of it?"
"Look at the date: Tuesday the 10th inst. Now how would Hamerton get hold of a German newspaper without going ashore? Mind you, this is the date on which the accident is suppose to have occurred."
"Rather extraordinary. But perhaps the skipper of the Hoorn left it there."
"Hardly likely. He had been out in the North Sea for a week before he picked up the yacht. Directly he brought her in here she was handed over to the harbourmaster. I think I'll see Van Wyk. He may be able to throw some light upon the matter."
"Wait till after lunch. He's bound to be out somewhere. Look here! I'll finish this sorting business; suppose you carry on and fry that steak."
"Righto!" replied Stirling, and reaching for a paper parcel containing a pound of very juicy steak he disappeared into the fo'c'sle.
Very soon the "Primus" stove began to roar, and an appetizing odour filled the interior of the little craft.