The laboratory was a spacious apartment on the starboard side of the base of the fore-turret, with a hatchway communicating with the orlop deck. In one corner was a wide bench covered with test tubes, retorts, and similar articles used in chemistry, while on the floor were ranged nearly a hundred cylinders.
"Where's Mr. Taylor?" asked Captain Brookes, of an alert young officer who was engaged in some experiment of scientific research.
"I have not seen him during the last two hours, sir."
"H'm!"
"Shall I send for him, sir?"
"No, it does not matter particularly. Now, Mr. Tregarthen. Here are the explosive charges for the 6in. shells. The projectiles are discharged with Whaddite, an improved form of cordite, but what do you think is the composition of the bursting charges? I'll tell you; it's liquid air. With this explosive a 6in. is more deadly than a thirteen point five shell charged with lyddite. No armour plate can withstand it. Directly we have parted company with the tramp we have in tow, I'll give a demonstration of its power."
The captain's words were interrupted by the appearance of a lieutenant, pale-faced in spite of his tanned complexion, and evidently labouring under suppressed excitement.
"Sir," he exclaimed. "Will you come on deck? The officer of the watch has sent me to say that there's treachery aboard the Olive Branch."
"Oh, is that so?" asked Captain Brookes, calmly, then turning to Tregarthen he requested him to accompany him to the quarter-deck.
"Well, Mr. Sinclair," exclaimed the captain as the officer of the watch hurried to meet him. "What's amiss?"