"Humph. Bath ready?"
"Yes, sir."
The Old Man donned his bridge coat over his pyjamas before making tracks for the bathroom.
Suddenly he turned to his servant:
"So you were the man who came into my cabin during the middle watch?"
Scott stammered and went very red in the face. He was a meek, inoffensive man, and stood in deep awe of those set in authority over him.
"No, sir. Please, sir, I didn't," he protested. "I only took on at four bells."
Captain Bullock made no audible comment. He went to the writing-desk to see if anyone had left a chit there. There was none. He gave a swift, comprehensive glance at the book-shelf where, among other volumes, were the three separate code-books by which the owners and consignors were able to communicate with the ship. They were in their usual places.
The Old Man smiled grimly as he put a hastily formed suspicion from his mind.
"All right," he said gruffly. "Carry on."