Again he sallied forth to the Captain's cabin and replaced the book. What rather puzzled him was the fact that the Old Man was sleeping naturally. His deep, regular breathing did not conform to the suggestion that he was under the influence of a powerful drug.
It was a disquieting discovery. He could not account for it. Perhaps, he thought, Captain Bullock had something up his sleeve. Even the satisfaction of having secured and made full use of the secret code-book had much of its greatness shorn by the haunting dread of the burly captain of the S.S. West Barbican.
CHAPTER XIII
Crossing the Line
"Mr. Mostyn."
"Sir?"
"Did you by any chance use the owner's code-book during the middle watch?"
"No, sir."
"Very good; carry on."