"Everybody in this place seems to be mad to-night," he said, and the driver screamed louder.
With increased suspicion, the new man went off to the lavatory and looked in the glass. What he said is not known, but later, when Smith and Carstairs returned to the drawing office, they found him with a clean face. He didn't look up when they entered, but continued to read in moody silence. They sat down and read too, while the stoker and driver at the door of the engine room conferred notes with much laughter.
Not very long after the stoker appeared at the glass door of the drawing office. He knocked and came inside; his face was pale beneath its grime, and his eyes were full of apprehension, which he endeavoured not to show.
"Low water in number five boiler, sir," he said.
All three were on their feet in an instant.
Probably eighty per cent. of boiler explosions are due to low water. Smith's merry, boyish face grew pale and stern, as he moved quickly to the door. "How the devil is that?" he asked.
"Dunno, sir. Check valve hung up, I think."
"Have you lost sight of it altogether?"
"Yes, sir." The gruff, hearty man was very meek.
They arrived at the boiler house, all four. Smith looked at the water gauge glasses and blew them through.