"You think he really sent the Cumberland down, then?" asked the captain.
"I know he did," said Wembler shortly.
"Nonsense!" snapped Talbot with unexpected sharpness. "Only the first mate would know that—and unless he's told you, you couldn't know."
Wembler looked at him curiously. "He didn't tell me—but his wife did."
Talbot looked as if he might explode; then abruptly he said, "Oh, I see—spiritualism." And thus he dismissed the subject.
The door of the cabin opened suddenly, and Munro looked in. "Something wrong, sir," he said.
"Eh? What is it?" asked Henderson.
"Lights on the water. Looks like a ship sinking, or else we're close to Java." Munro paused. "Will you come, sir?"
The captain nodded shortly and turned to his companions. "If you gentlemen would care to come along—? This promises to be interesting. There are greatcoats in the closet over there."
Munro led the way to the upper deck; the four men followed after him, bracing themselves against the gale. On the upper deck they were met by the first mate.