IV

"Come! What happened last evening? We want to know," said Major
Granville, in his slightly overbearing manner. "I saw you with the
second engineer this morning, Fisher. I'm sure you have ferreted it
out."

"I am not at liberty to pass on my information," responded Fisher
stolidly. "You wouldn't understand it if I did, Major. There was danger
and there was steam. Two of the engineers had their arms scalded, and
one of the stokers was badly hurt. I can't tell you any more than that."

"Do you go so far as to say that the ship herself was in danger?" asked
Major Granville. He was talking loudly, as was his wont, across the
smoking saloon.

"I should say so," said Fisher, without lifting his eyes from the
magazine he was deliberately studying.

"Where is young Cleveland this morning?" asked the Major abruptly.

Fisher shrugged his shoulders.

"He was in his bunk when I saw him last. Heaven knows what he may be up
to by now."

Charlie Cleveland strolled in at this juncture. He had his right arm in
a sling.