Harold Bindloss

“ Some of the old shareholders never trusted the manager, and now there's talk of defalcations and reconstructing the company. Anyhow, as they mean to sell off the worst paying boats, you had better come to us."
"Thanks!" said Bell, with feeling. "I'll do my best; but you don't know much about me yet. Then there's Ferguson——"
"I know enough," Harkness answered, smiling. "There are probably more submarines about, and it looks as if you could be trusted by your country and your employer. Besides, we're rather short of good engineers, and. to satisfy you, we'll put Ferguson in the Mallard." ”

“ Bell went through to the manager's private room, where a very well-dressed man looked up for a moment and let him stand, though Torwood, who was rough and untidy, had generally given him a cigar. After a minute or two Linstock turned to him.
"The weather seems bad, but you must take the coal, which is urgently wanted in Ireland, across to-night."
"Very well, sir, though I'd have liked a day in port. Ferguson wants to dismantle his high-pressure engine." ”

“ The steamer was heading about south, which, with the ebb tide on her lee bow, would carry her into the danger zone, but the drag of the propeller prevented his bringing her round. At length a message came from Ferguson, and Bell left the bridge.
"Evans can finish the job noo," said the engineer. "As she's no quite ready for starting yet, we'll look at the cases."
He brought a lantern, and they went down alone into the dark hold. The cases were large and strongly made, and the steamer rolled awkwardly, but after working hard they loosened the top of one. ”

“ They've stopped the mail-boats, but the Cygnet's badly ashore near Strangford Lough, and I must get across."
Bell gave him his room, and went to the bridge when the Pharpar warped out of dock. The ropes were cast off from the pierhead, and with a smoke-cloud trailing behind her, and the white combers bursting on her bows, she lurched away into the spray that swept the Irish Sea. An hour later he went down and sent for his elderly Scots engineer. They were good friends, and Bell told him what the stranger had said.
"It's queer," Ferguson remarked. ”

“ His arm was bound to his side, and there was a bandage round his head.
"How's the boat?" he asked Harkness, who sat close by.
"Something the worse for wear, but steaming well on a course to Belfast."
"She's not consigned to Belfast," the captain objected feebly.
"We're going there, anyhow. We have two men badly hurt, who must be sent to hospital. Besides, you're damaged yourself." ”

“ Bell asked, with stern restraint as he took the money.
"We'll avoid particulars. Stop your engines when the Chickens Light bears south-east six miles, where you'll be in pretty smooth water. Perhaps you can arrange with your engineer for a bearing to get hot. Show no alarm at what happens, but do what you're told, and, when the cases are hoisted out, you'll be allowed to proceed." ”