Yet they could not conceal the pallor in their faces, nor could they hide the fact that their voices shook a little when they spoke.
"Make a thorough search, Mr.Hastings," directed Lieutenant Jack Benson, in a tone as even as though he were discussing the weather.
"It's barely possible that the duplicate plates have been only mislaid---that they're in another drawer." Hal Hastings turned with one of his quiet smiles.

He knew that the system in his beloved engine room was so exact that nothing there was ever misplaced.
"I'm looking, sir," Hastings answered, as he opened other drawers in turn, and explored them.

"But I'm not at all hopeful of finding the duplicate plates.

This damaged one had been filed thinner, which shows that it was done by design.

The man who would do that trick purposely wouldn't leave any duplicate plates behind." The four enlisted men and the cook had gathered behind their officers.
"Morton---the hound! This is his trick!" growled Seaman Kellogg hoarsely.