"Never mind, I have a pal in the Admiralty who gives me a few hints now and then.

I shall go and pump him." "Don't you breathe a word about having been board the _Scorpion,_" Conyers begged quickly.

"They wink at it down here, so long as it's done discreetly, but it's positively against the rules, you know." "Righto!" Granet agreed.

"There isn't a soul I'm likely to mention it to." "I'll come over to the 'Ship' as soon as I can get away," Conyers promised.
They raced across the mile of broken water to the landing-stage.

They were all a little silent.