As they expected, Clapperton, Brinkman, Dangle, and Fullerton were also present.
"This is a most serious case," said Mr Forder.

"Yorke, I understand you know more about it than any one.

Will you kindly say all you know ?" "I know nothing," said the captain, "except that I believe the story is groundless." "That is unsatisfactory.

In a matter like this, there must be nothing like sheltering the wrong-doer." "It's because we were afraid of that, sir," said Clapperton, "that we thought it right to tell you about it." "Of course.

Fisher major, perhaps you will tell us about the missing money." Fisher major briefly related his loss and the efforts he had made to discover it.
"And what are your grounds for suspecting Rollitt ?" "I don't suspect him, sir; or rather I should not if it were not for what Dangle has said about him." Thereupon Dangle was called upon to repeat his accusation.
"It seems to me," said the master, "we require two important witnesses to make the case clear.