Lieutenant brough was out for a long walk.

That is to say, he had his glass tucked under his arm, and was trotting up and down his cleanly holystoned deck, pausing from time to time to raise his glass to his eye, and watch the top of the cliff, ending by gazing in the direction of the cove.
The men said he had been putting them through their facings that morning, and he had been finding more fault in two hours than in the previous week, for he was getting fidgety.

He had not enjoyed his breakfast, and it was getting on toward the time for his mid-day meal.
Suddenly he stopped short by the master, who had also been using a glass, and was evidently waiting to be spoken to.
"Seemed in good spirits last night, Mr Gurr, eh ?" "Mr Raystoke, sir?
Oh yes." "I mean liked his job ?" "Yes, sir; determined on it." "Humph! Time we had some news of him, eh ?" "Yes, sir; but he may turn up on the cliff at any moment." "Yes.

Men quite ready ?" "Yes, sir." "That's right.

Of course, well-armed ?" "Yes, sir; you did tell me.