He turned to the door and had taken only two steps when Vallery's voice stopped him dead, poised on one foot. "One moment, sir, if you please."

Starr swung round. Captain Vallery had made no move to rise. He sat still, smiling. It was a smile compounded of deference, of understanding, and of a curious inflexibility. It made Starr feel vaguely uncomfortable.

"Surgeon-Commander Brooks," Vallery said precisely, "is a quite exceptional officer. He is invaluable, virtually irreplaceable and the Ulysses needs him badly. I wish to retain his services."

"I've made my decision, Captain," Starr snapped. "And it's final. You know, I think, the powers invested in me by the Admiralty for this investigation."

"Quite, sir." Vallery was quiet, unmoved. "I repeat, however, that we cannot afford to lose an officer of Brooks's calibre."

The words, the tone, were polite, respectful; but their significance was unmistakable. Brooks stepped forward, distress in his face, but before he could speak, Turner cut in smoothly, urbanely.

"I assume I wasn't invited to this conference for purely decorative purposes." He tilted back in his chair, his eyes fixed dreamily on the deckhead. "I feel it's time I said something. I unreservedly endorse old Brooks's remarks, every word of them."

Starr, white, mouthed and motionless, looked at Tyndall. "And you, Admiral?"

Tyndall looked up quizzically, all the tenseness and worry gone from his face. He looked more like a West Country Farmer Giles than ever. He supposed wryly, that his career was at stake; funny, he thought how suddenly unimportant a career could become.

"As Officer Commanding, maximum squadron efficiency is my sole concern. Some people are irreplaceable. Captain Vallery suggests Brooks is one of these. I agree."

"I see, gentlemen, I see," Starr said heavily. Two spots of colour burned high up on his cheekbones. "The convoy has sailed from Halifax, and my hands are tied. But you make a great mistake, gentlemen, a great mistake, in pointing pistols at the head of the Admiralty. We have long memories in Whitehall. We shall-ah-discuss the matter at length on your return. Good-day, gentlemen, good-day."