The fleet will not heave-to,' replied the C-in-C evenly.

If you get it overboard it'll foul the cruiser's screws!' I expostulated.

Cruiser?' echoed the C-in-C, playing with me. Who said the ceremony was to be from Loch Vennachar?'

I half rose, but he waved me down.

' I think you should get the picture clear in your mind. Commander Peace will not be buried in the ordinary way.

The method might have pleased his own macabre taste. No, the British and American fleets will steam in line ahead, the mourning party being on Loch Vennachar's bridge. The fleet destroyer H.M.S. Amirante will detach and proceed at full speed between the lines of ships. Amirante will carry Commander Peace's body, while the chaplain conducts the service from Loch Vennachar. It will be relayed by radio to the other ships.' He turned to Ackroyd. What is Amirante's speed?'

Thirty-five knots, sir'

I was revolted at the thought of the Hollywood-type spectacle to please millions of television viewers (there was to be a hook-up via Telstar satellites) which would also massage the egos of the British and American naval commanders. The press, radio and television ballyhoo had also been deliberately engineered.

My anger flared. Thirty-five knots! Don't be bloody silly, man-you can't drop a body overboard at thirty-five knots!'

Who said we intended to drop him overboard?'

I rose to my feet in incredulity.

Not drop-fire.'

Fire?'

Yes,' said the C-in-C evenly. We are going to fire Peace into his grave from a depth-charge mortar.

2 MORTAR – RIDE FOR A CORPSE

I could not believe that he was serious. It sounded like a circus display to me.

The C-in-C went on. You must have wondered about the special coffin-I think Loch Vennachar's engineering shop did a fine rush job.'