'Thenyou are saying that you can of a surety be relied upon to state just why yourship was lost?' The disbelief bordered on sarcasm.

'Sir,there was a blow on that night, but I could hear L'tenant Rowley's words —every one!' he said, with rising anger.

Gardinerfrowned and threw a quick glance at the clerk, who had not resumed scratching.'I wonder if you appreciate the full implications of what you are saying,' hesaid, with a steely edge to his voice.

Kyddremained mute, and stared back doggedly. He would speak the truth — nothingmore or less.

'Areyou saying that simply because you could hear Lieutenant Rowley you can tellwhy your ship was lost?' The tone was acid, but hardening.

'Sir.'Kydd finally spoke, his voice strengthening. 'We sighted breakers fine towind'd,' he said, and recalled the wild stab of fear that the sudden frantichail there in the open Atlantic had prompted. L’tenant Rowley ordered helm harda'weather, and—'

Gardinerinterjected. 'By that I assume he immediately and correctly acted to turn theship away from the hazard?'

Kydddid not take the bait. 'The ship bore away quickly off th' wind, but L'tenantParry came on deck and gave orders f'r the helm to go hard down—'

Gardinerstruck like a snake. 'But Parry was not officer-of-the-watch, he did not havethe ship!' His head thrust forward aggressively.

'Sir,L'tenant Parry was senior t' L'tenant Rowley, an' he could—'

'Buthe was not officer-of-the-watch!' Gardiner drew in his breath.

Kyddfelt threatened by his strange hostility. The lawyer was there to find thefacts, not make it hard for witnesses, especially one who could explain it all.

'Buthe was right, sir!'

Gardinertensed, but did not speak.

Thetruth would set matters right, Kydd thought, and he had had an odd regard forthe plebeian Parry, whom he had seen suffer so much from the dandy Rowley. Hewas dead now, but Kydd would make sure his memory was not betrayed. 'Ye shouldput the helm down when y' sees a hazard, that way th' ship is taken aback.' Hesaw a guarded incomprehension on Gardiner's face, and explained further sothere would be no mistake on this vital point. 'That way, the ship stops in th'water, stops fr'm getting into more trouble till you've worked out what t' do.'