‘This,’ he declared, ‘is the surveyor’s preliminary report. Copies will be made available to you individually as you leave this room. But I can sum it up for you in just two words – “totally destroyed”.’

He turned again, throwing the paper on to the table and taking another held out in readiness for him, this time by John Lu.

‘This is another report, that of investigators who have for the past four days examined the ship to discover the cause of the fire,’ continued Lu. ‘This will also be made available. But again I will summarise it…’

He indicated behind him, to where two men in uniform sat, files on their knees.

‘And I have asked the men who prepared the report to attend with me today, should there later at this conference be any questions you might like to put to them. Their findings are quite simple. The Pride of America has been totally destroyed as the result of carefully planned, carefully instigated acts of arson.’

He raised his hand, ahead of the reaction to the announcement.

‘Arson,’ he went on, ‘devised so that it guaranteed the Pride of America would never be put to the use which I intended.’

He referred to the report in his hand.

‘“… Large quantity of inflammable material spread throughout cabins in the forward section,”’ he quoted, ‘“… sprinkler system disconnected and inoperative and fire doors jammed to prevent closure

… debris of two explosive devices in the engine room, together with more inflammable material, ensuring immediate and possibly uncontrollable fire… kerosene introduced into the sprinkler system at the rear of the vessel, so that the fire would actually be fed by those attempting to extinguish it…”’

He looked up, for what he was saying to be assimilated.

‘Provable, incontrovertible facts,’ he said. ‘As provable and as incontrovertible as this -’

Again the aide was waiting, handing to Lu a length of twisted, apparently partially melted metal about a foot long. The millionaire held it before him, turning to the photographers’ shouted requests.