Part 30 (1/2)
”Well, Mr Benson,” broke in Captain Magowan, crisply ”Why do you hesitate?”
”I believe, Captain,” Jack went on, ”that there are several questions that can yet be asked”
”Ask them, then, Mr Benson,” directed the president of the naval board
”Yes, sir Yet I would prefer that the questions be asked on deck, in the presence of the entire crew, and also of the naval officer who had been stationed on this craft during the cruise”
Ensign Pike was the officer of the Navy who had been on board the ”Thor”
Pike had re this scene
”Very good,” nodded Captain Magowan ”We will return to the deck I can see that there are many questions to be asked”
On the deck, on first boarding, Jack Benson had noticed the absence of Fred Radwin While they were below Jack had caught a gliine room
When the naval board and the others reached the deck Captain Magowan had Captain Driggs, of the ”Thor,” and the ether
”Have you any questions that you wish to ask, Mr Benson?” the president of the board inquired
”Yes, sir At the time that the torpedo passed our boat I would like to know just who of the 'Thor's' cos?” des was a bronzed, shrewd-looking man of forty, with a face that looked rather sound and wholesos, promptly ”Mr Radwin had volunteered to relieve the ine room Mr Radas below at the time, sir”
”And who else?”
”No one else at that time, sir”
”I think I can confirm that, Captain,” broke in Lieutenant Danvers ”I had just studied the deck of this craft throughto myself that Radwin appeared to be the only one of this boat's complement as not on deck”
Fred Radas now su hi, however Radwin reave his inquisitors no satisfaction
Ensign Pike stated that he had had no knowledge of any torpedo having been driven froht very easily have happened without his knowing it, since the discharge of a torpedo would hardly h noise to carry from below to the after part of the platform deck
”But, anyway,” insisted John Rhinds, blandly, ”you must admit, Captain, that our possession of the full number of torpedoes allowed us is proof positive that we haven't been firing even one of the is certainly in your favor, Mr Rhinds,” admitted the president of the naval board, coldly ”I cannot see that the evidence at present available allows ofanyone under arrest I am bound, in view of the fact that suspicion has pointed your way, to state that I intend to leave the corporal and four of the marine privates aboard On the home cruise a marine sentry will be posted, all the time, close to the after port of your torpedo tube”
”It is huhed Mr Rhinds ”Still, I shall be the last to offer any objection to any arrangement that seems wise to the members of the naval board”
The corporal and four of his n Pike, with instructions to see to it that constant guard was kept by the torpedo tube
No allusion to the evidence could be made before the owan led his own party to the office of the coowan, slowly, ”I must admit that our most elaborate case of circumstantial evidence seems to be knocked into a cocked hat by the one substantial fact that the 'Thor' still has her full number of torpedoes on board”
”Then you don't believe that torpedo came from the 'Thor's' tube, Captain?” asked Jack Benson