‘Catch a sleep while you can, Captain,’ he said. ‘And if you want to get any oiling done before morning, now’s your chance. Just stay close to the engine-room.’ ‘There are other things besides the motors that need attention,’ Blake said. ‘I’ve got to make an inspection of the ship.’ The sailor shook his head, unsmiling. ‘Not tonight you don’t. Holtz is on the prowl, and he isn’t anyone you’d want to step on in the dark by accident. Stay in the light, where he can see you.’ The chill implication of the warning remained with Blake as he went down the ladder. He did not see Holtz on deck, but he had a strong consciousness of being under observation. The feeling was unpleasant, but the fact that he was being watched meant that the viper could not be stepped on. Furthermore, Holtz would not be watching him if there were trouble in the salon, so Freddy and Bruno had either not yet attempted to break into the bar or had managed it without attracting attention.
