The Kapitänleutnant had said, ‘Soon the blow will fall,’ and it had not seemed an empty threat. He had spoken in the knowledge that his death was upon him…One spring tide had come and gone since he had died. Smith wondered uneasily if Naval Intelligence had solved the mystery or whether it would only be solved when the blow fell — and it was too late?Soon.But when? Where?Brooding set him pacing out to the wing of the bridge but as he did so he caught Garrick watching him. Smith realised he was scowling at his own thoughts but Garrick must be wondering what he had to scowl about. He tried to throw off the mood because there was no point in worrying over a problem he could do nothing about. “I think the hands can keep to their own ships from now on.”Garrick nodded eagerly, emphatically, glad to see Smith smiling and to be able to agree. “It’s worked, sir. The men didn’t like being swapped about to start with and I was doubtful, but it worked. Dunbar is of the same mind.”
