"Then send this!" The police inspector in charge handed the operator his carefully written message.
The rapid volleying of the sending spark hissed itself out. And in the silence of the succeeding suspense, the American drew in beside the inspector, who bent intently over the operator, listening, with his receivers fastened over his ears.
The operator, as he received, wrote out his transcript upon the pad before him, and the inspector tore off the sheets and read them to himself.
"What are they saying?" the American demanded suddenly.
"The Bahia, sir," the inspector replied sternly, "is confirming the story given us by Mr. Manling himself in his statement mailed us this morning."
"That is?"
"They are saying, in response to our query, that, just before clearing the dock last night, a man, very drunk, was brought on board by
182
