"I was up at six-thirty," said the captain.

"Right?" said Horitz.

The steward coughed. "Approximately right, sir. I should say that it was more nearly six-forty."

"Where did you go, Captain Tooker?" asked Horitz. "To the control room?"

"Certainly."

"Who was on duty there?"

"First mate—Marshall," said the captain angrily.

Horitz lifted his transceiver.

"All right!" said the captain, raising his hand. "I didn't arrive in the control room until seven-thirty. I can't account for the time, either, or rather I won't. I suppose you think you can burn me for that."

"Maybe," said Horitz soberly. "For your own sake, I advise you to tell me where you were."

The captain wilted suddenly. "I was—visiting a certain lady," he said. "That's all I'll tell you, but it's the truth." He stiffened again, and glared at Horitz. "If it comes to that, what time did you get up this morning?"

"Seven-twenty," said Horitz. "Well it's one of you two," he began.

One of the stewards coughed. "Excuse me, sir," he said, "but what you said isn't true."

Horitz looked at him without comprehension. "What isn't true?" he asked.

"You didn't get up at seven-twenty, sir. I saw you leave at not later than six-forty-five, sir."

Horitz simply stared at him. "What are you lying for?" he asked, puzzled.

"I'm not lying," the man said stiffly. "I remember distinctly, because I thought it was odd at the time. You left your room at a quarter to seven, and then I saw you come back about twenty minutes later. Both times, you had a funny sort of expression on your face—sort of dazed, you looked. When you came back, you had some papers in one hand, and you were carrying your belt in the other, sir."

The others were all staring at Horitz.

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