Part 13

“No, I don’t. It was in there last I heard. You know anything about it, Bervick?”

“I used a hammer to fix the ventilator the other night. I stuck it back in the lazaret.”

“Well, it ain’t there now.”

“You better look again,” said Evans.

“It ain’t there.” The man turned back to his work and Evans and Bervick climbed up on the dock.

Evans chuckled and Bervick said nothing.

They walked past the warehouses and the docks. Bervick was very quiet and Evans did not bother him.

He looked at the sky and saw that the gray clouds were beginning to thin. Perhaps they would have a good day, one of those days when the sky was blue and the sun shone clearly. He watched the sea gulls dart and glide in the windless air.

Evans wondered what the Major would have to say about the investigation. He hoped there would not be too many questions. He was afraid Bervick would say the wrong thing.

A truck stopped for them and they got into the back.

“I don’t think Barkison’s going to be too much bother,” said Evans. “I think he’ll help us out.”

“I hope so. Not that we’ve got anything to hide from him, much.”

“Sure, that’s right. We haven’t got anything to hide.”

The truck stopped at the Headquarters and they jumped out.

They entered a large well-lighted room, full of clerks and typewriters and file cases and all the necessary impedimenta of waging war.

Evans asked an effeminate-looking Corporal where he might find the Adjutant’s office.

“Right down the hall, sir. First door on the left, sir.” The man emphasized the “sir” in an irritating manner.

Evans and Bervick walked down the corridor. The anteroom to the Adjutant’s office was smaller than the room they had just left. Several clerks and several Lieutenants had desks here. On the walls were charts of as many things as it was possible to chart or graph.

Evans noticed that one of the empty desks had the sign “Lt Hodges” on it.

“Can I help you, sir?” asked a clerk.

“Yes, I’d like to see Major Barkison.”

“You mean _Colonel_ Barkison.”

“When was he promoted?”

“Well, he got it yesterday. You’re the Master of the boat he was on, aren’t you?”

“That’s right.”

“I think he’s expecting you. Wait here please.” The man went into the adjoining office and came out a moment later. “Colonel Barkison is busy right now. He’ll see you in a few minutes. Why don’t you sit down?”

“O.K.” Evans sat in Hodges’ chair and Bervick sat on the desk.

“Quite an office Barkison’s got here,” commented Bervick.

“Yeah, I’d go crazy in a job like this, though. He sits on his butt all day long.”

“I’d sure like to make the money he makes.”

“You could make more fishing.”

“Could be.” They waited for fifteen minutes. Then Lt Hodges came out of Barkison’s office.

“How are you?” he greeted them. “You can go in now.”

“Thanks.”

Lt Colonel Barkison was sitting behind his desk, his mouth firm and his jaw set as he shuffled some papers. He looked up as they came in. Evans and Bervick did not salute and Evans was not quite sure whether Barkison was disappointed or not.

“Good morning, Evans, Bervick. How’s your boat today?”

“Just fine, Colonel.”

“Good.” Barkison did not invite them to sit down and that irritated Evans.

“About this investigation....” Barkison began. He paused and seemed to be thinking. Then he said, “I’ve been appointed Investigating Officer.”

“Is that right, sir? I thought they would hold the investigation at Andrefski.”

“Normally they would, but you’re not going back there. We just got word from Andrefski that you’re to proceed straight to Seward for repairs.” Barkison smiled. “Maybe you’ll even get to Seattle.”

“That’s the best news I’ve heard,” said Evans, delighted. Bervick agreed with him.

“So,” Barkison frowned, “I’ve been made Investigating Officer.” He paused again, then he confided, “I’ll tell you what I’m going to do. I’ll take statements from you two and some others who might have seen Duval. We’ll do all that tomorrow. From what I’ve already gathered I feel that nothing new will turn up. So I can tell you _now_ that I’m going to report plain accident in line of duty.”

“I’m glad it’ll be as simple as that,” said Evans, not knowing what else to say.

“I feel you’ve had enough trouble without an unpleasant investigation,” said Barkison and Evans noticed that he was careful not to look at Bervick.

“Thank you, sir.”

“Don’t mention it. I’m quite appreciative of what you, ah, did. I’m not quite sure in my mind, however, that it was a wise thing to do, to take a ship out in such bad weather.”

Evans was surprised and a little angry. “What do you mean, Major, I mean Colonel?”

“Nothing at all, except that some might say, now mind you I don’t, but some might say you showed bad judgment.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, sir. You insisted on the trip. I said that we were taking a chance, that was all.” Evans tried to keep the anger out of his voice.

“I quite understand, Mr Evans,” said Barkison coldly, beginning to shuffle his papers again. “I shall see you tomorrow.”

“Yes, sir.” Bervick saluted and Evans did not as they left Barkison’s office.

“Well,” said Bervick when they were outside the Adjutant’s office, “there goes that medal of yours.”

“I’d like to knock that little bastard’s head in,” said Evans with feeling. “Did you hear him say I showed bad judgment?”

“Well, he had to pass the buck; I mean, it would look bad if people heard he insisted on taking this trip in such bad weather. He just wants to cover himself.”

“That man sure changed from what he was on the boat.”

“He’s just acting natural.”

Hodges came into the outer office as they were about to leave.

“What’s new?” he asked.

“Not a thing,” said Evans.

“How long you going to be around?”

“A few more days, maybe. Were going to Seward.”

“So I heard. That’s a good deal.”

“I’ll say.”

“Well, I’ll be seeing you around,” said Hodges. He looked at Bervick a moment and he seemed about to say something. Then he decided not to. “See you,” he said.

They said goodbye and went outside.

“What’s the matter with Junior?” asked Evans. “He looked at you sort of queerly.”

“He’s got too much imagination, I guess.”

“Is that it?”

“That’s it.” Bervick smiled.

The sky was blue and clear now and the sun shone on the white mountains. They walked back to the ship.

THE END

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:

Italicized text is surrounded by underscores: _italics_.

Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.

Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.