There is a second line of
steamers which connect South Australia with England, but we
will draw the larger cover first."
Holmes's card sent in to the manager ensured instant attention,
and he was not long in acquiring all the information which he
needed. In June of '95 only one of their line had reached a
home port. It was the ROCK OF GIBRALTAR, their largest and best
boat. A reference to the passenger list showed that Miss Fraser
of Adelaide, with her maid, had made the voyage in her. The
boat was now on her way to Australia, somewhere to the south of
the Suez Canal. Her officers were the same as in '95, with one
exception. The first officer, Mr. Jack Croker, had been made a
captain and was to take charge of their new ship, the BASS ROCK,
sailing in two days' time from Southampton. He lived at Sydenham,
but he was likely to be in that morning for instructions, if we
cared to wait for him.
No; Mr. Holmes had no desire to see him, but would be glad to
know more about his record and character.
His record was magnificent. There was not an officer in the
fleet to touch him. As to his character, he was reliable on
duty, but a wild, desperate fellow off the deck of his ship,
hot-headed, excitable, but loyal, honest, and kind-hearted.
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