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We were visited by these gentlemen during the following week, but the first to come was Mr. Graham. He was a tall spare man in his late fifties, of distinguished bearing, and with a quiet voice and manner that inspired confidence. From the moment of seeing him I was sure that my fortunes could not be in better hands. None of us had any knowledge of court-martial proceedings, and at my request Mr. Graham permitted us to question him with respect to these matters.

“I have the morning at your disposal, Mr. Byam,” he said, “and I shall be glad to be of what assistance I can to any of you.”

“I mean to conduct my own case, sir,” Morrison said. “I should like particularly to know the exact wording of the Article under which we are to be tried.”

“I can give you that precisely, from memory,” Mr. Graham replied. “It is Article Nineteen, of the Naval Articles of War, which reads as follows: ‘If any person, in or belonging to the Fleet, shall make, or endeavour to make, any mutinous assembly, upon any pretense whatsoever, every person offending herein, being convicted thereof by the sentence of the Court-Martial, shall suffer death.’ ”