THE PORTCULLIS ROOM

AS they cleared the harbour mouth of Port Phadric on the mainland, Hans, chef of the S.Y. Ariel, was putting on the fresh herrings to grill for breakfast. Now the sun of a wan September day was high in the heavens and the smoky blue cloud on the horizon for which the Ariel's bowsprit was pointed had sharpened to the grey hogback of Toray rising stark and steep out of the sea.
For more than four hours Shamus the pilot had shared the bridge with Captain McKenzie in a stony silence. Philip Veri...