The North Star's lookout was certainly conscientious.
The instant he spotted the iceberg, he sounded the alarm. The crew reacted just as swiftly, springing into action almost immediately!
"Hard to starboard! Full astern!"
The captain came out onto the deck at the sound of the alarm, glanced at the distant iceberg, and issued his orders as quickly as he could.
Given the distance between the iceberg and the North Star, they clearly had enough room to avoid it, provided they handled the ship properly.
However...
"It won't turn!"
The helmsman's reply made the captain draw a sharp breath.
"What do you mean, it won't turn?"
"I don't know! Something seems to be... jammed!"
Sweat poured down the helmsman's face as he desperately tried to turn the wheel, but it refused to budge, as though it had been carved from stone!
"Damn it, what's going on? Let me!"
The captain shoved the helmsman aside and grabbed the wheel himself. To his astonishment, no matter how much force he applied, it would not move an inch! The wheel, which should have turned smoothly, was completely locked in place!
Worse still... the captain realized with alarm that the North Star had not slowed down at all. It was still steaming ahead at full speed!
At the same time, the communication bell behind him rang frantically, its shrill peals as chilling as a funeral dirge.
"Engine room! What's going on? Didn't I order you to slow down?"
"There's a problem with the steam valve! We can't release the pressure!"
"What?"
While everyone scrambled to deal with this sudden emergency, Li Wei followed the second mate down the stairs, heading for the mail hold as quickly as possible.
"Why aren't we taking the Elevator, Mr. Detective?"
The second mate shouted his question as they ran