seemed to have
lost their tongues. Then the mate went on with a discreet glibness.

"You simply couldn't conceive what's going on on board your ship.
It wouldn't enter your head for a moment. You are too good--too--too
upright, Mr. Massy, to suspect anybody of such a . . . It's enough to
make your hair stand on end."

He watched for the effect: Massy seemed dazed, uncomprehending. He only
passed the palm of his hand on the coal-black wisps plastered across
the top of his head. In a tone suddenly changed to confidential audacity
Sterne hastened on.

"Remember that there's only six weeks left to run . . ." The other was
looking at him stonily . . . "so anyhow you shall require a captain for
the ship before long."

Then only, as if that suggestion had scarified his flesh in the manner
of red-hot iron, Massy gave a start and seemed ready to shriek. He
contained himself by a great effort.

"Require a captain," he repeated with scathing slowness. "Who requires
a captain? You dare to tell me that I need any of you humbugging sailors
to run my ship. You and your likes have been fattening on me for years.
It would have hurt me less to throw my money overboard. Pam--pe--red
us--e--less f-f-f-frauds. The old ship knows as much as the best of
you." He snapped his teeth audibly and growled through them, "The silly
law requires a captain."

Sterne had taken heart of grace meantime.

"And the silly insurance people too, as well," he said lightly. "But
never mind that. What I want to ask is: Why shouldn't _I_ do, sir? I
don't say but you could take a steamer about the world as well as any of
us sailors. I don't pretend to tell _you_ that it is a very great trick
. . ." He emitted a short, hollow guffaw, familiarly . . . "I didn't
make the law--but there it is; and I am an active young fellow! I
quite hold with your ideas; I know your ways by this time, Mr. Massy. I
wouldn't try to give myself airs like that--that--er lazy specimen of an
old man up there."

He put a marked emphasis on the last sentence, to lead Massy away from
the track in case . . . but he did not doubt of now holding his success.
The chief engineer seemed nonplused, like a slow man invited to catch
hold of a whirligig of some sort.

"What you want, sir, is a chap with no nonsense about him, who would be
content to be your sailing-master. Quite right, too. Well, I am fit for
the work as much as that Serang. Because that's what it amounts to.
Do you know, s