tle Billy!"

The boatswain thumped the bar. He was a man who sees a light and likes
It not.

Japanese! Hunchback! Ichi! Martin seemed to see a light, also, a
dim, uncertain light. Perhaps it was the association of
words--Japanese, hunchback, Ichi.

Martin suddenly recalled the hunchback book agent of the afternoon. In
his mind's eye, he beheld the quaint figure standing before him in
Smatt's office, while Smatt and Dr. Ichi held conference behind closed
doors. But it seemed preposterous to identify that friendly, glib
little deformed man as the missing Little Billy, as the bosom friend of
this lachrymose viking. And what could this rough seaman know of the
exquisite Dr. Ichi?

The boatswain ceased his vituperation of the Nipponese Empire, and the
men thereof, through sheer lack of breath. Martin grasped the
opportunity.

"Say, what does Little Billy look like?" he queried. "Did you say he
was a hunchback? How was he dressed?"

"'E had on his go-ashore togs," said the bosun. "'E's a proper toff,
is Little Billy, when 'e's dressed up. Yes, 'e's a 'unchback, but you
don't notice 'is 'ump after you know 'im. 'E's a lot straighter than
some without a 'ump--'e's a white man, is Little Billy. And 'e's a
proper toff--'e's eddicated. Swiggle me, 'ow 'e can chew the rag! And
sing! Sings like a blessed angel!"

"Did he wear a black suit and a green velvet hat?" asked Martin.

"Yes, 'e did," answered the boatswain excitedly. "'Ave you seen him?"

"Yes, this afternoon," laughed Martin. "You need not worry about your
Little Billy. Neither the police nor the Japs have captured him. He
is improving his chance to pursue the avocation of book salesman."

Martin recounted his meeting with the purveyor of universal knowledge.
The boatswain listened silently and his red-shot eyes glinted
suspiciously. It seemed to Martin he was not so drunk as a moment
since.

"But, say," finished Martin, "who is this Ichi you mentioned? Do you
know Dr. Ichi?"

"Do I know Dr. Ichi?" echoed the boatswain. "Do I know----"

He glowered at Martin. The query seemed to inflame his temper.

"Do you know Ichi? Hey? Say, do you know Ichi? That's what I want to
know!" His manner became threatening. "Why, swiggle me stiff, you
must be one o' them, yourself!"

Assault seemed imminent. Martin backed hurriedly away.

"No, no, you are quite mistaken," he assured the boatswain. "You may
be sure I am not one of them, who