ng to the hall, he returned
with the suit-case.

"Will you wish to go to your room at once, sir?" he asked.

"Why, I guess I might as well, Commodore," answered Captain Elisha,
smiling. "Little soap and water won't do no harm. Fact is, I feel's if
'twas a prescription to be recommended. You needn't tote that valise,
though," he added. "'Tain't heavy, and I've lugged it so fur already
sence I got off the car that I feel kind of lonesome without it."

The butler, not knowing exactly how to answer, grinned sheepishly.
Captain Elisha turned to Mrs. Dunn and her son.

"Well, good afternoon, ma'am," he said. "I'm real glad to have made your
acquaintance. Yours, too, sir," with a nod toward Malcolm. "Your mother
told me what a friend of the young folks you was, and, as I'm sort
of actin' pilot for 'em just now, in a way of speakin', any friend of
theirs ought to be a friend of mine. Hope to see you often, Mr. Dunn."

The young man addressed smiled, with amusement not at all concealed, and
languidly admitted that he was "charmed."

"Your first visit to the city?" he inquired, in a tone which caused
Stephen to writhe inwardly.

"No-o. No, not exactly. I used to come here pretty frequent, back in
my sea-goin' days, when my ship was in port. I sailed for Osgood and
Colton, down on South Street, for a spell. They were my owners. You
don't remember the firm, I s'pose?"

"No. The privilege has been denied me. You find some changes in
New York, don't you--er--Captain? You are a captain, or a bos'n, or
admiral--something of that sort, I presume?"

"Malcolm!" said his mother, sharply.

"Oh, no offense intended. My sea terms are rather mixed. The captain
will excuse me."

"Sartin! Cap'n's what they all call me, mostly. Your son ain't ever been
to sea, except as passenger, I cal'late, ma'am?"

"Certainly not," snapped Mrs. Dunn.

"Of course, of course. Well, 'tain't a life I'd want a boy of mine
to take up, nowadays. But it did have some advantages. I don't know
anything better than a v'yage afore the mast to learn a young feller
what's healthy for him to unlearn. Good day, ma'am. Good day, Mr. Dunn.
I mustn't keep the Commodore waitin' here with that valise. I'll be
out pretty soon, Caroline; just as soon as I've got the upper layer
of railroad dust off my face and hands. You'll be surprised to see how
light-complected I really am when that's over. All right! Heave ahead,
Commodore!"

He departed, preceded by Edwards an