nest," said he
presently, "and I really don't know why I should have been bothered
with it."

I was furious with Pye and his idea (as I conceived it) of legal
discretion.

"Very well, sir," said I somewhat sullenly, and turned to go, when the
door of the cabin opened and there entered Sir John Barraclough with
his customary _insouciance_.

"It seems, Sir John," said Day, in his ironic tones, "that not only
have I the honour of a distinguished baronet as first officer, but also
a prince as cargo."

There was, as I had gathered, little love between the captain and his
first officer. Barraclough laughed.

"Oh, you've just tumbled to it," he said. "I wonder how. But it was
bound to leak out some time."

I never saw a man more astonished than Day. He leapt to his feet.

"Good God!" he said. "I seem to be the only one who doesn't know what's
going on in my ship. Is this part of the jest?"

Barraclough in his turn showed surprise, but it was Holgate spoke.

"Is it true, Sir John? It can't be true," he cried, opening his mouth
so that the horrid tooth demonstrated itself.

Barraclough looked at Pye, who was mum. "I suppose this gentleman is
responsible for the news," he said.

"No, sir, I have said nothing," retorted Pye.

"I can't pretend to judge other professions than my own," said the
captain stormily, "but I'm inclined to think I might have been taken
into the confidence. Think where it places me. Heavens, man, what am I
in my ship?"

"I think the--Mr. Morland perhaps had better answer that question,"
suggested Barraclough with a little sneer. Day moved some papers with a
hand that trembled.

"That will do then," he said shortly. "Good evening, gentlemen. I've no
desire to detain you any longer."

"But----" said I.

"Silence, Dr. Phillimore. I command this ship," he cried angrily, "or
at least I'm supposed to. You can settle your differences with Mr.
Holgate elsewhere."

I shrugged my shoulders and left the cabin, a very angry man. In his
vanity the fool had refused to consider my charge. And, yet, when I
looked at this business more deliberately and from a little distance, I
could not deny that Day had some excuse. Holgate's story was remarkably
natural. The captain would judge of the third officer's incredulity by
his own, and would be therefore willing to accept the story of the
"spoof." But then he had not seen Holgate's face, and he had not heard
Holgate.

Even I was staggered by the turn th