ings had taken, though infuriated by
my treatment. And it did me no good to see Holgate's face smiling at me
as I went down the gangway.

"Oh, doctor, doctor, are you a Scotchman?" he whispered; at which I
would have turned on him savagely, but held myself in and passed on and
was silent. I have always found the value of caution.

CHAPTER V

THE WOUNDED MAN

Well, the whole affair had been a considerable farce, in which I had
played the most humiliating part. Indeed, but for the interposition of
Barraclough I must have come out of it the butt of all shafts. As it
was, I was sensitive in regard to my position, and more than once was
tempted to see myself as I must have appeared to others. But after all
they had not gone through the scene with Holgate, and were not
witnesses to his astounding perfidy. I was angry with every one, with
myself, with the captain, and, above all, with little Pye. In the
universal surprise that came of the discovery of Mr. Morland's
identity, my shame, so to speak, was covered, but I felt myself the
mark of ridicule, from Holgate's cynical smile to the captain's open
neglect of me. I turned on the lawyer's clerk in my fury, and gave him
some home truths about solicitors and their ways; to which, however, he
listened unabashed.

"Doctor," said he, "do you suppose a man in my position is his own
master? You are welcome to know what you will about my own affairs, but
I have my professional secrets to guard. What would be thought of me
had I come aboard blabbing of my firm's clients fore and aft? It would
have been a betrayal of confidence."

There was, of course, something in this, but the argument did not allay
my irritation; it merely directed it elsewhere, so that I began upon
the third mate. He heard me quietly.

"Mr. Holgate can answer for himself," he replied, "but it seems to me,
if I may say so without offence, doctor, that you are misinterpreting a
somewhat elaborate joke. Mr. Holgate's explanation is reasonable enough,
and besides, the only other explanation is monstrous--inconceivable!"

"I agree with you," I said shortly, "and so I say no more."

He cast a shrewd glance at me, but made no comment.

Now, it was quite conceivable that Holgate should have made me a
derisive object in the ship, but, on the contrary, he did nothing of
the sort. The charge I had made against him did not leak out at the
mess-table. Day, Holgate and Pye were aware of it, and so far as I kno