thinking. That's to his credit altogether. But it's a wonderful thing,
when you come to think of it, that one man like that should upset the
politics of Europe, and a man that does not achieve it, mind you, but
gets it by mere birth and chance. The paper said he had a million of
his own. A fool could be independent on that, aye, and live healthy,
too, if he weren't too much of a fool. But what right has a man with
wealth like that, I ask you? As Mr. Holgate was saying yesterday, it's
an insult to decent, hardworking men like you and me."

"So that's Mr. Holgate's idea, is it?" said I, and mused. The engineer
was proceeding in the strain when I saw the face of the boatswain jump
suddenly into the dimness of the engine-room. It was a thin-lipped,
gaunt face, lacking eyebrows, which added to the gauntness, and the
general complexion was red to the shade of crimson. When his jaw was in
repose it appeared as if the lower part of his face had been sucked up
into the upper like a lid into its box. But now his jaw was open,
disclosing a plentiful lack of teeth.

"You're wanted, doctor," he said, in his abrupt voice. "There's been an
accident forward."

I left at once and followed him, asking some necessary questions.

"I don't know exactly how it occurred," he said in answer.

"One of the men, Adams, fell on something and it's drilled a hole in
him."

When we reached the man's berth he was surrounded by a number of the
crew, whom I ordered off.

"If I've got anything to do I don't want to be hampered," I said, "so
clear out and leave Adams to me and the boatswain."

When the place was clear, I made an examination, and found a wound
under the shoulder-blade. It was not dangerous, but might well have
been so. I sent for my bag and dressed it, the boatswain looking on.
All the time I made no comment, but when I had finished I turned and
met the boatswain's eyes.

"That's a knife wound," I said, shortly.

"Is it, sir?" he replied, and stared down at Adams. "How did it come
about, Adams?" he inquired authoritatively.

"I was larking along with Gray and ran up agen him," said the man, in a
sullen voice. "I didn't see what he 'ad in his 'and."

"More fool you!" said the boatswain angrily. "D'ye think I can go short
of men for a lot of horse-play? All right, doctor? Nothing serious?"

"No," said I, deliberating. "If the knife was clean there's not much
harm done except that you go short of a man, as you say, for some