He shook his head.
"'Tain't right, Master Ormerod, and don't follow in nature nohow."
"'Tis perfectly natural," I retorted. "Master Corlaer and I have escaped from the Walrus."
Ben came a step or two into the cabin and stared hard at Peter. Then he turned a disapproving eye upon the pools of water we had sprinkled on the table and the rich carpet.
"Well, it do look to be 'ee two," he conceded grudgingly. "But ye ha' mucked up the cabin awful, and the captain will be like to ha' me triced to the main for a round dozen wi' the cat."
"Not if you work quickly with a bucket and mop, Ben," I said, for I was as anxious as himself to conceal the traces of our entrance from Murray.
"Maybe so," he agreed. "But he won't like it that ye come aboard this way."
I seized upon his opening without scruple.
"Yes, he'll hold it against you, Ben. 'Tis a shame."
He shivered, and I appreciated what my great-uncle's wrath must be.