Tommy began to cry.
"Who is in this with you?" asked the officer.
"N—no one, sir," replied Tommy.
"Are you sure?"
"Qui-quite sure, sir."
"All right. Tell a lie and stick to it. We've got you, and that's enough for me," answered the officer.
Tommy continued crying, and rubbed the knuckles of his hands in his eyes, but nobody took any notice of him.
All were busily engaged in preparing to leave the vessel, and when she presently reached her dock, a grand rush was made for the gangway.
"Won't you let me go?" asked Tommy, thinking the officer might relent.
"Not likely," was the reply.