When Merry appeared in his stateroom he was greeted with a storm of questions.
"Well, what does this mean?"
"Trying to dodge us?"
"Running away?"
"Muts the whatter with you—I mean what's the matter?"
"Where have you been?"
"Stand and give an account of yourself!"
Then he told them a little story that astounded them beyond measure. He explained how he had taken a fancy to look the steamer over and had fallen in with the engineer. Then he related how he had visited the engine room and been thrown into the stoke-hole.
But when he told the name of his assailant the climax was capped.
"Harris?" gasped Rattleton, incredulously.