'Stemp,' he said, 'is this the correct thing? I suppose you know.'
'Yes, sir. Very smart indeed, sir. White caps are usually worn by yachting gentlemen in the Mediterranean, sir.' Stemp offered him the cap in question, resplendent with a new enamelled badge. 'Beg pardon, sir, but as to caps, most gentlemen lift them to ladies, just like hats, sir, but the captain and the officers touch theirs. His Grace always lifted his cap, sir.'
'I guess that'll be all right,' answered Mr. Van Torp, trying on the cap. 'Send the captain to my study, Stemp, and find out about when the ladies will be ready for dinner.'
Stemp disappeared, and in a few moments pink-faced Captain Brown appeared, quiet, round, and smart. [{346}]
'I suppose you're ready at any moment, Captain?' inquired the millionaire.
'Yes, sir. The pilot is on board, and the gentleman you expected is just coming alongside.'
'Oh, he is, is he?'
Mr. Van Torp evidently expected no answer to his favourite form of question when he was thinking over what had just been said; and the captain was silent.
'Then you can start now,' said the owner, after a moment's thought.
'Where are we bound, sir?'