“Have you any idea where he is at present? You said a bit ago that you did not think he had been drowned at sea.”
“No,” she answered curtly.
“Can you so much as guess?”
“I don’t know if he’s living at all, so of course I ain’t got no idea where he is,” was her snappy reply. “Has he been telling you about me and him?” she asked, nodding toward the up-stairs where the Captain was presumably asleep.
“He hasn’t said anything to me, but–––”
“You’ll promise not to repeat one word to him of what I just told you?” she begged, again jerking her head toward the stair.
“I promise to say nothing about what you have told me. But I have my reasons for wanting to know something about this man Phillips.”
“What are your reasons?”
“I should not have said reasons, for I guess it is nothing but my curiosity that prompts me to ask. If you could tell me more of the facts I might be able to help you locate him.”