“Well, what is it?” said the doctor shortly.
“’Eard you wanted a skipper, and come up.”
“Well,” said Uncle Paul, looking very hard at his unprepossessing visitor, while Rodd felt as if he wanted to laugh, but held the desire in check, “I may want one by and by, and a crew too; but I must have a ship first.”
“What sort?”
“Well, you are pretty blunt,” said the doctor.
“Yes,” said the visitor, with a nod; and he waited, but turned his eyes from the doctor and looked very hard at the nearest chair.
“Ah, yes,” said the doctor. “Sit down, Captain—Captain—”
The doctor waited for an answer, but the only answer made was by a movement, his visitor taking two steps towards the chair, and plumping down so heavily that the brass casters creaked.
The doctor glanced at his nephew, and then at the stranger, who seemed to be frowning at him with all his might.
“Er—what did you say your name was, captain?”