Nevertheless I did return only two hours later, and just before midnight. I had had the man removed to a disused cabin, and when I got there the door was locked. Angrily I went on deck and found the boatswain.
"Pierce," I said, "the door of the sick-room is locked. What on earth does this mean? I want to see my patient."
"Oh, he's all right, sir. He went to sleep quite easy. I asked one of the hands to keep an eye on him, and I suppose he's shut the door. But it isn't locked."
"But it is," I said angrily.
"The blockhead!" said the boatswain. "I'll get the key for you, sir, if you'll wait a minute."
But I was not going to wait. I was making for the hatchway when I was hailed through the darkness by a voice:
"Dr. Phillimore!"
I turned, and little Pye emerged from the blackness.
"I've been trying to get to sleep, but I've got the most awful neuralgia. I wish you'd give me something for it," said he.
"In a moment," I said. "I've got to see one of the hands, and then——"