Barraclough broke into laughter. "Upon my soul——" he began, but was interrupted by an angry exclamation.
"Be good enough, sir, to keep your counsel till it is asked, sir," said Day, trembling with fury. "I have too many princes and baronets here for my taste." He stamped round the room in agitation. "My men!" he cried. "Good Lord, what have I had to do with them? I wish I'd never seen the figurehead of the yacht. Good Lord! my men! I would sooner run an excursion steamer than submit to this."
Barraclough eyed him without any emotion, even with hard hostility. The exit of the Prince had stayed my departure, and abruptly Day came to a pause by me.
"That will do, gentlemen," he said quietly. Holgate, who was at the door, opened it, and his round face swung gently on his shoulders till his gaze rested on me again. Something flickered in it, something like a leer on that malicious blackness, and then he was gone. Day stood stock-still looking by me after him. As I turned to follow he addressed me.
"Dr. Phillimore, if you can spare a moment before you change," he said civilly, "I shall be glad of a few minutes."
I answered promptly, wondering, and the door closed behind Barraclough.
"Doctor, I haven't slept a wink for nights," burst out the captain suddenly; "I must have something."
He had a haggard, drawn look, and his eyes seemed sunken in his head. At once I was the professional man, and not an officer of the ship.
"Sit down, sir," said I, "and tell me. What is it?"
He sat down shakily. "I don't like my officers, doctor, and I don't like my employer," he said peevishly. I held his pulse, which was jumping.