"All of them! The poor old captain, with his politeness and queer abstractions and——"
"The old man's only forty," and Barnes chuckled. "But the hops gets 'em early. So you like the Eurasians, do you?"
"I don't like them, no, but they're interesting," stated Miss Sayers. "And the chief engineer is queer, too, only he won't talk—=="
"I was talking with him early this morning," put in Ellen Maggs. "He's a dear old man, Nora. He was telling me all about his early life in Scotland."
"He always does," put in Jim Barnes, "when he's in the middle of a big spree. Oh, don't look shocked! Won't do any good. I guess you ladies are disappointed that you didn't find another queer duck in the second officer's shoes, eh? Or am I queer, too?"
"You're just human," declared Miss Sayers promptly. "Only you're too busy to be very polite."
"I'm going to be busier yet, right after lunch," said Jim Barnes. "Oh, Steward! Get me some more of that curry."
"Why, what have you found now to keep you occupied?" asked Ellen Maggs, interested.
Jim Barnes did not respond until the steward had left the cabin. Then he spoke cheerfully, as he sugared his coffee with some care.
"Me? I've got to set the ship afire. As soon as they give the alarm, I want you two ladies to come up to the upper bridge-deck, and come quick! I'll be in the chart-house——"