'Is the place afire?' asked Grinson, sniffing, as he bent his head over the hatchway. 'I thought 'twas Mr. Trentham smoking when I seed the smoke, but I see you 're disinfecting the cabin, sir, and I don't wonder. This 'ere wreck must have been collecting germs a good few years.'
'Come down, Grinson,' said Trentham. 'Where 's Mr. Hoole?'
'Taking a look up the chimbley, sir.'
'What chimney?'
'Well, that's what he called it; for myself I 'd call it a crack.' He came ponderously down the ladder. 'Jiminy! Ephraim, me lad, you never tidied up so quick in your life before.'
'I can't truthfully say as I tidied up, Mr. Grinson,' said Meek. ''Tis uncommon tidy for a cabin, that's a fact.'
'Picters, too! The master o' this 'ere ship must have been a rum cove!'
'He was a Frenchman, Mr. Trentham says.'
'That accounts for it. I remember a French captain----'
The chimney, Grinson,' Trentham interrupted. 'You haven't explained----'