The bald man cackled shrilly.
“The captain,” said he. “So you call him that, do you?”
“Of course.”
“Ah! Very good. And a splendid captain he is, I think.”
As he spoke the old man opened a door disclosing a very well-appointed room lighted by a number of wax candles.
“Will you step in?” he asked. “The captain said that you were to wait for him here.”
The two stepped wonderingly into the room. The old man followed them just beyond the doorway, and then paused.
“He is within there,” spoke he, with a nod of the head toward a door that communicated, apparently, with another room. “He is engaged with the person whom you have been in search of.”
“Not Siki,” exclaimed Ethan.
“We are to mention no names, if you please,” warned the old man, looking over the horn rims of his glasses, and wagging his head in strong disapproval.