He kicked the infirm chair out of the way and pushed forward a substitute. "There," he added, cheerfully, "that's solid's the rock of Giberaltar. Nothin' like bein' sure of your anchorage. Set down, set down."
He beamed upon the caller. The latter did not beam exactly. His expression was a queer one. Sears came to the rescue.
"Mr. Phillips," he said, "this is Mr. Cahoon."
Judah extended a mighty hand.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Phillips," he declared. "I've heard tell of you considerable."
Egbert looked at the hand. His expression was still queer.
"Oh—ah—how d'ye do?" he murmured.
"Mr. Cahoon and I are old friends," explained Sears. "I am boardin' here with him."
"Yus," put in Judah. "And afore that I shipped cook aboard Cap'n Sears's vessels for a good many v'yages. The cap'n and I get along fust rate. He's all right, Cap'n Sears is, I tell ye!"
Mr. Phillips murmured something to the effect that he was sure of it. He did not seem very sure of Judah. Mr. Cahoon did not notice the uncertainty, he pushed his hand nearer to the visitor's.