“You are a stranger?”
“A stranger at the Kerguelens? Yes.”
“Of English nationality?”
“No. American.”
He saluted me, and I returned the curt gesture.
“Sir,” I resumed, “I believe Mr. Atkins of the Green Cormorant has spoken to you respecting a proposal of mine. That proposal, it seems to me, deserved a favourable reception on the part of a—”
“The proposal to take passage on my ship?” interposed Captain Len Guy.
“Precisely.”
“I regret, sir, I regret that I could not agree to your request.”
“Will you tell me why?”