CHAPTER IX
THE TALK IN THE DOLPHIN
Captain Marmaduke presented me to the two men, while his hand still rested on my shoulder.
‘Brother,’ he said, ‘this is Master Ralph Crowninshield, of whom you have often heard from Lancelot.’
‘Aye,’ said the old man, looking at me without any salutation. ‘Aye, I have heard of him from Lancelot.’
Captain Marmaduke now turned towards the other man, who had never taken his eyes off me since I entered the room.
‘Cornelys Jensen, here is Master Ralph Crowninshield, your shipmate that is to be.’
Cornelys Jensen came across the room in a couple of swinging strides and held out his hand to me. Something in his carriage reminded me of certain play-actors who had come to the town once. This man carried himself like a stage king. We clasped hands, and he spoke.