On a slip of paper I wrote—"A Master Mason's wife and daughter in distress demands in their name that you will come to her," and gave it to the chambermaid, asking her to take it to the captain. As she hesitated the officer said, "You might as well."
She went and while I was trying to hush the baby a voice as kind and gentle as the benevolent face into which I looked, said:
"What can I do for you, madam? You sent for me."
"No, sir," I replied, "I sent for the captain of the boat, but I am glad you came; you seem so kind and may help me in my trouble."
"I am the captain of the boat," he answered. "What can I do for you?"
"You are not the gentleman who represented himself as the captain of the boat last night, sir, and bought for me my ticket. He was short and dark——"
The gentleman interrupted me, saying that the pseudo captain was a Federal detective who had advised that I be detained on the steamer until his return with the authorities and warrant.
I told him what the man had said about my father and the Masonic sign.
The captain replied:
"Your father did make that sign and placed you in our care. Come, I am captain of this steamer, and a captain is king in his own boat. Where did you say you wish to go! Stand aside," he said to the officer in charge.