“Go to your quarters,” thundered the captain.
Roy turned and slowly mounted to the wireless house. At every step his heart grew heavier and heavier.
“A nice mess I’ve made of it,” he sighed, when at last he reached the wireless house and threw himself down on his couch. “I’ll never make good with the captain now, never.”
CHAPTER V
A FRIEND IN NEED
It was characteristic of Roy that he did not spend much time bewailing his misfortune. “If the captain objects to my looks now,” thought he, “how will he feel to-morrow, when that black eye becomes the real thing! Gee! I’ve got to do something quick. Let me see. It ought to be bathed in warm water and rubbed with butter or some other kind of grease. I can get warm water here in my room, but I don’t know where to get butter. Maybe the cook would give me some.”
Roy jumped to his feet and started down the ladder. “Gee whiz!” he muttered. “I wonder where the cook is?” For the Lycoming was still a mystery to Roy.
He went down to a lower deck, then stood irresolute. Not a soul was in sight, the ship was dimly lighted, and Roy did not know which way to turn. Suddenly the door of the purser’s office was flung open and a flood of yellow light streamed out. Roy stepped quickly to the door and knocked against the jamb.
“Come in,” said a hearty voice, which Roy was certain he had heard before.