The old man paused open-mouthed, and the inspector went on in German: "You left your home, you crossed the sea, you wish to go to Portland to relatives—so far, so good, but where are your papers?"
The old man broke into a second burst of eloquence.
"Your certificate," reiterated the inspector, "your writing from the captain of the ship."
The old man shook his head sadly. He had no papers.
'Tilda Jane did not understand a word of what he was saying, but his gestures were expressive, and she anxiously watched his interlocutor.
"Where did you land?" asked the inspector.
"In Halifax, Nova Scotia."
"From what ship?"
"Das Veilchen."
"Captain's name?"