“I was interested to see how he would frame up his case.
“'How did you find him?' I said.
“He grinned, moving his lip and his loose nose.
“'Some luck, Governor, and some sleuthin'. It was like this: I thought you was stringin' me. But I said to myself I'll keep out an eye; maybe it's on the level—any damn thing can happen.'
“He put up his hand as though to hook his thumb into the armhole of his vest, remembered that he had only a coat buttoned round him and dropped it.
“'And believe me or not, Governor, it's the God's truth. About four o'clock up toward the Inlet I passed a big, well-dressed, banker-looking gent walking stiff from the hip and throwing out his leg. “Come eleven!” I said to myself. “It's the goosestep!” I had an empty roller, and I took a turn over to him.'
“'"Chair, Admiral?” I said.
“'He looked at me sort of queer.
“'"What makes you think I'm an admiral, my man?” he answers.
“Well,” I says, lounging over on one foot reflective like, “nobody could be a-viewin' the sea with that lovin', ownership look unless he'd bossed her a bit.... If I'm right, Admiral, you takes the chair.”