"I am delighted," he said, "to have this pleasure. My name is Baron Helmford."
"Ah!—a Swede?"
"My ancestors may have been so. I am from Friesland."
"And for what purpose do you live here?"
"I live here," answered the Master calmly, "mainly for scientific pursuits. There is, indeed," he added hesitatingly, "another reason as well, but one which, after all, I have really little reason to conceal from you."
"Why, then, do you not inform me of it at once?"
"Because a child might also hear it."
The Master here glanced significantly at the young midshipman who was also in the room.
"Oh, that is my son Paul," said the Commodore, with fatherly pride. "He is anything but a child. He is a midshipman on his Majesty's ship the St. Thomas, and has already been through many a deadly fray."
"I do not doubt it. And yet, he can hardly be more than—ah!—thirteen years old?"