Another knock.
"Comin'. Don't be in such a hurry. Leave the milk can, yer fool."
Another knock.
"Must be deaf. Drat the lad, what's he wakin' an honest man up at this hour for?"
He went to the door, unlocked it, pulled back the bolt, opened it, and found Carl Hackler standing before him.
As Brack said afterward: "I wish I could 'ave pushed him into the harbor, me a'top of him."
"'Morning, Brack. I want a boat; can you come quick?" said Carl.
Brack's relief was so great that he gave a loud, startling laugh.
"What the deuce is the matter with you? Have you suddenly gone mad?"
"Sane as you are, Mister Hackler," said Brack. "Maybe a bit saner at times."