I glanced at the chief mate as he walked forward. I thought he looked ugly and worried about something.
"Have you made that cringle, Phil?" said he, feeling uneasily in his pockets.
"Yes, sir," I replied, exhibiting my work.
"Who did that?"
"I did, sir."
"You lie!" exclaimed he, with an oath. "Somebody did it for you."
"No, sir; I did it all myself."
"Who helped him, Mr. York?" asked Waterford, turning to the second mate.
"No one, sir; he did it himself."
"Has any one seen a key lying about the deck?" demanded the mate, suddenly changing the topic.