"Yes, sir; I noticed that the Greyhound was in a very dirty, slovenly condition this morning. She wasn't so last night, when I looked at her," replied the boatman.
"Ah, indeed!"
"The white seats in the standing room were covered with black mud, and upon the edges there were stains of blood."
"Blood?" queried the philosopher.
"Yes, sir, blood; I have seen blood in my day, and I know what it looks like."
"Can it be possible! Blood! What could have happened to the poor boy?"
"I don't know, sir."
"It is really awful. There is no knowing what the poor boy may have suffered."
"He got back all right, for the boat was made fast, as usual, to her moorings."
"The poor fellow must have been off somewhere in the boat, in his sleep."