"Tom Ellis is all right. I vouch for him, for I admitted him myself. Who will vouch for the captain? Who took him in?"
"I don't know."
"I don't; but if anybody has admitted him, and not given him the signs, he ought to be instructed in them. Of course he must have been admitted, or he would not have voted," added Pelham, sarcastically.
"I have nothing more to say about this matter," replied Shuffles, disgusted with the cavils of his first officer.
"Nor I; but I shall satisfy myself whether the captain is a member or not," said Pelham, decidedly.
"Well, you must be very cautious what you do."
"Certainly I shall. I will give him the first sign; if he don't answer it, I shall conclude he is not a member; or, if he is, that he has not been properly instructed."
"Better not say anything to him," said Shuffles.
"Why not? He voted, and it must be all right."
"Don't you say a word to him, unless he proves that he is a member."