“Can we engage places now?” asked Sanford,—for the clerk in charge spoke English.
“Certainly.”
“We will take three places in one room,” added the coxswain.
“Have you passports?” asked the clerk.
“No, sir.”
“We cannot sell you tickets then.”
“Not without passports?” exclaimed Sanford, appalled at this new difficulty.
“No; and passports must be visé by the Russian consul before we can issue a ticket.”
“We are down then,” added the coxswain. “My passport is on board of the ship.”
“So is mine,” added Stockwell.