Trevorrick laid down his knife and fork and looked fixedly at his companion.
"Captain Nothing," he replied. "There won't be two captains aboard this hooker. You can put that in your pipe and smoke it."
"But we're on equal terms?"
"From a financial point of view, yes," agreed Trevorrick. "But mark you, I'm in sole command. There's no getting away from that: not an earthly. You, Pengelly, are second in command; to be consulted as and when I think fit. You are to carry out my orders unquestioningly. Have you got that? Good; then don't forget it."
Then, having delivered his ultimatum, Trevorrick's mood changed. He went on with his interrupted repast, chatting on topics that had no bearing upon the subject of the great enterprise.
Presently he inquired casually:
"Has Chamfer recovered his senses yet?"
Pengelly shook his head.
"I haven't given him a thought," he replied.
The captain stretched out his hand and pressed a push. For'ard a bell tinkled shrilly. One of the crew, tapping upon the door, entered.