"The what?"
"The pass."
"What pass?"
"Why, every night the cap'n gives out a new pass, and none go through this door without giving it."
"He must have forgotten to give it to me," I returned, clenching my fists unseen by the guard. "It's all right, though, so let me out, as I'm in a hurry."
"Can't help it. Hurry or no hurry, you can't get through here until the cap'n gives me orders to let you, or you give me the password."
I set my teeth.
With liberty before me I was not going to be balked in this way.
"Let me out!" I ordered.
"I can't do it."