“You know the Sea-Lark, the boat I’m using for the ferry?” Jack asked.
The chief nodded, and tapped a writing-pad on his desk with the point of a pencil. Though attentive, he was not much concerned, for other affairs were pressing.
“Well, some mysterious person has been coming on board her at night,” said Jack.
“What sort of a person?” asked the chief, stifling a yawn.
“I don’t know exactly. It was dark, and we couldn’t see him.”
“Well, what happened?”
“Why, nothing, exactly,” replied Jack. “It was about midnight and I heard some one prowling about on the deck. He opened the companionway door into the cabin and I jumped out of my bunk, ready to hit him with a stick, but he bolted.”
“Were you attacked?” There was something extremely matter-of fact about the direct question.
“I didn’t get hurt, if that is what you mean.”