"And the ship's papers?"
"Miss Fletcher's got 'em."
"And now I want to know why you caught on to that sling before the woman had a chance?"
"She told me to, and anyhow my life's as good as hers," answered the man defiantly.
"I see. Well, by your own confession you're a coward, and by your looks you're a scoundrel," answered Calamity. "Mr. Dykes," he added, turning to the mate, "take this blackguard to Mr. McPhulach with my compliments and tell him to give the rascal the worst job he's got in the stokehold."
"I'm not going into no blasted stokehold!" cried the man fiercely. "You've no right to make me work, damn you!"
"Very good," answered Calamity in that quiet voice which those who knew him dreaded more than the most curseful outpourings. "You shall be a passenger as long as you wish. Take him back to the foc'sle, Mr. Dykes, and send the carpenter to me."
"Very good, sir," replied the mate, greatly wondering.
By the time the carpenter had received his instructions and departed to carry them out, the mate reported that the girl, whose clothes had been dried in front of the galley fire, was ready to be interviewed.
"Fetch her along then, Mr. Dykes," said the Captain.