"Which is the man who wishes to make a complaint?" asked Calamity, when the prisoners had filed past him.
"You with the grouch, fall out!" cried the mate.
A man in sailor's uniform stepped out of the ranks, and, drawing himself up stiffly, saluted the Captain. The latter, as he glanced at him more closely, started, and a look of recognition flashed between the two.
"Your name?" asked Calamity.
"Fritz Siemann, sir," answered the prisoner.
"Mr. Dykes," said the Captain, "have this man sent aboard the Hawk, and see that he's kept away from the other prisoners."
"Very good, sir," answered the mate, who supposed that Calamity was going to deal with the grumbler in a manner that would check any further display of discontent.
When, later on in the day, the Captain returned on board the Hawk, he ordered Fritz Siemann to be brought to his cabin. The prisoner was brought in by a couple of sailors, who, at a word from Calamity, left them together.
"This is a strange meeting, my worthy Fritz," said the Captain, looking at the man with an ironical smile.
The prisoner shrugged his shoulders, but made no answer. He was a man of between thirty and forty, very fair, tall, and with a pair of small, cunning eyes.