"Take your hand off her, or I'll make you sorry for it."
"Oh, you will!" But at the tone of authority he released Lois.
"What is your name? Give me your number. I'll have you discharged for insulting a lady," said Keith.
"Oh, me name's aall right. Me name's Mike Doherty--Sergeant Doherty. I guess ye'll find it on the rolls right enough. And as for insultin' a leddy, that's what I'm goin' to charrge against ye--that and--"
"Why, Mike Doherty!" exclaimed Keith. "I am Mr. Keith--Gordon Keith."
"Mr. Keith! Gordon Keith!" The big officer leant over and looked at Keith in the gathering dusk. "Be jabbers, and so it is! Who's your leddy friend?" he asked in a low voice. "Be George, she's a daisy!"
Keith stiffened. The blood rushed to his face, and he started to speak sharply. He, however, turned to Lois.
"Miss Huntington, this is an old friend of mine. This is Mike Doherty, who used to be the best man on the ship when I ran the blockade as a boy."
"The verry same," said Mike.
"He used to teach me boxing," continued Keith.