"Mamma, wouldn't it be better to address this officer by his title?" asked the elder of the girls. Then, turning to Eph, the same speaker inquired:
"May I ask your title? Are you a captain?"
"Only an ensign, miss," Eph replied, "and only an acting ensign at that."
While this brief conversation had been going on, the cook, stewards and watch below were being routed out. Now Captain Walford came aft to report:
"All hands on board, sir, have been turned out for your inspection."
"All?" insisted Eph.
"All, sir."
"Then, Captain Walford, I am going to do something that may appear very extreme, but I regret to say that I can't help it. I must search this craft. If I allowed one for whom we are seeking to slip through our fingers it would bring a lot of blame down about my head."
Eph now stepped back to the rail, ordering six of the sailors on board. To them he gave his orders. The party spread, going below. Eph, excusing himself to the ladies, went with the sailors.
No more thorough search could have been made. Every nook and cranny of the schooner was searched, but at last Eph was obliged to admit that the man he sought was not aboard.