"Certainly," said Hartley.
The captain crossed to the fireplace and, seizing the bell-handle, gave a pull that made the kitchen resound with wild music. After a decent interval, apparently devoted to the allaying of masculine fears, Rosa appeared again.
"Did you ring, sir?" she inquired, gazing at her master.
"Send that bo'sun o' mine here at once!" said the captain, gruffly.
Rosa permitted herself a slight expression of surprise. "Bo'sun, sir?" she asked, politely.
"Yes."
The girl affected to think. "Oh, you mean Mr. Walters?" she said, at last.
"Send him here," said the captain.
Rosa retired slowly, and shortly afterward something was heard brushing softly against the wall of the passage. It ceased for a time, and just as the captain's patience was nearly at an end there was a sharp exclamation, and Mr. Walters burst suddenly into the room and looked threateningly over his shoulder at somebody in the passage.
"What are you doing here?" demanded Captain Trimblett, loudly.