‘You’ve got the truth, and be so-and-so to you,’ broke in Crabb.
The armed sailor ground his elbow into the fellow’s ribs.
‘I am merely here to answer your questions, Captain Keeling,’ said I, ‘and must apologise for taking a single step beyond the object you had in calling me to you; but at least permit me to ask, cannot Mr. Hemmeridge explain the nature of the drug contained in that bottle?’
‘I do not know what it is,’ exclaimed Hemmeridge.
‘Suppose, sir,’ said Mr. Prance, ‘we give Crabb another dose; then you’ll be able to judge for yourself.’
‘You don’t give me no more doses!’ said Crabb. ‘Try it on yourselves.’
The captain sat a little, looking at me vacantly, lost in thought. He suddenly turned to Hemmeridge.
‘You are at liberty, sir; I remove the arrest.’
‘And is that all?’ exclaimed the other, after a brief pause, viewing him steadily. ‘I must have an apology, sir; an apology ample, abundant, satisfying.’
‘I will see you’—began old Keeling, then checked himself. ‘You can leave this cabin, sir.’