“I cannot return to harbour for such a purpose, even with a written request from you,” answered Jack, scarcely able to restrain his laughter. “Perhaps the case in question has been brought on board after all. If not, anything I possess I shall be happy to place at your disposal.”
“You do not possess what I require, I am sure,” answered the major.
“But tell me what it is that your case contains which I cannot supply!” said Jack.
The major took Jack by the arm and led him out of earshot of his officers. “My second set of teeth,” he whispered. “I confide the fact to you; I shall never masticate my food without them; I shall die of indigestion.”
Jack could not help giving way to his inclination to laugh. “I own, major, I do not possess a second set of teeth of any description, but we will try the doctor; he is a clever man, and although such things are not supplied among our medical stores, he may possibly have some.”
“I shall be most grateful if he can furnish me,” answered the major, in the same tone as before; “but if you will not return into port, I must request you to institute a search for the dressing-case. You will not speak of its contents?”
Jack promised to do as the major requested, and directed Tom to learn if any case belonging to one of the officers had been carried forward or stowed away by mistake.
The major having allowed his “woman kind,” as he called them, time to shake into their berths, went below. He had not been there long before Jack, who had gone to his cabin, heard a low whispering from within. He caught the words—
“It was your fault!”
“It was yours!”