“'There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.'”
Had a meteor struck at the gentleman's feet, he could not have been more taken aback.
“What! What's this?” he cried. “You quote Hamlet! And who the devil are you, sir, that you know my name?”
“Your name, sir!” exclaims the captain, in astonishment.
“Well, well,” he said, stepping back and eying us closely, “'tis no matter. Good night, gentlemen, good night.”
And we went to bed with many a laugh over the incident.
“His name must be Horatio. We'll discover it in the morning,” said John Paul.
CHAPTER XXIII. LONDON TOWN
But he had not risen when we set out, nor would the illnatured landlord reveal his name. It mattered little to me, since I desired to forget him as quickly as possible. For here was one of my own people of quality, a gentleman who professed to believe what I told him, and yet would do no more for me than recommend me an inn and a tailor; while a poor sea-captain, driven from his employment and his home, with no better reason to put faith in my story, was sharing with me his last penny. Goble, in truth, had made us pay dearly for our fun with him, and the hum of the vast unknown fell upon our ears with the question of lodging still unsettled. The captain was for going to the Star and Garter, the inn the gentleman had mentioned. I was in favour of seeking a more modest and less fashionable hostelry.