"Worthyofmyundyingregard"
TO
BORYS
ANDALLOTHERSWHO，LIKEHIMSELF，HAVECROSSED
INEARLYYOUTHTHESHADOWLINEOF
THEIRGENERATIONWITHLOVE
PARTONE
——D’autrefois，calmeplat，grandmiroirDemondesespoir。
——BAUDELAIRE
ChapterI
ONLYtheyounghavesuchmoments。Idon’tmeantheveryyoung。No。Theveryyounghave，properlyspeaking，nomoments。Itistheprivi-
legeofearlyyouthtoliveinadvanceofitsdaysinallthebeautifulcontinuityofhopewhichknowsnopausesandnointrospection。
Oneclosesbehindonethelittlegateofmereboyishness——andentersanenchantedgarden。Itsveryshadesglowwithpromise。Everyturnofthepathhasitsseduction。Anditisn’tbecauseitisanundiscoveredcountry。Oneknowswellenoughthatallmankindhadstreamedthatway。
Itisthecharmofuniversalexperiencefromwhichoneexpectsanuncommonorpersonalsensation——
abitofone’sown。
Onegoesonrecognizingthelandmarksofthepredecessors，excited，amused，takingthehardluckandthegoodlucktogether——thekicksandthehalfpence，asthesayingis——thepicturesquecommonlotthatholdssomanypossibilitiesforthedeservingorperhapsforthelucky。Yes。
Onegoeson。Andthetime，too，goeson——tilloneperceivesaheadashadow-linewarningonethattheregionofearlyyouth，too，mustbeleftbe-
hind。
ThisistheperiodoflifeinwhichsuchmomentsofwhichIhavespokenarelikelytocome。Whatmoments？Why，themomentsofboredom，ofweariness，ofdissatisfaction。Rashmoments。
Imeanmomentswhenthestillyoungareinclinedtocommitrashactions，suchasgettingmarriedsuddenlyorelsethrowingupajobfornorea-
son。
Thisisnotamarriagestory。Itwasn’tsobadasthatwithme。Myaction，rashasitwas，hadmorethecharacterofdivorce——almostofdeser-
tion。FornoreasononwhichasensiblepersoncouldputafingerIthrewupmyjob——chuckedmyberth——lefttheshipofwhichtheworstthatcouldbesaidwasthatshewasasteamshipandtherefore，perhaps，notentitledtothatblindloyaltywhich……However，it’snousetry-
ingtoputaglossonwhatevenatthetimeImyselfhalfsuspectedtobeacaprice。
ItwasinanEasternport。ShewasanEasternship，inasmuchasthenshebelongedtothatport。
Shetradedamongdarkislandsonabluereef-
scarredsea，withtheRedEnsignoverthetaffrailandathermastheadahouse-flag，alsored，butwithagreenborderandwithawhitecrescentinit。ForanArabownedher，andaSyedatthat。
Hencethegreenborderontheflag。HewastheheadofagreatHouseofStraitsArabs，butasloyalasubjectofthecomplexBritishEmpireasyoucouldfindeastoftheSuezCanal。Worldpoliticsdidnottroublehimatall，buthehadagreatoccultpoweramongsthisownpeople。
Itwasallonetouswhoownedtheship。Hehadtoemploywhitemenintheshippingpartofhisbusiness，andmanyofthosehesoemployedhadneverseteyesonhimfromthefirsttothelastday。Imyselfsawhimbutonce，quiteaccidentallyonawharf——anold，darklittlemanblindinoneeye，inasnowyrobeandyellowslippers。HewashavinghishandseverelykissedbyacrowdofMalaypilgrimstowhomhehaddonesomefavour，inthewayoffoodandmoney。
Hisalms-giving，Ihaveheard，wasmostexten-
sive，coveringalmostthewholeArchipelago。Forisn’titsaidthat"ThecharitablemanisthefriendofAllah"？
Excellent（andpicturesque）Arabowner，aboutwhomoneneedednottotroubleone’shead，amostexcellentScottishship——forshewasthatfromthekeepup——excellentsea-boat，easytokeepclean，mosthandyineveryway，andifithadnotbeenforherinternalpropulsion，worthyofanyman’slove，Icherishtothisdayaprofoundrespectforhermemory。Astothekindoftradeshewasengagedinandthecharacterofmyship-
mates，IcouldnothavebeenhappierifIhadhadthelifeandthemenmadetomyorderbyabenevolentEnchanter。
AndsuddenlyIleftallthis。Ileftitinthat，tous，inconsequentialmannerinwhichabirdfliesawayfromacomfortablebranch。ItwasasthoughallunknowingIhadheardawhisperorseensomething。Well——perhaps！OnedayIwasperfectlyrightandthenexteverythingwasgone——glamour，flavour，interest，contentment——every-
thing。Itwasoneofthesemoments，youknow。
Thegreensicknessoflateyouthdescendedonmeandcarriedmeoff。Carriedmeoffthatship，I
mean。
Wewereonlyfourwhitemenonboard，withalargecrewofKalashesandtwoMalaypettyofficers。TheCaptainstaredhardasifwonderingwhatailedme。Buthewasasailor，andhe，too，hadbeenyoungatonetime。Presentlyasmilecametolurkunderhisthickiron-graymoustache，andheobservedthat，ofcourse，ifIfeltImustgohecouldn’tkeepmebymainforce。AnditwasarrangedthatIshouldbepaidoffthenextmorn-
ing。AsIwasgoingoutofhiscabinheaddedsuddenly，inapeculiarwistfultone，thathehopedIwouldfindwhatIwassoanxioustogoandlookfor。Asoft，crypticutterancewhichseemedtoreachdeeperthananydiamond-hardtoolcouldhavedone。Idobelieveheunderstoodmycase。
Butthesecondengineerattackedmedifferently。
HewasasturdyyoungScot，withasmoothfaceandlighteyes。Hishonestredcountenanceemergedoutoftheengine-roomcompanionandthenthewholerobustman，withshirtsleevesturnedup，wipingslowlythemassivefore-armswithalumpofcotton-waste。Andhislighteyesexpressedbitterdistaste，asthoughourfriendshiphadturnedtoashes。Hesaidweightily："Oh！Aye！I’vebeenthinkingitwasabouttimeforyoutorunawayhomeandgetmarriedtosomesillygirl。"
ItwastacitlyunderstoodintheportthatJohnNievenwasafiercemisogynist;andtheabsurdcharacterofthesallyconvincedmethathemeanttobenasty——verynasty——hadmeanttosaythemostcrushingthinghecouldthinkof。Mylaughsoundeddeprecatory。Nobodybutafriendcouldbesoangryasthat。Ibecamealittlecrestfallen。
Ourchiefengineeralsotookacharacteristicviewofmyaction，butinakindlierspirit。
Hewasyoung，too，butverythin，andwithamistoffluffybrownbeardallroundhishaggardface。Alldaylong，atseaorinharbour，hecouldbeseenwalkinghastilyupanddowntheafter-
deck，wearinganintense，spirituallyraptex-
pression，whichwascausedbyaperpetualcon-
sciousnessofunpleasantphysicalsensationsinhisinternaleconomy。Forhewasaconfirmeddyspeptic。Hisviewofmycasewasverysimple。
Hesaiditwasnothingbutderangedliver。Ofcourse！HesuggestedIshouldstayforanothertripandmeantimedosemyselfwithacertainpatentmedicineinwhichhisownbeliefwasab-
solute。"I’lltellyouwhatI’lldo。I’llbuyyoutwobottles，outofmyownpocket。There。I
can’tsayfairerthanthat，canI？"
Ibelievehewouldhaveperpetratedtheatrocity（orgenerosity）atthemerestsignofweakeningonmypart。Bythattime，however，Iwasmorediscontented，disgusted，anddoggedthanever。
Thepasteighteenmonths，sofullofnewandvariedexperience，appearedadreary，prosaicwasteofdays。Ifelt——howshallIexpressit？——thattherewasnotruthtobegotoutofthem。
Whattruth？Ishouldhavebeenhardputtoittoexplain。Probably，ifpressed，Iwouldhaveburstintotearssimply。Iwasyoungenoughforthat。
NextdaytheCaptainandItransactedourbusi-
nessintheHarbourOffice。Itwasalofty，big，cool，whiteroom，wherethescreenedlightofdayglowedserenely。Everybodyinit——theofficials，thepublic——wereinwhite。Onlytheheavypolisheddesksgleameddarklyinacentralavenue，andsomepaperslyingonthemwereblue。Enor-
mouspunkahssentfromonhighagentledraughtthroughthatimmaculateinterioranduponourperspiringheads。
Theofficialbehindthedeskweapproachedgrinnedamiablyandkeptituptill，inanswertohisperfunctoryquestion，"Signoffandonagain？"
myCaptainanswered，"No！Signingoffforgood。"
Andthenhisgrinvanishedinsuddensolemnity。
Hedidnotlookatmeagaintillhehandedmemypaperswithasorrowfulexpression，asiftheyhadbeenmypassportsforHades。
WhileIwasputtingthemawayhemurmuredsomequestiontotheCaptain，andIheardthelatteranswergood-humouredly：
"No。Heleavesustogohome。"
"Oh！"theotherexclaimed，noddingmournfullyovermysadcondition。
Ididn’tknowhimoutsidetheofficialbuilding，butheleanedforwardthedesktoshakehandswithme，compassionately，asonewouldwithsomepoordevilgoingouttobehanged;andIamafraidIperformedmypartungraciously，inthehardenedmannerofanimpenitentcriminal。
Nohomeward-boundmail-boatwasdueforthreeorfourdays。Beingnowamanwithoutaship，andhavingforatimebrokenmyconnectionwiththesea——become，infact，amerepotentialpassenger——itwouldhavebeenmoreappropriateperhapsifIhadgonetostayatanhotel。Thereitwas，too，withinastone’sthrowoftheHarbourOffice，low，butsomehowpalatial，displayingitswhite，pillaredpavilionssurroundedbytrimgrassplots。Iwouldhavefeltapassengerindeedinthere！IgaveitahostileglanceanddirectedmystepstowardtheOfficers’Sailors’Home。
Iwalkedinthesunshine，disregardingit，andintheshadeofthebigtreesontheesplanadewithoutenjoyingit。TheheatofthetropicalEastde-
scendedthroughtheleafyboughs，envelopingmythinly-cladbody，clingingtomyrebelliousdis-
content，asiftorobitofitsfreedom。
TheOfficers’Homewasalargebungalowwithawideverandahandacuriouslysuburban-lookinglittlegardenofbushesandafewtreesbetweenitandthestreet。Thatinstitutionpartooksome-
whatofthecharacterofaresidentialclub，butwithaslightlyGovernmentalflavouraboutit，becauseitwasadministeredbytheHarbourOffice。
ItsmanagerwasofficiallystyledChiefSteward。
Hewasanunhappy，wizenedlittleman，whoifputintoajockey’srigwouldhavelookedtheparttoperfection。Butitwasobviousthatatsometimeorotherinhislife，insomecapacityorother，hehadbeenconnectedwiththesea。Possiblyinthecomprehensivecapacityofafailure。
Ishouldhavethoughthisemploymentaveryeasyone，butheusedtoaffirmforsomereasonorotherthathisjobwouldbethedeathofhimsomeday。Itwasrathermysterious。Perhapseverythingnaturallywastoomuchtroubleforhim。Hecer-
tainlyseemedtohatehavingpeopleinthehouse。
OnenteringitIthoughthemustbefeelingpleased。Itwasasstillasatomb。Icouldseenooneinthelivingrooms;andtheverandah，too，wasempty，exceptforamanatthefarenddozingproneinalongchair。Atthenoiseofmyfootstepsheopenedonehorriblyfish-likeeye。Hewasastrangertome。Iretreatedfromthere，andcross-
ingthediningroom——averybareapartmentwithamotionlesspunkahhangingoverthecentretable——Iknockedatadoorlabelledinblackletters：
"ChiefSteward。"
Theanswertomyknockbeingavexedanddole-
fulplaint："Oh，dear！Oh，dear！Whatisitnow？"Iwentinatonce。
Itwasastrangeroomtofindinthetropics。
Twilightandstuffinessreignedinthere。Thefellowhadhungenormouslyample，dusty，cheaplacecurtainsoverhiswindows，whichwereshut。
Pilesofcardboardboxes，suchasmillinersanddressmakersuseinEurope，cumberedthecorners;
andbysomemeanshehadprocuredforhimselfthesortoffurniturethatmighthavecomeoutofarespectableparlourintheEastEndofLondon——ahorsehairsofa，arm-chairsofthesame。I
glimpsedgrimyantimacassarsscatteredoverthathorridupholstery，whichwasawe-inspiring，in-
somuchthatonecouldnotguesswhatmysteriousaccident，need，orfancyhadcollecteditthere。
Itsownerhadtakenoffhistunic，andinwhitetrousersandathin，short-sleevedsingletprowledbehindthechair-backsnursinghismeagreel-
bows。
AnexclamationofdismayescapedhimwhenheheardthatIhadcomeforastay;buthecouldnotdenythattherewereplentyofvacantrooms。
"Verywell。CanyougivemetheoneIhadbefore？"
Heemittedafaintmoanfrombehindapileofcardboardboxesonthetable，whichmighthavecontainedglovesorhandkerchiesorneckties。I
wonderwhatthefellowdidkeepinthem？Therewasasmellofdecayingcoral，orOrientaldustofzoologicalspecimentsinthatdenofhis。I
couldonlyseethetopofhisheadandhisun-
happyeyeslevelledatmeoverthebarrier。
"It’sonlyforacoupleofdays，"Isaid，intendingtocheerhimup。
"Perhapsyouwouldliketopayinadvance？"
hesuggestedeagerly。
"Certainlynot！"IburstoutdirectlyIcouldspeak。"Neverheardofsuchathing！Thisisthemostinfernalcheek……"
Hehadseizedhisheadinbothhands——agestureofdespairwhichcheckedmyindignation。
"Oh，dear！Oh，dear！Don’tflyoutlikethis。
Iamaskingeverybody。"
"Idon’tbelieveit，"Isaidbluntly。
"Well，Iamgoingto。AndifyougentlemenallagreedtopayinadvanceIcouldmakeHamil-
tonpayup，too。He’salwaysturningupashoredeadbroke，andevenwhenhehassomemoneyhewon’tsettlehisbills。Idon’tknowwhattodowithhim。HeswearsatmeandtellsmeIcan’tchuckawhitemanoutintothestreethere。Soifyouonlywould……"
Iwasamazed。Incredulous，too。Isuspectedthefellowofgratuitousimpertinence。ItoldhimwithmarkedemphasisthatIwouldseehimandHamiltonhangedfirst，andrequestedhimtocon-
ductmetomyroomwithnomoreofhisnonsense。
Heproducedthenakeyfromsomewhereandledthewayoutofhislair，givingmeavicioussidelonglookinpassing。
"AnyoneIknowstayinghere？"Iaskedhimbeforeheleftmyroom。
Hehadrecoveredhisusualpainedimpatienttone，andsaidthatCaptainGileswasthere，backfromaSoloSeatrip。Twootherguestswerestay-
ingalso。Hepaused。And，ofcourse，Hamilton，headded。
"Oh，yes！Hamilton，"Isaid，andthemiserablecreaturetookhimselfoffwithafinalgroan。
HisimpudencestillrankledwhenIcameintothediningroomattiffintime。HewasthereondutyoverlookingtheChinamenservants。Thetiffinwaslaidononeendonlyofthelongtable，andthepunkahwasstirringthehotairlazily——mostlyaboveabarrenwasteofpolishedwood。
Wewerefouraroundthecloth。Thedozingstrangerfromthechairwasone。Bothhiseyeswerepartlyopenednow，buttheydidnotseemtoseeanything。Hewassupine。Thedignifiedpersonnexthim，withshortsidewhiskersandacarefullyscrapedchin，was，ofcourse，Hamilton。
IhaveneverseenanyonesofullofdignityforthestationinlifeProvidencehadbeenpleasedtoplacehimin。Ihadbeentoldthatheregardedmeasarankoutsider。Heraisednotonlyhiseyes，buthiseyebrowsaswell，atthesoundImadepullingbackmychair。
CaptainGileswasattheheadofthetable。I
exchangedafewwordsofgreetingwithhimandsatdownonhisleft。Stoutandpale，withagreatshinydomeofabaldforeheadandprominentbrowneyes，hemighthavebeenanythingbutaseaman。Youwouldnothavebeensurprisedtolearnthathewasanarchitect。Tome（Iknowhowabsurditis）tomehelookedlikeachurch-
warden。Hehadtheappearanceofamanfromwhomyouwouldexpectsoundadvice，moralsentiments，withperhapsaplatitudeortwothrowninonoccasion，notfromadesiretodazzle，butfromhonestconviction。
Thoughverywellknownandappreciatedintheshippingworld，hehadnoregularemployment。
Hedidnotwantit。Hehadhisownpeculiarposition。Hewasanexpert。Anexpertin——howshallIsayit？——inintricatenavigation。Hewassupposedtoknowmoreaboutremoteandim-
perfectlychartedpartsoftheArchipelagothananymanliving。Hisbrainmusthavebeenaperfectwarehouseofreefs，positions，bearings，imagesofheadlands，shapesofobscurecoasts，aspectsofinnumerableislands，desertandotherwise。Anyship，forinstance，boundonatriptoPalawanorsomewherethatwaywouldhaveCaptainGilesonboard，eitherintemporarycommandor"toassistthemaster。"ItwassaidthathehadaretainingfeefromawealthyfirmofChinesesteamshipowners，inviewofsuchservices。Besides，hewasalwaysreadytorelieveanymanwhowishedtotakeaspellashoreforatime。Noownerwaseverknowntoobjecttoanarrangementofthatsort。
ForitseemedtobetheestablishedopinionattheportthatCaptainGileswasasgoodasthebest，ifnotalittlebetter。ButinHamilton’sviewhewasan"outsider。"IbelievethatforHamiltonthegeneralisation"outsider"coveredthewholelotofus;thoughIsupposethathemadesomedis-
tinctionsinhismind。
Ididn’ttrytomakeconversationwithCaptainGiles，whomIhadnotseenmorethantwiceinmylife。But，ofcourse，heknewwhoIwas。
Afterawhile，inclininghisbigshinyheadmyway，headdressedmefirstinhisfriendlyfashion。Hepresumedfromseeingmethere，hesaid，thatIhadcomeashoreforacoupleofdays’leave。
Hewasalow-voicedman。Ispokealittlelouder，sayingthat：No——Ihadlefttheshipforgood。
"Afreemanforabit，"washiscomment。
"IsupposeImaycallmyselfthat——sinceeleveno’clock，"Isaid。
Hamiltonhadstoppedeatingatthesoundofourvoices。Helaiddownhisknifeandforkgently，gotup，andmutteringsomethingabout"thisinfernalheatcuttingone’sappetite，"wentoutoftheroom。Almostimmediatelyweheardhimleavethehousedowntheverandahsteps。
OnthisCaptainGilesremarkedeasilythatthefellowhadnodoubtgoneofftolookaftermyoldjob。TheChiefSteward，whohadbeenleaningagainstthewall，broughthisfaceofanunhappygoatnearertothetableandaddressedusdole-
fully。HisobjectwastounburdenhimselfofhiseternalgrievanceagainstHamilton。ThemankepthiminhotwaterwiththeHarbourOfficeastothestateofhisaccounts。Hewishedtogood-
nesshewouldgetmyjob，thoughintruthwhatwoulditbe？Temporaryreliefatbest。
Isaid："Youneedn’tworry。Hewon’tgetmyjob。Mysuccessorisonboardalready。"
Hewassurprised，andIbelievehisfacefellalittleatthenews。CaptainGilesgaveasoftlaugh。Wegotupandwentoutontheverandah，leavingthesupinestrangertobedealtwithbytheChinamen。ThelastthingIsawtheyhadputaplatewithasliceofpine-appleonitbeforehimandstoodbacktowatchwhatwouldhappen。
Buttheexperimentseemedafailure。Hesatin-
sensible。
ItwasimpartedtomeinalowvoicebyCaptainGilesthatthiswasanofficerofsomeRajah’syachtwhichhadcomeintoourporttobedry-docked。
Musthavebeen"seeinglife"lastnight，headded，wrinklinghisnoseinanintimate，confidentialwaywhichpleasedmevastly。ForCaptainGileshadprestige。Hewascreditedwithwonderfulad-
venturesandwithsomemysterioustragedyinhislife。Andnomanhadawordtosayagainsthim。
Hecontinued：
"Irememberhimfirstcomingashoreheresomeyearsago。Seemsonlytheotherday。Hewasaniceboy。Oh！theseniceboys！"
Icouldnothelplaughingaloud。Helookedstartled，thenjoinedinthelaugh。"No！No！
Ididn’tmeanthat，"hecried。"WhatImeantisthatsomeofthemdogosoftmightyquickouthere。"
JocularlyIsuggestedthebeastlyheatasthefirstcause。ButCaptainGilesdisclosedhimselfpossessedofadeeperphilosophy。ThingsoutEastweremadeeasyforwhitemen。Thatwasallright。Thedifficultywastogoonkeepingwhite，andsomeoftheseniceboysdidnotknowhow。Hegavemeasearchinglook，andinabenevolent，heavy-unclemanneraskedpointblank：
"Whydidyouthrowupyourberth？"
Ibecameangryallofasudden;foryoucanunderstandhowexasperatingsuchaquestionwastoamanwhodidn’tknow。IsaidtomyselfthatIoughttoshutupthatmoralist;andtohimaloudIsaidwithchallengingpoliteness：
"Why……？Doyoudisapprove？"
Hewastoodisconcertedtodomorethanmutterconfusedly："I！……Inageneralway……"andthengavemeup。Butheretiredingoodorder，underthecoverofaheavilyhumorousremarkthathe，too，wasgettingsoft，andthatthiswashistimefortakinghislittlesiesta——whenhewasonshore。"Verybadhabit。Verybadhabit。"
Therewasasimplicityinthemanwhichwouldhavedisarmedatouchinessevenmoreyouthfulthanmine。SowhennextdayattiffinhebenthisheadtowardmeandsaidthathehadmetmylateCaptainlastevening，addinginanundertone：
"He’sverysorryyouleft。Hehadneverhadamatethatsuitedhimsowell，"Iansweredhimearnestly，withoutanyaffectation，thatIcertainlyhadn’tbeensocomfortableinanyshiporwithanycommanderinallmysea-goingdays。
"Well——then，"hemurmured。
"Haven’tyouheard，CaptainGiles，thatIin-
tendtogohome？"
"Yes，"hesaidbenevolently。"Ihaveheardthatsortofthingsooftenbefore。"
"Whatofthat？"Icried。Ithoughthewasthemostdull，unimaginativemanIhadevermet。I
don’tknowwhatmoreIwouldhavesaid，butthemuch-belatedHamiltoncameinjustthenandtookhisusualseat。SoIdroppedintoamum-
ble。
"Anyhow，youshallseeitdonethistime。"
Hamilton，beautifullyshaved，gaveCaptainGilesacurtnod，butdidn’tevencondescendtoraisehiseyebrowsatme;andwhenhespokeitwasonlytotelltheChiefStewardthatthefoodonhisplatewasn’tfittobesetbeforeagentleman。Theindividualaddressedseemedmuchtoounhappytogroan。Hecasthiseyesuptothepunkahandthatwasall。
CaptainGilesandIgotupfromthetable，andthestrangernexttoHamiltonfollowedourex-
ample，manoeuvringhimselftohisfeetwithdifficulty。He，poorfellow，notbecausehewashungrybutIverilybelieveonlytorecoverhisself-respect，hadtriedtoputsomeofthatun-
worthyfoodintohismouth。Butafterdroppinghisforktwiceandgenerallymakingafailureofit，hehadsatstillwithanairofintensemortifica-
tioncombinedwithaghastlyglazedstare。BothGilesandIhadavoidedlookinghiswayattable。
OntheverandahhestoppedshortonpurposetoaddresstousanxiouslyalongremarkwhichI
failedtounderstandcompletely。Itsoundedlikesomehorribleunknownlanguage。ButwhenCaptainGiles，afteronlyaninstantforreflection，assuredhimwithhomelyfriendliness，"Aye，tobesure。Youarerightthere，"heappearedverymuchgratifiedindeed，andwentaway（prettystraight，too）toseekadistantlongchair。
"Whatwashetryingtosay？"Iaskedwithdisgust。
"Idon’tknow。Mustn’tbedowntoomuchonafellow。He’sfeelingprettywretched，youmaybesure;andto-morrowhe’llfeelworseyet。"
Judgingbytheman’sappearanceitseemedim-
possible。Iwonderedwhatsortofcomplicatedde-
bauchhadreducedhimtothatunspeakablecon-
dition。CaptainGiles’benevolencewasspoiledbyacuriousairofcomplacencywhichIdisliked。I
saidwithalittlelaugh：
"Well，hewillhaveyoutolookafterhim。"
Hemadeadeprecatorygesture，satdown，andtookupapaper。Ididthesame。Thepaperswereoldanduninteresting，filledupmostlywithdrearystereotypeddescriptionsofQueenVictoria’sfirstjubileecelebrations。ProbablyweshouldhavequicklyfallenintoatropicalafternoondozeifithadnotbeenforHamilton’svoiceraisedinthediningroom。Hewasfinishinghistiffinthere。
Thebigdoubledoorsstoodwideopenpermanently，andhecouldnothavehadanyideahowneartothedoorwayourchairswereplaced。Hewasheardinaloud，supercilioustoneansweringsomestate-
mentventuredbytheChiefSteward。
"Iamnotgoingtoberushedintoanything。
TheywillbegladenoughtogetagentlemanI
imagine。Thereisnohurry。"
AloudwhisperingfromtheStewardsucceededandthenagainHamiltonwasheardwithevenintenserscorn。
"What？ThatyoungasswhofancieshimselfforhavingbeenchiefmatewithKentsolong？……Preposterous。"
GilesandIlookedateachother。Kentbeingthecameofmylatecommander，CaptainGiles’
whisper，"He’stalkingofyou，"seemedtomesheerwasteofbreath。TheChiefStewardmusthavestucktohispoint，whateveritwas，becauseHamil-
tonwasheardagainmoresuperciliousifpossible，andalsoveryemphatic：
"Rubbish，mygoodman！Onedoesn’tCOMPETEwitharankoutsiderlikethat。There’splentyoftime。"
Thentherewerepushingofchairs，footstepsinthenextroom，andplaintiveexpostulationsfromtheSteward，whowaspursuingHamilton，evenoutofdoorsthroughthemainentrance。
"That’saveryinsultingsortofman，"remarkedCaptainGiles——superfluously，Ithought。"Veryinsulting。Youhaven’toffendedhiminsomeway，haveyou？"
"Neverspoketohiminmylife，"Isaidgrumpily。
"Can’timaginewhathemeansbycompeting。HehasbeentryingformyjobafterIleft——anddidn’tgetit。Butthatisn’texactlycompetition。"
CaptainGilesbalancedhisbigbenevolentheadthoughtfully。"Hedidn’tgetit，"herepeatedveryslowly。"No，notlikelyeither，withKent。
Kentisnoendsorryyoulefthim。Hegivesyouthenameofagoodseaman，too。"
IflungawaythepaperIwasstillholding。Isatup，Islappedthetablewithmyopenpalm。I
wantedtoknowwhyhewouldkeepharpingonthat，myabsolutelyprivateaffair。Itwasexas-
perating，really。
CaptainGilessilencedmebytheperfectequanimityofhisgaze。"Nothingtobeannoyedabout，"hemurmuredreasonably，withanevidentdesiretosoothethechildishirritationhehadaroused。Andhewasreallyamanofanappear-
ancesoinoffensivethatItriedtoexplainmyselfasmuchasIcould。ItoldhimthatIdidnotwanttohearanymoreaboutwhatwaspastandgone。
Ithadbeenverynicewhileitlasted，butnowitwasdonewithIpreferrednottotalkaboutitoreventhinkaboutit。Ihadmadeupmymindtogohome。
Helistenedtothewholetiradeinaparticularlending-the-earattitude，asiftryingtodetectafalsenoteinitsomewhere;thenstraightenedhim-
selfupandappearedtopondersagaciouslyoverthematter。
"Yes。Youtoldmeyoumeanttogohome。
Anythinginviewthere？"
InsteadoftellinghimthatitwasnoneofhisbusinessIsaidsullenly：
"NothingthatIknowof。"
IhadindeedconsideredthatratherblanksideofthesituationIhadcreatedformyselfbyleavingsuddenlymyverysatisfactoryemployment。AndIwasnotverypleasedwithit。Ihaditonthetipofmytonguetosaythatcommonsensehadnoth-
ingtodowithmyaction，andthatthereforeitdidn’tdeservetheinterestCaptainGilesseemedtobetakinginit。Buthewaspuffingatashortwoodenpipenow，andlookedsoguileless，dense，andcommonplace，thatitseemedhardlyworthwhiletopuzzlehimeitherwithtruthorsarcasm。
Heblewacloudofsmoke，thensurprisedmebyaveryabrupt："Paidyourpassagemoneyyet？"
Overcomebytheshamelesspertinacityofamantowhomitwasratherdifficulttoberude，IrepliedwithexaggeratedmeeknessthatIhadnotdonesoyet。Ithoughttherewouldbeplentyoftimetodothatto-morrow。
AndIwasabouttoturnaway，withdrawingmyprivacyfromhisfatuous，objectlessattemptstotestwhatsortofstuffitwasmadeof，whenhelaiddownhispipeinanextremelysignificantmanner，youknow，asifacriticalmomenthadcome，andleanedsidewaysoverthetablebe-
tweenus。
"Oh！Youhaven’tyet！"Hedroppedhisvoicemysteriously。"Well，thenIthinkyououghttoknowthatthere’ssomethinggoingonhere。"
Ihadneverinmylifefeltmoredetachedfromallearthlygoingson。Freedfromtheseaforatime，Ipreservedthesailor’sconsciousnessofcompleteindependencefromalllandaffairs。
Howcouldtheyconcernme？IgazedatCaptainGiles’animationwithscornratherthanwithcuriosity。
TohisobviouslypreparatoryquestionwhetherourStewardhadspokentomethatdayIsaidhehadn’t。Andwhat’smorehewouldhavehadpreciouslittleencouragementifhehadtriedto。
Ididn’twantthefellowtospeaktomeatall。
Unrebukedbymypetulance，CaptainGiles，withanairofimmensesagacity，begantotellmeaminutetaleaboutaHarbourOfficepeon。Itwasabsolutelypointless。Apeonwasseenwalk-
ingthatmorningontheverandahwithaletterinhishand。Itwasinanofficialenvelope。Asthehabitofthesefellowsis，hehadshownittothefirstwhitemanhecameacross。Thatmanwasourfriendinthearm-chair。He，asIknew，wasnotinastatetointeresthimselfinanysub-
lunarymatters。Hecouldonlywavethepeonaway。ThepeonthenwanderedonalongtheverandahandcameuponCaptainGiles，whowastherebyanextraordinarychance……
Atthispointhestoppedwithaprofoundlook。
Theletter，hecontinued，wasaddressedtotheChiefSteward。NowwhatcouldCaptainEllis，theMasterAttendant，wanttowritetotheStewardfor？Thefellowwenteverymorning，anyhow，totheHarbourOfficewithhisreport，forordersorwhatnot。Hehadn’tbeenbackmorethananhourbeforetherewasanofficepeonchasinghimwithanote。Nowwhatwasthatfor？
Andhebegantospeculate。Itwasnotforthis——anditcouldnotbeforthat。Astothatotherthingitwasunthinkable。
Thefatuousnessofallthismademestare。IfthemanhadnotbeensomehowasympatheticpersonalityIwouldhaveresenteditlikeanin-
sult。Asitwas，Ifeltonlysorryforhim。Some-
thingremarkablyearnestinhisgazepreventedmefromlaughinginhisface。NeitherdidI
yawnathim。Ijuststared。
Histonebecameashademoremysterious。
Directlythefellow（meaningtheSteward）gotthatnoteherushedforhishatandboltedoutofthehouse。Butitwasn’tbecausethenotecalledhimtotheHarbourOffice。Hedidn’tgothere。
Hewasnotabsentlongenoughforthat。Hecamedartingbackinnotime，flunghishataway，andracedaboutthediningroommoaningandslappinghisforehead。Alltheseexcitingfactsandmani-
festationshadbeenobservedbyCaptainGiles。
Hehad，itseems，beenmeditatinguponthemeversince。
Ibegantopityhimprofoundly。AndinatonewhichItriedtomakeaslittlesarcasticaspossibleIsaidthatIwasgladhehadfoundsomethingtooccupyhismorninghours。
Withhisdisarmingsimplicityhemademeob-
serve，asifitwereamatterofsomeconsequence，howstrangeitwasthatheshouldhavespentthemorningindoorsatall。Hegenerallywasoutbeforetiffin，visitingvariousoffices，seeinghisfriendsintheharbour，andsoon。Hehadfeltoutofsortssomewhatonrising。Nothingmuch。
Justenoughtomakehimfeellazy。
Allthiswithasustained，holdingstarewhich，inconjunctionwiththegeneralinanityofthediscourse，conveyedtheimpressionofmild，drearylunacy。Andwhenhehitchedhischairalittleanddroppedhisvoicetothelownoteofmystery，itflasheduponmethathighprofessionalreputa-
tionwasnotnecessarilyaguaranteeofsoundmind。
ItneveroccurredtomethenthatIdidn’tknowinwhatsoundnessofmindexactlycon-
sistedandwhatadelicateand，uponthewhole，unimportantmatteritwas。WithsomeideaofnothurtinghisfeelingsIblinkedathiminaninterestedmanner。ButwhenheproceededtoaskmemysteriouslywhetherIrememberedwhathadpassedjustnowbetweenthatStewardofoursand"thatmanHamilton，"Ionlygruntedsourlyassentandturnedawaymyhead。
"Aye。Butdoyouremembereveryword？"heinsistedtactfully。
"Idon’tknow。It’snoneofmybusiness，"I
snappedout，consigning，moreover，theStewardandHamiltonaloudtoeternalperdition。
Imeanttobeveryenergeticandfinal，butCaptainGilescontinuedtogazeatmethought-
fully。Nothingcouldstophim。Hewentontopointoutthatmypersonalitywasinvolvedinthatconversation。WhenItriedtopreservethesemblanceofunconcernhebecamepositivelycruel。Iheardwhatthemanhadsaid？Yes？
WhatdidIthinkofitthen？——hewantedtoknow。
CaptainGiles’appearanceexcludingthesus-
picionofmereslymalice，Icametotheconclusionthathewassimplythemosttactlessidiotonearth。
Ialmostdespisedmyselffortheweaknessofattemptingtoenlightenhiscommonunderstand-
ing。IstartedtoexplainthatIdidnotthinkanythingwhatever。Hamiltonwasnotworthathought。Whatsuchanoffensiveloafer……
"Aye！thatheis，"interjectedCaptainGiles……thoughtorsaidwasbelowanydecentman’scontempt，andIdidnotproposetotaketheslightestnoticeofit。
Thisattitudeseemedtomesosimpleandob-
viousthatIwasreallyastonishedatGilesgivingnosignofassent。Suchperfectstupiditywasalmostinteresting。
"Whatwouldyoulikemetodo？"Iasked，laughing。"Ican’tstartarowwithhimbecauseoftheopinionhehasformedofme。Ofcourse，I’veheardofthecontemptuouswayhealludestome。Buthedoesn’tintrudehiscontemptonmynotice。Hehasneverexpresseditinmyhearing。Forevenjustnowhedidn’tknowwecouldhearhim。Ishouldonlymakemyselfridiculous。"
ThathopelessGileswentonpuffingathispipemoodily。Allatoncehisfacecleared，andhespoke。
"Youmissedmypoint。"
"HaveI？Iamverygladtohearit，"Isaid。
WithincreasinganimationhestatedagainthatIhadmissedhispoint。Entirely。Andinatoneofgrowingself-consciouscomplacencyhetoldmethatfewthingsescapedhisattention，andhewasratherusedtothinkthemout，andgenerallyfromhisexperienceoflifeandmenar-
rivedattherightconclusion。
Thisbitofself-praise，ofcourse，fittedexcel-
lentlythelaboriousinanityofthewholeconversa-
tion。Thewholethingstrengthenedinmethatobscurefeelingoflifebeingbutawasteofdays，which，half-unconsciously，haddrivenmeoutofacomfortableberth，awayfrommenIliked，tofleefromthemenaceofemptiness……andtofindinanityatthefirstturn。Herewasamanofrecognizedcharacterandachievementdisclosedasanabsurdanddrearychatterer。Anditwasprobablylikethiseverywhere——fromeasttowest，fromthebottomtothetopofthesocialscale。
Agreatdiscouragementfellonme。Aspiritualdrowsiness。Giles’voicewasgoingoncompla-
cently;theveryvoiceoftheuniversalhollowconceit。AndIwasnolongerangrywithit。
Therewasnothingoriginal，nothingnew，star-
tling，informing，toexpectfromtheworld;noop-
portunitiestofindoutsomethingaboutoneself，nowisdomtoacquire，nofuntoenjoy。Every-
thingwasstupidandoverrated，evenasCaptainGileswas。Sobeit。
ThenameofHamiltonsuddenlycaughtmyearandrousedmeup。
"Ithoughtwehaddonewithhim，"Isaid，withthegreatestpossibledistaste。
"Yes。ButconsideringwhatwehappenedtohearjustnowIthinkyououghttodoit。"
"Oughttodoit？"Isatupbewildered。"Dowhat？"
CaptainGilesconfrontedmeverymuchsur-
prised。
"Why！DowhatIhavebeenadvisingyoutotry。YougoandasktheStewardwhatwasthereinthatletterfromtheHarbourOffice。Askhimstraightout。"
Iremainedspeechlessforatime。Herewassomethingunexpectedandoriginalenoughtobealtogetherincomprehensible。Imurmured，as-
tounded：
"ButIthoughtitwasHamiltonthatyou……"
"Exactly。Don’tyoulethim。YoudowhatI
tellyou。YoutacklethatSteward。You’llmakehimjump，Ibet，"insistedCaptainGiles，wavinghissmoulderingpipeimpressivelyatme。Thenhetookthreerapidpuffsatit。
Hisaspectoftriumphantacutenesswasinde-
scribable。Yetthemanremainedastrangelysympatheticcreature。Benevolenceradiatedfromhimridiculously，mildly，impressively。Itwasirritating，too。ButIpointedoutcoldly，asonewhodealswiththeincomprehensible，thatI
didn’tseeanyreasontoexposemyselftoasnubfromthefellow。Hewasaveryunsatisfactorystewardandamiserablewretchbesides，butI
wouldjustassoonthinkoftweakinghisnose。
"Tweakinghisnose，"saidCaptainGilesinascandalizedtone。"Muchuseitwouldbetoyou。"
Thatremarkwassoirrelevantthatonecouldmakenoanswertoit。Butthesenseoftheab-
surditywasbeginningatlasttoexerciseitswell-
knownfascination。IfeltImustnotletthemantalktomeanymore。Igotup，observingcurtlythathewastoomuchforme——thatI
couldn’tmakehimout。
BeforeIhadtimetomoveawayhespokeagaininachangedtoneofobstinacyandpuffingnervouslyathispipe。
"Well——he’sa——noaccountcuss——anyhow。
Youjust——askhim。That’sall。"
Thatnewmannerimpressedme——orrathermademepause。ButsanityassertingitsswayatonceIlefttheverandahaftergivinghimamirthlesssmile。InafewstridesIfoundmyselfinthediningroom，nowclearedandempty。Butduringthatshorttimevariousthoughtsoccurredtome，suchas：thatGileshadbeenmakingfunofme，expectingsomeamusementatmyexpense;
thatIprobablylookedsillyandgullible;thatI
knewverylittleoflife……
Thedoorfacingmeacrossthediningroomflewopentomyextremesurprise。Itwasthedoorinscribedwiththeword"Steward"andthemanhimselfranoutofhisstuffy，Philistinishlairinhisabsurd，hunted-animalmanner，makingforthegardendoor。
TothisdayIdon’tknowwhatmademecallafterhim。"Isay！Waitaminute。"Perhapsitwasthesidelongglancehegaveme;orpossiblyIwasyetundertheinfluenceofCaptainGiles’
mysteriousearnestness。Well，itwasanimpulseofsomesort;aneffectofthatforcesomewherewithinourliveswhichshapesthemthiswayorthat。Forifthesewordshadnotescapedfrommylips（mywillhadnothingtodowiththat）myexistencewould，tobesure，havebeenstillasea-
man’sexistence，butdirectedonnowtomeutterlyinconceivablelines。
No。Mywillhadnothingtodowithit。In-
deed，nosoonerhadImadethatfatefulnoisethanIbecameextremelysorryforit。HadthemanstoppedandfacedmeIwouldhavehadtoretireindisorder。ForIhadnonotiontocarryoutCaptainGiles’idioticjoke，eitheratmyownexpenseorattheexpenseoftheSteward。
Butheretheoldhumaninstinctofthechasecameintoplay。Hepretendedtobedeaf，andI，withoutthinkingasecondaboutit，dashedalongmyownsideofthediningtableandcuthimoffattheverydoor。
"Whycan’tyouanswerwhenyouarespokento？"Iaskedroughly。
Heleanedagainstthelintelofthedoor。Helookedextremelywretched。Humannatureis，I
fear，notverynicerightthrough。Thereareuglyspotsinit。Ifoundmyselfgrowingangry，andthat，Ibelieve，onlybecausemyquarrylookedsowoe-begone。Miserablebeggar！
Iwentforhimwithoutmoreado。"Iunder-
standtherewasanofficialcommunicationtotheHomefromtheHarbourOfficethismorning。Isthatso？"
Insteadoftellingmetomindmyownbusiness，ashemighthavedone，hebegantowhinewithanundertoneofimpudence。Hecouldn’tseemeanywherethismorning。Hecouldn’tbeexpectedtorunalloverthetownafterme。
"Whowantsyouto？"Icried。Andthenmyeyesbecameopenedtotheinwardnessofthingsandspeechesthetrivialityofwhichhadbeensobafflingandtiresome。
ItoldhimIwantedtoknowwhatwasinthatletter。Mysternnessoftoneandbehaviourwasonlyhalfassumed。Curiositycanbeaveryfiercesentiment——attimes。
Hetookrefugeinasilly，mutteringsulkiness。
Itwasnothingtome，hemumbled。IhadtoldhimIwasgoinghome。AndsinceIwasgoinghomehedidn’tseewhyheshould……
Thatwasthelineofhisargument，anditwasirrelevantenoughtobealmostinsulting。Insult-
ingtoone’sintelligence，Imean。
Inthattwilightregionbetweenyouthandmaturity，inwhichIhadmybeingthen，oneispeculiarlysensitivetothatkindofinsult。IamafraidmybehaviourtotheStewardbecameveryroughindeed。Butitwasn’tinhimtofaceoutanythingoranybody。Drughabitorsolitarytippling，perhaps。AndwhenIforgotmyselfsofarastoswearathimhebrokedownandbegantoshriek。
Idon’tmeantosaythathemadeagreatout-
cry。Itwasacynicalshriekingconfession，onlyfaint——piteouslyfaint。Itwasn’tverycoherenteither，butsufficientlysotostrikemedumbatfirst。
Iturnedmyeyesfromhiminrighteousindig-
nation，andperceivedCaptainGilesintheve-
randahdoorwaysurveyingquietlythescene，hisownhandiwork，ifImayexpressitinthatway。
Hissmoulderingblackpipewasverynoticeableinhisbig，paternalfist。So，too，wastheglitterofhisheavygoldwatch-chainacrossthebreastofhiswhitetunic。Heexhaledanatmosphereofvirtu-
oussagacitysereneenoughforanyinnocentsoultoflytoconfidently。Iflewtohim。
"Youwouldneverbelieveit，"Icried。"Itwasanotificationthatamasteriswantedforsomeship。There’sacommandapparentlygoingaboutandthisfellowputsthethinginhispocket。"
TheStewardscreamedoutinaccentsoflouddespair："Youwillbethedeathofme！"
Themightyslaphegavehiswretchedforeheadwasveryloud，too。ButwhenIturnedtolookathimhewasnolongerthere。Hehadrushedawaysomewhereoutofsight。Thissuddendisappear-
ancemademelaugh。
Thiswastheendoftheincident——forme。
CaptainGiles，however，staringattheplacewheretheStewardhadbeen，begantohaulathisgor-
geousgoldchaintillatlastthewatchcameupfromthedeeppocketlikesolidtruthfromawell。
Solemnlyhelowereditdownagainandonlythensaid：
"Justthreeo’clock。Youwillbeintime——ifyoudon’tloseany，thatis。"
"Intimeforwhat？"Iasked。
"GoodLord！FortheHarbourOffice。Thismustbelookedinto。
Strictlyspeaking，hewasright。ButI’veneverhadmuchtasteforinvestigation，forshowingpeopleupandallthatnodoubtethicallymeri-
toriouskindofwork。Andmyviewoftheepisodewaspurelyethical。IfanyonehadtobethedeathoftheStewardIdidn’tseewhyitshouldn’tbeCaptainGileshimself，amanofageandstanding，andapermanentresident。Whereas，Iincom-
parison，feltmyselfamerebirdofpassageinthatport。Infact，itmighthavebeensaidthatIhadalreadybrokenoffmyconnection。ImutteredthatIdidn’tthink——itwasnothingtome……
"Nothing！"repeatedCaptainGiles，givingsomesignsofquiet，deliberateindignation。"Kentwarnedmeyouwereapeculiaryoungfellow。Youwilltellmenextthatacommandisnothingtoyou——andafterallthetroubleI’vetaken，too！"
"Thetrouble！"Imurmured，uncomprehending。
Whattrouble？AllIcouldrememberwasbeingmystifiedandboredbyhisconversationforasolidhouraftertiffin。Andhecalledthattakingalotoftrouble。
Hewaslookingatmewithaself-complacencywhichwouldhavebeenodiousinanyotherman。
Allatonce，asifapageofabookhadbeenturnedoverdisclosingawordwhichmadeplainallthathadgonebefore，Iperceivedthatthismatterhadalsoanotherthananethicalaspect。
AndstillIdidnotmove。CaptainGileslosthispatiencealittle。Withanangrypuffathispipeheturnedhisbackonmyhesitation。
Butitwasnothesitationonmypart。Ihadbeen，ifImayexpressmyselfso，putoutofgearmentally。ButassoonasIhadconvincedmy-
selfthatthisstale，unprofitableworldofmydis-
contentcontainedsuchathingasacommandtobeseized，Irecoveredmypowersoflocomo-
tion。
It’sagoodstepfromtheOfficers’HometotheHarbourOffice;butwiththemagicword"Com-
mand"inmyheadIfoundmyselfsuddenlyonthequayasiftransportedthereinthetwinklingofaneye，beforeaportalofdressedwhitestoneaboveaflightofshallowwhitesteps。
Allthisseemedtoglidetowardmeswiftly。Thewholegreatroadsteadtotherightwasjustamereflickerofblue，andthedimcoolhallswallowedmeupoutoftheheatandglareofwhichIhadnotbeenawaretilltheverymomentIpassedinfromit。
Thebroadinnerstaircaseinsinuateditselfundermyfeetsomehow。Commandisastrongmagic。
ThefirsthumanbeingsIperceiveddistinctlysinceIhadpartedwiththeindignantbackofCaptainGileswerethecrewoftheharboursteam-launchloungingonthespaciouslandingaboutthecur-
tainedarchwayoftheshippingoffice。
Itwastherethatmybuoyancyabandonedme。
Theatmosphereofofficialdomwouldkillanythingthatbreathestheairofhumanendeavour，wouldextinguishhopeandfearalikeinthesupremacyofpaperandink。IpassedheavilyunderthecurtainwhichtheMalaycoxswainoftheharbourlaunchraisedforme。Therewasnobodyintheofficeexcepttheclerks，writingintwoindustriousrows。
ButtheheadShipping-Masterhoppeddownfromhiselevationandhurriedalongonthethickmatstomeetmeinthebroadcentralpassage。
HehadaScottishname，buthiscomplexionwasofaricholivehue，hisshortbeardwasjetblack，andhiseyes，alsoblack，hadalanguishingex-
pression。Heaskedconfidentially：
"YouwanttoseeHim？"
Alllightnessofspiritandbodyhavingdepartedfrommeatthetouchofofficialdom，Ilookedatthescribewithoutanimationandaskedinmyturnwearily：
"Whatdoyouthink？Isitanyuse？"
"Mygoodness！Hehasaskedforyoutwiceto-
day。"
ThisemphaticHewasthesupremeauthority，theMarineSuperintendent，theHarbour-Master——averygreatpersonintheeyesofeverysinglequill-driverintheroom。Butthatwasnothingtotheopinionhehadofhisowngreatness。
CaptainEllislookeduponhimselfasasortofdivine（pagan）emanation，thedeputy-Neptuneforthecircumambientseas。Ifhedidnotactuallyrulethewaves，hepretendedtorulethefateofthemortalswhoseliveswerecastuponthewaters。
Thisupliftingillusionmadehiminquisitorialandperemptory。Andashistemperamentwascholerictherewerefellowswhowereactuallyafraidofhim。Hewasredoubtable，notinvirtueofhisoffice，butbecauseofhisunwarrantableassump-
tions。Ihadneverhadanythingtodowithhimbefore。
Isaid："Oh！Hehasaskedformetwice。ThenperhapsIhadbettergoin。"
"Youmust！Youmust！"
TheShipping-Masterledthewaywithamincinggaitaroundthewholesystemofdeskstoatallandimportant-lookingdoor，whichheopenedwithadeferentialactionofthearm。
Hesteppedrightin（butwithoutlettinggoofthehandle）and，aftergazingreverentlydowntheroomforawhile，beckonedmeinbyasilentjerkofthehead。Thenheslippedoutatonceandshutthedooraftermemostdelicately。
Threeloftywindowsgaveontheharbour。
Therewasnothinginthembutthedark-bluesparklingseaandthepalerluminousblueofthesky。Myeyecaughtinthedepthsanddistancesofthesebluetonesthewhitespeckofsomebigshipjustarrivedandabouttoanchorintheouterroad-
stead。Ashipfromhome——afterperhapsninetydaysatsea。Thereissomethingtouchingaboutashipcominginfromseaandfoldingherwhitewingsforarest。
ThenextthingIsawwasthetop-knotofsilverhairsurmountingCaptainEllis’smoothredface，whichwouldhavebeenapoplecticifithadn’thadsuchafreshappearance。
Ourdeputy-Neptunehadnobeardonhischin，andtherewasnotridenttobeseenstandinginacorneranywhere，likeanumbrella。Buthishandwasholdingapen——theofficialpen，farmightierthantheswordinmakingormarringthefortuneofsimpletoilingmen。Hewaslookingoverhisshoulderatmyadvance。
WhenIhadcomewellwithinrangehesalutedmebyanerve-shattering："Wherehaveyoubeenallthistime？"
AsitwasnoconcernofhisIdidnottaketheslightestnoticeoftheshot。IsaidsimplythatI
hadheardtherewasamasterneededforsomevessel，andbeingasailing-shipmanIthoughtI
wouldapply……
Heinterruptedme。"Why！Hangit！YOUaretherightmanforthatjob——iftherehadbeentwentyothersafterit。Butnofearofthat。Theyareallafraidtocatchhold。That’swhat’sthematter。"
Hewasveryirritated。Isaidinnocently："Arethey，sir。Iwonderwhy？"
"Why！"hefumed。"Afraidofthesails。
Afraidofawhitecrew。Toomuchtrouble。Toomuchwork。Toolongouthere。Easylifeanddeck-chairsmoretheirmark。HereIsitwiththeConsul-General’scablebeforeme，andtheonlymanfitforthejobnottobefoundanywhere。I
begantothinkyouwerefunkingit，too……"
"Ihaven’tbeenlonggettingtotheoffice，"I
remarkedcalmly。
"Youhaveagoodnameouthere，though，"hegrowledsavagelywithoutlookingatme。
"Iamverygladtohearitfromyou，sir，"Isaid。
"Yes。Butyouarenotonthespotwhenyouarewanted。Youknowyouweren’t。Thatstew-
ardofyourswouldn’tdaretoneglectamessagefromthisoffice。Wherethedevildidyouhideyourselfforthebestpartoftheday？"
Ionlysmiledkindlydownonhim，andheseemedtorecollecthimself，andaskedmetotakeaseat。HeexplainedthatthemasterofaBritishshiphavingdiedinBangkoktheConsul-Generalhadcabledtohimarequestforacompetentmantobesentouttotakecommand。
Apparently，inhismind，Iwasthemanfromthefirst，thoughforthelooksofthethingthenotifica-
tionaddressedtotheSailors’Homewasgeneral。
Anagreementhadalreadybeenprepared。Hegaveittometoread，andwhenIhandeditbacktohimwiththeremarkthatIaccepteditsterms，thedeputy-Neptunesignedit，stampeditwithhisownexaltedhand，foldeditinfour（itwasasheetofbluefoolscap）andpresentedittome——agiftofex-
traordinarypotency，for，asIputitinmypocket，myheadswamalittle。
"Thisisyourappointmenttothecommand，"hesaidwithacertaingravity。"Anofficialappoint-
mentbindingtheownerstoconditionswhichyouhaveaccepted。Now——whenwillyoubereadytogo？"
IsaidIwouldbereadythatverydayifneces-
sary。Hecaughtmeatmywordwithgreatalacrity。ThesteamerMelitawasleavingforBangkokthateveningaboutseven。Hewouldrequesthercaptainofficiallytogivemeapassageandwaitformetillteno’clock。
Thenherosefromhisofficechair，andIgotup，too。Myheadswam，therewasnodoubtaboutit，andIfeltacertainheavinessoflimbsasiftheyhadgrownbiggersinceIhadsatdownonthatchair。Imademybow。
AsubtlechangeinCaptainEllis’mannerbecameperceptibleasthoughhehadlaidasidethetridentofdeputy-Neptune。Inreality，itwasonlyhisofficialpenthathehaddroppedongettingup。