On the glass pane of the door
was lettered, "Mr. Dunn--Private." A roll-top desk in the corner and
three chairs were the furniture. Malcolm, after closing the door,
sprawled in the swing chair before the desk, threw one leg over a
drawer, which he pulled out for that purpose, and motioned his companion
to occupy one of the other chairs.
Captain Elisha took the offered chair and dropped his hat on the floor
beside it. Then he inspected the room and its furnishings with interest.
Dunn drew out a pocket case, extracted a cigarette, lit it, and waited
for him to speak.
"Well," observed the young man, after a moment, "what's the trouble,
Admiral? Better get it off your chest, hadn't you? We're private enough
here."
The captain answered the last question. "Yes," he said, "this is nice
and private. Got a stateroom all to yourself; name on the door, and
everything complete. You must be one of the officers of the craft."
"Yes."
"Um-hm. I sort of expected to find your name on the door outside, but
there 'twas, 'Smith, Haynes & Co.' I presume likely you're the 'Co.'"
"_I_ 'presume likely,'" with mocking impatience. "What about that
private matter?"
Captain Elisha did not appear to hear him. His eyes were fixed on
several photographs stuck in the rail of Mr.
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