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V

           Ultimatelyeveryhitchintheportcameintohishandstoundo.Theywouldmisshimwhenhewasgoneinanothereighteenmonths,andmostlikelysomeretirednavalofficerhadbeenpitchforkedintotheappointment—amanthatwouldunderstandnothingandcareless.ThatsteamerwasacoastingcrafthavingasteadytradeconnectionasfarnorthasTenasserim;butthetroublewasshecouldgetnocaptaintotakeheronherregulartrip.Nobodywouldgoinher.Hereallyhadnopower,ofcourse,toorderamantotakeajob.Itwasallverywelltostretchapointonthedemandofaconsul-general,but...

           “What’sthematterwiththeship?”CaptainWhalleyinterruptedinmeasuredtones.

           “Nothing’sthematter.Soundoldsteamer.Herownerhasbeeninmyofficethisafternoontearinghishair.”

           “Isheawhiteman?”askedWhalleyinaninterestedvoice.

           “Hecallshimselfawhiteman,”answeredtheMaster-Attendantscornfully;“butifso,it’sjustskin-deepandnomore.Itoldhimthattohisfacetoo.”

           “Butwhoishe,then?”

           “He’sthechiefengineerofher.Seethat,Harry?”

           “Isee,”CaptainWhalleysaidthoughtfully.“Theengineer.Isee.”

           Howthefellowcametobeashipowneratthesametimewasquiteatale.Hecameoutthirdinahomeshipnearlyfifteenyearsago,CaptainEliottremembered,andgotpaidoffafterabadsortofrowbothwithhisskipperandhischief.Anyway,theyseemedjollygladtogetridofhimatallcosts.Clearlyamutinoussortofchap.

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