Claude waited impatiently in his stateroom for the doctor’s return.  He didn’t see why the Chief Steward shouldn’t be exposed and dealt with like any other grafter.  He had hated the man ever since he heard him berating the old bath steward one morning.  Hawkins had made no attempt to defend himself, but stood like a dog that has been terribly beaten, trembling all over, saying “Yes, sir.  Yes, sir,” while his chief gave him a cold cursing in a low, snarling voice.  Claude had never heard a man or even an animal addressed with such contempt.  The Steward had a cruel face,—­white as cheese, with limp, moist hair combed back from a high forehead,—­the peculiarly oily hair that seems to grow only on the heads of stewards and waiters.  His eyes were exactly the shape of almonds, but the lids were so swollen that the dull pupil was visible only through a narrow slit.  A long, pale moustache hung like a fringe over his loose lips.

When Dr. Trueman came back from the hospital, he declared he was now ready to call on Mr. Micks.  “He’s a nasty looking customer, but he can’t do anything to me.”

They went to the Chief Steward’s cabin and knocked.

“What’s wanted?” called a threatening voice.

The doctor made a grimace to his companion and walked in.  The Steward was sitting at a big desk, covered with account books.  He turned in his chair.  “I beg your pardon,” he said coldly, “I do not see any one here.  I will be—­”

The doctor held up his hand quickly.  “That’s all right, Steward.  I’m sorry to intrude, but I’ve something I must say to you in private.  I’ll not detain you long.”  If he had hesitated for a moment, Claude believed the Steward would have thrown him out, but he went on rapidly.  “This is Lieutenant Wheeler, Mr. Micks.  His fellow officer lies very ill with pneumonia in stateroom 96.  Lieutenant Wheeler has kept him alive by special nursing.  He is not able to retain anything in his stomach but eggs and orange juice.  If he has these, we may be able to keep up his strength till the fever breaks, and carry him to a hospital in France.  If we can’t get them for him, he will be dead within twenty-four hours.  That’s the situation.”

The steward rose and turned out the drop-light on his desk.  “Have you received notice that there are no more eggs and oranges on board?  Then I am afraid there is nothing I can do for you.  I did not provision this ship.”

“No.  I understand that.  I believe the United States Government provided the fruit and eggs and meat.  And I positively know that the articles I need for my patient are not exhausted.  Without going into the matter further, I warn you that I’m not going to let a United States officer die when the means of saving him are procurable.  I’ll go to the skipper, I’ll call a meeting of the army officers on board.  I’ll go any length to save this man.”

“That is your own affair, but you will not interfere with me in the discharge of my duties.  Will you leave my cabin?”