“Don’t wonder!  Why weren’t you aboard sooner last night?  I saw you—­’most got left, eh?  Served you right if you had.”  Then his voice dropped to the confidential:  “I’d advise you to cut out those women.  Don’t misunderstand me, boy, but they’re a bad lot on this boat.  I saw you come aboard.  Take my word for it—­they’re a bad lot.  Cut ’em out.  Guess I’ll step inside and see what’s up with Dextry.”

The girl shrank into her corner, gazing apprehensively at the other listener.

“Well—­er—­he isn’t up yet,” they heard Glenister stammer; “better come around later.”

“Nonsense; it’s time he was dressed.”  The master’s voice was gruffly good-natured.  “Hello, Dextry!  Hey!  Open up for inspection.”  He rattled the door.

There was nothing to be done.  The old miner darted an inquiring glance at his companion, then, at her nod, slipped the bolt, and the captain’s blue bulk filled the room.

His grizzled, close-bearded face was genially wrinkled till he spied the erect, gray figure in the corner, when his cap came off involuntarily.  There his courtesy ended, however, and the smile died coldly from his face.  His eyes narrowed, and the good-fellowship fell away, leaving him the stiff and formal officer.

“Ah,” he said, “not feeling well, eh?  I thought I had met all of our lady passengers.  Introduce me, Dextry.”

Dextry squirmed under his cynicism.

“Well—­I—­ah—­didn’t catch the name myself.”

“What?”

“Oh, there ain’t much to say.  This is the lady—­we brought aboard last night—­that’s all.”

“Who gave you permission?”

“Nobody.  There wasn’t time.”

“There wasn’t time, eh?  Which one of you conceived the novel scheme of stowing away ladies in your cabin?  Whose is she?  Quick!  Answer me.”  Indignation was vibrant in his voice.

“Oh!” the girl cried—­her eyes widening darkly.  She stood slim and pale and slightly trembling.

His words had cut her bitterly, though through it all he had scrupulously avoided addressing her.

The captain turned to Glenister, who had entered and closed the door.

“Is this your work?  Is she yours?”

“No,” he answered quietly, while Dextry chimed in: 

“Better hear details, captain, before you make breaks like that.  We helped the lady side-step some sailors last night and we most got left doing it.  It was up to her to make a quick get-away, so we helped her aboard.”

“A poor story!  What was she running away from?” He still addressed the men, ignoring her completely, till, with hoarse voice, she broke in: