"No," Laura assured him. "I saw the man, saw him just as plainly as I see
you now."
"Do you know," the Captain persisted, "that Mr. Quest and Mr. Harris have
searched every nook and corner of the ship? They have had an absolutely
free hand, and my own steward has been their guide. They have seen every
man, boy, woman and animal amongst my crew or passengers."
"They've been fooled somehow," Laura muttered.
The Captain frowned. He was on the point of a sharp rejoinder when he met
Laura's eyes. She was smiling very faintly and there was something in her
expression which changed his whole point of view.
"I'll go and make a few enquiries myself," he declared. "See you at
dinner-time, I hope, young ladies."
"If you keep her as steady as this," Laura promised, "there are hopes."
He disappeared along the deck, and presently re-entered his room, where
Harris and Quest were waiting for him. He was followed by his steward, an
under-sized man with pallid complexion and nervous manner. He closed the
door behind him.
"Brown," he said, turning to the steward, "I understand you to say that
you have taken these gentlemen into every corner of the ship, that you
have ransacked every possible hiding-place, that you have given them every
possible opportunity of searching for themselves?"
"That is quite true, sir," the man acknowledged.
"You agree with me that it is impossible for any one to remain hidden in
this ship?"
"Absolutely, sir."
"You hear, gentlemen?" the Captain continued.
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