Sliding from the settle, and impatiently commanding the clerk to open the gate in the railing, he led his caller through the main office and into a small room beyond.

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.