Thank you, admiral." Word came that the congressman would be down in a few moments.

The captain beguiled the interval by leaning on the rail and regarding the clerk with an awed curiosity that annoyed its object exceedingly.

The inspection was still on when a tall man, of an age somewhere in the early thirties, walked briskly up to the desk.
"Who is it that wants to see me ?" he asked.
The clerk waved a deprecatory hand in Captain Cy's direction.

The newcomer turned.
"My name is Everdean," he said.

"Are you--hey ?--Great Scott! Is it possible this is Captain Whittaker ?" The captain was immensely pleased.
"Well, I declare, Ed!" he exclaimed.