In this case, however, her choice almost cost me the vessel, and perhaps our lives into the bargain." "You knew nothing of him previously ?" "Nothing." "And he engaged the crew ?" I asked.
"Of course." "Are they all fresh hands ?" "All except the cook and the two stewards." I was silent.

I did not like Mackintosh.

Indeed, I entertained a distinct suspicion of both master and crew.
"The captain seems to have had a nasty cut across the cheek," I remarked, whereupon my two companions again exchanged quick, apprehensive glances.
"He fell down the other day," explained Chater, with a rather sickly smile, I thought.

"His face caught the edge of an iron stair in the engine-room, and caused a nasty gash." I smiled within myself, for I knew too well that the ugly wound in the captain's face had never been inflicted by falling on the edge of a stair.

But I remained silent, being content that they should endeavor to mislead me.
After dessert had been served we rose, and in the summer twilight, when all the ports were opened, Hornby took me over the vessel.