He swore, sticking now hotly to his purpose.

His mutter: "I hope you will be satisfied, confound you," was addressed to the absent Tom.

Just then the doors gave way and flew open.
He was there.
He--the trusty, sagacious, and courageous Tom was there, drawn up shadowy and stiff, in a prudent silence, which his wide-open eyes by their fixed gleam seemed to command Byrne to respect.

But Byrne was too startled to make a sound.

Amazed, he stepped back a little--and on the instant the seaman flung himself forward headlong as if to clasp his officer round the neck.