Lady Victoria, who was not without tact, and had guessed that Margaret had something to say to the Doctor, managed meanwhile to keep her brother occupied by asking him questions about the exploit, and he, falling into the trap, had begun to tell the story from the beginning, speaking loud, by way of showing Claudius his appreciation.
But Claudius, recking little of his laurels, went and sat in his cabin, pondering deeply.

Barker, from a distance, had witnessed the conversation between Margaret and the Doctor.

He came up murmuring to himself that the plot was thickening.

"If Claudius makes a corner in mast-heads, there will be a bull market," he reflected, and he also remembered that just now he was a bear.

"In that case," he continued his train of thought, "no more mast-heads." "Good morning, Countess; Lady Victoria, good morning," he said, bowing.
"I would take off my hat if I could, but the Doctor has set the cap of liberty on high." Lady Victoria and the Duke laughed, but Margaret said "Good morning" without a smile.