We made our way on board, and he spoke to one of the stewards, who conducted us to the saloon.

I knew from the expression of the man's face that the words we had overheard were but too true; it was a mere glance that he gave us, yet if he had said aloud, "They belong to that old drunkard! Thank heaven I'm not in their shoes!" I could not have better understood what was in his mind.
There were three persons only in the great saloon: an officer's servant, whose appearance did not please me; a fine looking old man with grey hair and whiskers, and a rough-hewn honest face, apparently the ship's doctor; and a tall grizzled man in whom I at once saw a sort of horrible likeness to Derrick--horrible because this face was wicked and degraded, and because its owner was drunk--noisily drunk.

Derrick paused for a minute, looking at his father; then, deadly pale, he turned to the old doctor.

"I am Major Vaughan's son," he said.
The doctor grasped his hand, and there was something in the old man's kindly, chivalrous manner which brought a sort of light into the gloom.
"I am very glad to see you!" he exclaimed.

"Is the Major's luggage ready ?" he inquired turning to the servant.