There is no place for you in the ward room, and it does not appear that you are an officer." "I shall find no fault with my accommodations, whatever they are," replied Christy.
"I must object to your wearing the shoulder straps of a lieutenant on board of the Vernon," added Captain Battleton.
"I have a plain frock in my valise which I wore when the Teaser was captured," added Christy with a smile.

"I will remove my coat and wear that." "Now I will see where I can find a place for you to berth," said the captain as he left the cabin.
"I am sorry you did not explain the blank paper in your envelope, Mr.
Passford," said the surgeon, as they were leaving the cabin.
"I cannot explain it--how can I ?" replied Christy.

"Whoever took out my papers and put the blanks in their place, did not make me his confidant in the operation." "But can you not recall some event or circumstance which will throw some light on the mystery ?" persisted Dr.Connelly.
"I can; but I have not had time to consider any events or circumstances, and it would not be treating Captain Battleton with proper respect to submit a string of crude conjectures to him." At this moment the captain appeared in the gangway, and interrupted the conversation.

He informed the prisoner of war, as he chose to regard him, that he had directed the carpenter to put up a temporary berth for him.

Christy opened his valise, and took from it his frock, which he put on after he had disposed of his coat.