"I wish to see him on a matter of the utmost importance.
Is he dressed ?" "He is; he dressed himself this morning, and sits up part of the time." "Then you will oblige me by getting him into the cabin; I mean my cabin.
I will be there in ten minutes." The surgeon went below, leaving the commander and Christy together.
"Can you make anything of this affair yet, Mr.Passford ?" asked Captain Battleton.
"I can come to no conclusion in regard to it, though I may be able to do so when I have seen my double," replied Christy, whose curiosity in regard to the sick officer was strongly excited.

"It looks like a conspiracy of some kind, but I can go no farther in the direction of a solution." The commander looked at his watch after they had conversed a little while longer, and then invited Christy to visit his cabin with him.
The other Lieutenant Passford was seated in an arm-chair at the table.
Christy looked at him with the deepest interest, but the back of the other was turned to him, and he did not get a full view of his face.

The sick man was dressed in the naval uniform with the shoulder straps of a lieutenant.
"I wish to introduce a gentleman to you; Lieutenant Passford, let me make you acquainted with Lieutenant Passford," said the commander as he led the way into the captain's cabin.
"Thank you, Captain Battleton; I shall be very happy to make the acquaintance of Lieutenant Passford," said the occupant of the cabin, rising as he spoke, and approaching Christy.

"Corny Passford!" exclaimed the sick officer.

"I did not expect to see you here.