Captain Salt led the way indoors and up a rickety staircase to the right, on the first landing of which they found two pages in waiting.
"Say that Captain Salt desires to see his Majesty." One of the pages tapped at the door, and, having delivered the message, commanded them to enter.

The place in which Tristram now found himself was a low-browed room, smelling highly of sawdust and stale tobacco.

It was bisected by a long table of clean white deal, at the end of which were seated three gentlemen whose attire bespoke a considerable estate.

All three looked up as the pair entered, and in the centre our hero at once recognised his Majesty, with the Earl of Marlborough upon his left hand, and upon his right a general of a plain but shrewd and honest countenance, who glanced at Captain Salt for a moment and resumed the writing upon which he was engaged.
King Willliam set down the bundle of papers that he had been conning with a sour expression, as if tasting bad wine, and ordered the Captain to come forward, which he did, with a profound salute.
"I have examined the lists, Captain Salt.

They tally with other information which my admirals and generals have been able to give me; though, as they have not your advantages, their knowledge is of necessity scantier." Beneath his words there lurked a contempt which made the Captain wince.
"Your Majesty, I have endeavoured to do my duty--such as it is." "You say well.