Stobell.
"Of course, you got away in the other boat," said Tredgold, nervously,
when he had finished.
Brisket looked round shrewdly, his wits hard at work. Already the
advantages of adopting a story which he supposed to have been concocted
for the benefit of Captain Bowers were beginning to multiply in his ready
brain.
"And didn't see us owing to the darkness," prompted Tredgold, with a
glance at Mr. Joseph Tasker, who was lingering by the door after bringing
in some whisky.
"You're quite right, sir," said Brisket, after a trying pause. "I didn't
see you."
Unasked he took a chair, and with crossed legs and folded arms surveyed
the company with a broad smile.
"You're a fine sort of shipmaster," exclaimed the indignant Captain
Bowers. "First you throw away your ship, and then you let your
passengers shift for themselves."
"I am responsible to my owners," said Brisket. "Have you any fault to
find with me, gentlemen?" he demanded, turning on them with a frown.
Tredgold and Chalk hastened to reassure him.
"In the confusion the boat got adrift," said Brisket. "You've got their
own word for it. Not that they didn't behave well for landsmen: Mr.
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