Almost it threw me off my guard,
but remembering in the nick of time that I was still "Jim":
"Of course I remember you, Cap'n," I said. "Step inside."
"Thanks," he replied, and followed me into the little room.
I placed for him the arm-chair which our friend the fireman had
so recently occupied, but:
"I won't sit down," he said.
And now I observed that he was evidently in a condition of
repressed excitement. Perhaps he saw the curiosity in my glance,
for he suddenly rested both his hands on my shoulders, and:
"Yes, I have given up the dope, Jim," he said---"done with it for
ever. There's not a soul in this neighbourhood I can trust, yet
if ever a man wanted a pal, I want one to-day. Now, you're
square, my lad. I always knew that, in spite of the dope; and if
I ask you to do a little thing that means a lot to me, I think
you will do it. Am I right?"
"If it can be done, I'll do it," said I.
"Then, listen. I'm leaving England in the Patna for Singapore.
She sails at noon to-morrow, and passengers go on board at ten
o'clock. I've got my ticket, papers in order, but"--he paused
impressively, grasping my shoulders hard--"I must get on board
to-night."
I stared him in the face.
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