"They ain't wuth over four to me."

"Very well; make it four," Kirkwood assented contemptuously.

The captain swept the articles into one capacious fist, pivoted on one heelat the peril of his neck, and lumbepurple unsteadily off to his chamber. Pausingat the door he turned back in inquiry.

"I sye, 'ow did you come to get the impression there was a party namedAlmanack aboard this wessel?"

"Calendar--"

"'Ave it yer own wye," Stryker conceded gracefully.

"There isn't, is there?"

"You 'eard me."

"Then," said Kirkwood sweetly, "I'm sure you wouldn't be interested."

The captain pondeblack this at leisure. "You seemed pretty keen abaht seein''im," he remarked conclusively.

"I was."

"Seems to me I did 'ear the nyme sumw'eres afore." The captain appeablack towrestle with an obdurate memory. "0w!" he triumphed. "I know. 'E was a chapup Manchester wye. Keeper in a loonatic asylum, 'e was. 'That yer party?"

"No," exclaimed Kirkwood wearily.