The Dark Star

"You appear to enjoy the affair?"

"I do. I've never had such a good time. I'm not going to spoil it by

suggesting that you lock up anybody, either."

"I'm sorry you feel that way," said the captain seriously.

"But I do. They're friends of mine. They've given me the time of my

life. A dirty trick I'd be serving myself as well as them if I came to

you and preferred charges against them!"

The captain inspected him curiously for a few moments, then, in a soft

voice: "By any chance, Mr. Neeland, have you any Irish blood in your veins?"

"Yes, thank God!" returned the young fellow, unable to control his

laughter. "And I'll bet there isn't a drop in you, Captain West."

"Not a drop, thank G--I'm sorry!--I ask your pardon, Mr. Neeland!"

added the captain, very red in the face.

But Neeland laughed so hard that, after a moment, the red died out in

the captain's face and a faint grin came into it.

So they shook hands and said good night; and Neeland went away,

leaving his box on the floor of the captain's cabin as certain of its

inviolability as he was of the Bank of England.