All that encouraged me was the sight of Roger Hamlin, and I
suspected that he attended uninvited, for he came into the cabin from his
stateroom at the same moment when I came down the companionway, and there
was no twinkle now in his steady eyes.
Captain Falk glanced at him sharply. "Well, sir?" he exclaimed testily.
"I have decided to join you, sir," Roger said, and calmly seated himself.
For a moment Falk hesitated, then, obviously unwilling, he assented with a
grimace.
"Lathrop," he said, turning to me, "you were present when Hayden died, and
also you had helped care for him previously. Mr. Kipping has written a
statement of the circumstances in the log and you are to sign it, Here's
the place for your name. Here's a pen and ink. Be careful not to blot or
smudge it."
He pushed the big, canvas-covered book over to me and placed his finger on
a vacant line. All that preceded it was covered with paper.
"Of course," said Roger, coldly, "Lathrop will read the statement before
signing it." He was looking the captain squarely in the eye.
Falk scowled as he replied, "I consider that quite unnecessary."
"A great many of the ordinary decencies of life seem to be considered
unnecessary aboard this ship.
Pages:
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149