"Yes; you may look," said the skipper, with sudden ferocity. "This is
all your doing. Where are you going?"

He caught the mate by the coat as he was making for the ladder, and
hauled him back again.

"You'll go when I've finished with you," he said, grimly. "Now, what do
you mean by it? Eh? What do you mean by it?"

"That's all right," said the mate, in a soothing voice. "Don't get
excited."

"Look at me!" said the skipper. "All through your interfering. How dare
you go making inquiries about me?"

"Me?" said the mate, backing as far as possible. "Inquiries?"

"What's it got to do with you if I stay out all night?" pursued the
skipper.

"Nothing," said the other, feebly.

"What did you go to the police about me for, then?" demanded the skipper.

"Me?" said the mate, in the shrill accents of astonishment. "Me?
I didn't go to no police about you. Why should I?"

"Do you mean to say you didn't report my absence last night to the
police?" said the skipper, sternly.