Frank did not stop to buy any marketing, but hastily catching up his
basket, he hurried back to the vessel.

"Orderly," he exclaimed, as he approached the marine who always stood at
the cabin door, "ask the captain if I may see him."

"He hasn't got up yet, sir."

"That makes no difference. Tell him that I have something particular to
say to him."

The orderly went into the cabin, and, in a few moments, returned, and
said:

"The captain says walk in, sir."

"Captain," said Frank, after he had closed the door carefully behind him,
"have you lost your signal-book?"

"No, I guess not;" answered the captain, in a tone of surprise. "What
makes you ask?"

"I heard, a few moments ago, that it had been stolen from you."

"I have not had occasion to use it for two or three weeks," answered the
captain, getting out of bed; "but I know exactly where I put it;" and he
opened a drawer in the sideboard, and commenced to overhaul the contents.

"Set me down for a landlubber," he exclaimed, at length, "if it hasn't