Captain Beaumont introduced him. "This is Dr. Hurst. He has come to
report. Well, doctor? I hope you bring good news."

Dr. Hurst came forward to the table, still looking very attentively at
Saltash.

The latter's odd eyes challenged him with royal self-assurance. "Well?
What is the news?" he questioned. "Fished for a sprat and caught a
whale--or is it t'other way round?"

The doctor cleared his throat and turned to the captain. "Yes, my report
is good on the whole," he said. "None of the men are seriously injured,
thanks to your prompt rescue measures. Captain Larpent is still
unconscious; he is suffering from concussion. But I believe he will
recover. And--and--" he hesitated, looking again at Saltash--"the--the
person whose life you saved--"

Saltash leaned back in his chair, grinning mischievously. "To be sure!
The person--whose life I saved! What of that person, Dr. Hurst?"

"Had you a passenger?" interrupted the captain. "I understood you saved a
cabin-boy."

"Pray continue!" he said lightly. "What of the cabin-boy? None the worse,
I hope?"

The doctor's lank figure drew together with a stiff movement of distaste.
"I see," he said, "that you are aware of a certain fact which I must
admit has given me a somewhat unpleasant surprise."