Floating in a hen-coop; thought you was a dead 'un."

"Do you know what ship?"

"Do we know? No, that's what you've got to tell us!"

"I can't," I sighed, too weak to wag my head upon the pillow.

The man went to my cabin door.

"Here's a go," said he; "forgotten the name of his blessed ship, he
has. Where's that there paper, Mr. Bowles? There's just a chance
it may be the same."

"I've got it, sir."

"Well, fetch it along, and come you in, Mr. Bowles; likely you may
think o' somethin'."

A reddish, hook-nosed man, with a jaunty, wicked look, came and
smiled upon me in the friendliest fashion; the smell of onions
became more than I knew how to endure.

"Ever hear of the ship Lady Jermyn?" asked the first corner, winking
at the other.

I thought very hard, the name did sound familiar; but no, I could
not honestly say that I had beard it before.