"There's Eri," said Captain Jerry. Then he added in an alarmed whisper,
"Who on airth has he got with him?"

They heard their friend's voice warning someone to be careful of the top
step, and then the chamber door opened and Captain Eri appeared. There
were beads of perspiration on his forehead, and he was carrying a shabby
canvas extension-case. Captain Jerry gazed at the extension-case with
bulging eyes.

Captain Eri put down the extension-case and opened the door wide. A
woman came in; a stout woman dressed in black "alpaca" and wearing
brass-rimmed spectacles. Captain Jerry gasped audibly.

"Dr. Palmer," said Captain Eri, "let me make you acquainted with Mrs.
Snow of Nantucket. Mrs. Snow, this is Dr. Palmer."

The Doctor and the lady from Nantucket shook hands, the former with a
puzzled expression on his face.

"Perez," continued the Captain, "let me make you known to Mrs.
Snow--Mrs. Marthy B. Snow,"--this with especial emphasis,--"of
Nantucket. Mrs. Snow, this is Cap'n Perez Ryder."

They shook hands; Captain Perez managed to say that he was glad to meet
Mrs. Snow. Captain Jerry said nothing, but he looked like a criminal
awaiting the fall of the drop.

"Doctor," continued the Captain, paying no attention to the signals of
distress displayed by his friend, "I heard you say a spell ago that