There was another person on board whose mind was disturbed by
Rovinski. This was Mr. Marcy, the Assistant Engineer, an active,
energetic fellow, filled with ambition and love of adventure, and
one of the most hopeful and cheerful persons on board. He had
never heard of Rovinski, and did not know that there was anybody
in the world who was trying to benefit himself by fraudulent
knowledge of Mr. Clewe's discoveries and inventions, but he hated
the Pole on his own account.

The man's countenance was so villainous that it was enough of
itself to arouse the dislike of a healthy-minded young fellow
such as Marcy; but, moreover, the Pole had habits of sneaking
about the vessel, and afterwards retiring to quiet corners, where
he would scribble in a pocket notebook. Such conduct as this in
a man whose position corresponded with that of a common seaman on
an ordinary vessel, seemed contrary to discipline and good
conduct, and he mentioned the matter to Mr. Gibbs.

"I suppose the man is writing a letter to his wife," said the
latter. "You would not want to hinder him from doing that, would
you?"

And to this no good answer could be made.

The Pole never took notes when Sammy was anywhere where he could
see him, and if Mr. Marcy had reported this conduct to the old
man, it is likely that Rovinski would speedily have been deprived
of pencils and paper, and his real character made known to the
officers.