'E must've come aboard by
the engine-room gangway, sir, and climbed into that locker near
the barber shop."
The problem of stowaways is familiar enough to shipmasters. "Send
him up to me," said the Captain.
A few minutes later Gissing appeared, escorted by a burly
quartermaster. Even the experienced Captain admitted to himself
that this was something new in the category of stowaways. Never
before had he seen one in a braided cutaway coat and wedding
trousers. It was true that the garments were in grievous
condition, but they were worn with an air. The stowaway's face
showed some embarrassment, but not at all the usual hangdog mien
of such wastrels. Involuntarily his tongue moistened when he saw
the tray of tea (for he had not eaten since his supper on the
steam roller the night before), but he kept his eyes politely
averted from the food. They rose to a white-painted girder that
ran athwart the cabin ceiling. CERTIFIED TO ACCOMMODATE THE
MASTER he read there, in letters deeply incised into the thick
paint.
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