Carthew was referred to
more than once without embarrassment; the parallel case
of a late Earl of Aberdeen, who died mate on board a
Yankee schooner, was adduced. If they told me little
of the man, it was because they had not much to tell,
and only felt an interest in his recognition and pity
for his prolonged ill-health. I could never think the
subject was avoided; and it was clear that the
officers, far from practising concealment, had nothing
to conceal.
So far, then, all seemed natural, and yet the doctor
troubled me. This was a tall, rugged, plain man, on
the wrong side of fifty, already grey, and with a
restless mouth and bushy eyebrows: he spoke seldom, but
then with gaiety; and his great, quaking, silent
laughter was infectious. I could make out that he was
at once the quiz of the ward-room and perfectly
respected; and I made sure that he observed me
covertly. It is certain I returned the compliment. If
Carthew had feigned sickness--and all seemed to point
in that direction--here was the man who knew all--or
certainly knew much.
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