"I suppose I did, but that's a small matter. There were twenty other lives in danger. And what is one man's life when there is a duty to be done? We've all got to die sometime." Captain Hallam did not utter the thought that was in him. That thought was: "Well, of all the queer men I have ever had to deal with, you are certainly the queerest! Still, I think I understand you, and that's queerer still." Instead of speaking he sipped his coffee. Then he rose and "tickled the denunciator." That was his phrase for ringing for a servant. "Put some more wood on the fire," he commanded when the servant came. "I've put it all on, a'ready," answered the man. "Well, bring some more." "It'll be extry charge, sir." "Never mind that," said Captain Hallam. "Do as you are told, and when the thing is over I'll issue a loan, raise some money, and pay the bill. You know who I am, don't you?" "No, sir. You see, I've just come to Cairo." "Very well, then. Go to the office of the hotel and tell the people there that Captain Will Hallam is ordering more wood than you think he can pay for. They'll tell you what to do. In the meantime, here's a quarter for you." This by-play with the serving man relieved Captain Hallam of a sense of embarrassment which he felt in approaching the next thing he had in mind. "What do you want, Duncan, for last night's work?" Duncan looked at his companion for half a minute before answering. Then he said: "I want that tug captain of yours discharged." "Why?" "Because he's a coward and an utterly unfit man. Human life may depend upon his courage at any moment, and he has no courage." "Is that _all_ you want?" "Yes. That's all." "Why don't you demand an increase in your salary? Anybody else would. But, perhaps you don't care for a bigger salary? You're a queer sort, you know." "Oh, yes; I care very much for an increase," answered Duncan. "Then why didn't you seize upon the opportunity to ask for it?" "Must I tell you, frankly?" "I wish you would. It might help me to understand you." "Well, it is simple enough. You gave me employment when I was desperately in need of it. I should be an ingrate if I did not consider your interests in all that I do. I think I ought to have a larger salary than you are now paying me. I think I earn it, and it has been my purpose to ask for it when the proper time should come." "Then why haven't you been in a hurry to ask for it now? There couldn't be a better time."