"No very difficult matter, I suppose," I answered quite coolly. "Only I should like to point out that even though you may be skipper of this coal hulk, you have no right to imprison me here." "I shall do just as I like, cocky," he responded. "And further, you'd best be quiet and keep a still tongue, or perhaps you won't see land again." "That's certainly a very genteel speech," I said; "and perhaps the British Consul at your port of destination will have something to say regarding your conduct." "I don't care a brass button for all the blanked consuls in the whole Consular Service," he replied, with a coarse laugh. "You are on board my ship, and I'll give you to understand now, once and for all, that I'm master here." "Perhaps you'll pipe to a different tune when your master's certificate is suspended for a year or two." "It 'ud take a better man than you to suspend it. While you're on board this craft, it'll be a wise policy to keep a still tongue in your head." "And it will be wiser if you allow me my liberty, and just tell me how and why I came aboard here." "You were brought here, but for what reason I don't know." "And who brought me here?" "I don't know. I wasn't on board when you arrived." "The ship was lying in the Thames, wasn't it?" "Yes," he answered. "It wasn't on Clapham Common, that's a certainty." "And where are we now?" "At sea." "I'm aware of that, but in what sea--the Channel, the North Sea, or the Atlantic?" "You'll know soon enough. Just breathe the ozone, and make yourself comfortable. That's all you have to do," he responded, with his bearded chin thrust forward, in an air of unconcern. "Well, you haven't provided many creature comforts for me," I remarked, with a glance round the stuffy little place. "No, this isn't exactly a Cunarder," he admitted. "But I'll tell the men to bring you some grub, at any rate. Like some duff?" "You're very kind; but I'd rather take a walk on deck in order to get an appetite." "No; the sun's a bit too strong," he answered waggishly. "You might get sunstroke, you know." "I shall be asphyxiated if I remain here." "Well, that's a comfortable death, I believe. More than one chap has died for want o' breath in the hold of this ship when we've been trimmin' coal." "Then you refuse me my liberty?" I said, feeling that to argue pleasantly was useless. "Yes, you've got to stay 'ere." "By whose orders?" "That's my own business," he growled. "And mine also," I responded firmly. "You may be skipper of this craft, but you are not a gaoler, you know." "I'm your gaoler, at any rate." "That remains to be seen," I answered. "I suppose you've been paid to take me out of the country, like this; but I may as well warn you that you are aiding and abetting a murder, and that when you get ashore you'll find yourself in a very nasty position."