"I've just heard that there's a mistake about your ticket," the
new-comer began. "It is made out to 'Mr. Jefferson Locke,' but the
doctor says you insist your name is something else."
"That's right. My name is Anthony."
"Then how did I get this ticket?"
"I'm sure I don't know."
"Have you any baggage?"
"I don't know."
"What is your destination?"
"I don't know. You'll pardon my limited vocabulary?"
"Are you joking?"
"Do I look as if I were?"
"But I don't understand."
"Neither do I. But I must have some luggage--a fellow wouldn't make a
trip like this without baggage, would he?"
"I should think not. I'll look it up for you if you wish. But about
this ticket--"
"My dear man, don't bother me with that. I have worries enough as it
is. What I want now is a clean shirt and collar."
"Yes, but this ticket says--"
"Please! Look at my linen. I'll create a scandal this way."
"Mr. Locke--"
"Anthony."
"Very well, Mr. Anthony. I must straighten out this ticket affair.
Really, I must."
"All right, straighten away."
"If you are not Mr. Locke, it is no good."
"Hurrah! Put me off."
"You don't understand--the ticket is good, but--See here, there's
something mighty strange about this. You say your name isn't Locke, you
have no baggage, you even thought this ship was a hotel--"
"I did. It was a great disappointment. And now I want a shirt." Anthony
began to laugh. "Funny, isn't it?"
"You will have to buy another ticket," said the purser, with dignity.
"A bright idea!" Kirk smiled grimly; then, turning his pockets wrong
side out, continued lightly: "You look me over and if you can find the
price of a ticket I'll give you half."
"Then you have lost your money as well as your baggage and your
identity?"
"So it would seem."
"Impossible!"
It was plain that the officer was growing angry, so Kirk made haste to
say:
"Now let's be friends, at least. By-the-way--pardon the personal nature
of the question--but--what size shirt do you wear?"
"Seventeen."
"Saved! Let me have about six, will you?"
"Certainly NOT," returned the other. "I need all I have."
"Miser! Then you must help me find some one my size."
The purser, however, seemed in no mood to go shirt-hunting, and backed
out of the door, saying: "I'll have a look for your baggage,
Mr.--Anthony, and I'll see the captain about this ticket, also. I don't
know whether you're making fun of me or not, but--I'll look you up
later."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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