He crossed the road, pushed open the door, and found himself in a low-ceilinged office, with a long counter at one end and a great number of wooden sections of ships stuck upon boards and plastered all over the walls.
"Is Mr.Henry in ?" asked the Admiral.
"No, sir," answered an elderly man from a high seat in the corner.

"He has not come into town to-day.

I can manage any business you may wish seen to." "You don't happen to have a first or second officer's place vacant, do you ?" The manager looked with a dubious eye at his singular applicant.
"Do you hold certificates ?" he asked.
"I hold every nautical certificate there is." "Then you won't do for us." "Why not ?" "Your age, sir." "I give you my word that I can see as well as ever, and am as good a man in every way." "I don't doubt it." "Why should my age be a bar, then ?" "Well, I must put it plainly.

If a man of your age, holding certificates, has not got past a second officer's berth, there must be a black mark against him somewhere.

I don't know what it is, drink or temper, or want of judgment, but something there must be." "I assure you there is nothing, but I find myself stranded, and so have to turn to the old business again." "Oh, that's it," said the manager, with suspicion in his eye.