And why should I not confess that my curiosity was aroused?
I felt that there was something mysterious about this sullen mariner, and I should have liked to find out what it was.
That day, Atkins wanted to know whether Captain Len Guy had made himself less disagreeable.

I had to acknowledge that I had been no more fortunate in my negotiations than my host himself, and the avowal surprised him not a little.

He could not understand the captain's obstinate refusal.

And--a fact which touched him more nearly--the Green Cormorant had not been visited by either Len Guy or his crew since the arrival of the _Halbrane_.

The men were evidently acting upon orders.