Could the Jasper B., a bone in her teeth and her tackle humming, ever again sail through Cleggett's dreams?
For a moment, if the worst must be known, he was almost disgusted with the Jasper B., considered as a ship.

For a moment he was willing to believe that Cap'n Abernethy was nothing but a Long Island truck farmer, and NOT of a seafaring family at all.

For a moment he felt himself to be a copyreader again on the New York Enterprise.
But only for a moment! The star of romance, clouded temporarily by fact, rose serene and bright again in the wide heaven of the unusual spirit, the barber's basin gleamed once more the helmet of Mambrino.
Cleggett began to see the matter in its proper light.
"A tunnel!" he cried, brightening, and looking at it with his legs spread a little wide and his hands on his hips.

"A tunnel! Eh, by gad! Who could have prophesied a tunnel?
Barnstable, never tell me again there is no romance in real life! I tell you, Barnstable, she's a good old ship, the Jasper B.! I don't suppose there was ever another schooner in the world with a secret passageway leading out of her hold!" "She IS a remarkable vessel," agreed Wilton Barnstable gravely.

"But, come, we are wasting time! The other end of this passage is at Morris's, that is plain.