To put matters beyond all doubt, the shrill laugh of a girl was plainly audible.

The captain's face hardened, and, crossing to the fireplace, he rang the bell.
"Yessir," said Joseph, as he appeared and closed the door carefully behind him.
"What are you talking to yourself in that absurd manner for ?" inquired the captain with great dignity.
"Me, sir ?" said Mr.Tasker, feebly.
"Yes, you," repeated the captain, noticing with surprise that the door was slowly opening.
Mr.Tasker gazed at him in a troubled fashion, but made no reply.
"I won't have it," said the captain, sternly, with a side glance at the door.

"If you want to talk to yourself go outside and do it.

I never heard such a laugh.

What did you do it for?
It was like an old woman with a bad cold." He smiled grimly in the darkness, and then started slightly as a cough, a hostile, challenging cough, sounded from the kitchen.