He had been less fortunate than Mr.Sturge in his encounter with the Captain, whom he had interrupted in the act of retiring to slumber.
"One moment, sir," he had begun, confidently enough.

"The accomplished _artiste_ to whose representations you have been good enough to listen, has told you--so far as he is concerned--the simple truth.

To a certain extent I can corroborate him.

But I beg you to understand that he and I--if I may employ a nautical phrase--are not in the same boat." "Who the devil may _you_ be ?" Captain Crang interposed.
"That, sir," answered the Major with dignity, "is precisely what I propose to explain.

By an accident I find myself without a visiting-card; but my name, sir, is Hymen--Major Hymen, sir--of the Troy Volunteer Artillery (better known to you, perhaps, as the Gallants), and Chief Magistrate of that ancient and picturesque little borough." Captain Crang stared at him for a moment with lowered brows and jaw working as if it chewed the cud of his wrath.
"Look here," he replied.