Hostile darkness surrounded me; I smelt the faint bitter-almonds tang of cyanide. Uneasy tales of the sea blew through my mind, like a sudden cold draught in an old house. It occurred to me that the Lotus, like the _Marie Celeste,_ had been freshly abandoned by her terrified crew, or was manned with lost souls from the _Flying Dutchman._ I shivered.

A light, an oil lantern, sprung into mid air in front of me. A voice behind it snapped:

''Op it!'

I jumped back, hitting the door with my head.

'Get the 'ell out of it, Charlie,' the voice continued, coming nearer.

'I-I'm a member of the crew,' I managed to say.

The light advanced on me. Behind it two eyes stared with concentrated suspicion.

'The new doctor,' I explained humbly.

The voice at once took on a friendly inflection.

'Sorry Doc! I thought you was trying to pinch something.'

'No…I just came aboard. There didn't seem to be anyone about. I hope it was all right?'

'Sure, it's all right. Liberty Hall, this hooker. Make yourself at home. Spit on the deck and call the cat a bastard.'

'Thank you.'

'Glad you've come, Doc,' he continued affably. 'I've got a bit of a cold like.' He sneezed to add point to the remark. 'Could you give us something for it?'

'Yes, certainly…But wouldn't a bit later do? I'm extremely wet. I'd like to find my cabin and so forth.'

'Sure, Doc. Follow me. I'll take you to see the Mate.'

He walked off, the lamp swinging high in his hand. I stepped timidly behind him, along narrow alleyways, round sharp corners, up unidentifiable ladders.