Page:MacGrath--The luck of the Irish.djvu/329

 The four turned upon him abruptly and rather resentfully. They were English. Hidebound in their dislike and suspicion of all things which did not conform with routine, they instantly looked upon William as an impertinent bounder. But William's bold front and good clothes dissipated their first impression that he might be a beach-comber. One of the officers saw him for exactly what he was, an idle tourist. He decided in this instance to discount formality in favor of common-sense.

"You are an American, I fancy?"

"I am, and I'm an expert plumber. Couldn't help overhearing your talk. I've nothing to do, so I thought I might be able to help you out. It's dull between boats, and Raffles's isn't a lively joint just now. And I know something about the insides of a ship."

Which was perfectly true. Like all skilled mechanics, William was of an investigating trend. He could pass a Corregio or a Titian without a thrill; but a piece of strange machinery hypnotized him. Due to the friendliness of the Ajax's chief engineer, William had familiarized himself with that marvelous network of pipes which sprawls hither and yon between the decks of all big sea-going steamers until he knew them as the lines in his palm. So he was not throwing his dice blindly.

The chief engineer—for William recognized his stripes—looked at his watch. After all, the situation was quite as unusual as this young man's