Page:On to Pekin.djvu/138

116 "The commander is waiting only for some additional despatches," answered Gilbert, coldly.

"Then we are to leave Nagasaki as soon as he gets them?"

"So I have been informed."

"I am glad of it. I don't like this hot hole at all," growled Nickerson. "It's worse than Manila."

"I reckon you'll find China hotter still," said Gilbert.

"I hope not."

"By the way, we made a curious mistake in your name," went on Nuggy, looking straight out to sea as he spoke. "We thought it was Lieutenant Gilbert, while we've learned since that it is Lieutenant Gilbert Pennington. You'll pardon us, I'm sure."

"Of course," said Gilbert, and looked pointedly at Nuggy and then at Nickerson, both of whom avoided his gaze. "It doesn't amount to anything, anyway."

"I'm glad you look at in that light, lieutenant. Some people are awfully particular about names, you know," continued Nuggy.

He wished to say more,—to bring around the statement that he had known the Penningtons years