Page:Richard Marsh--The joss, a reversion.djvu/241

Rh thoughts I fancy we’ll untie you. Pray tell us, Mr. Luke, where’s the Great Joss now?”

Mr. Luke was stretching his limbs, gingerly, apparently finding the process anything but an agreeable one.

“That’s—what I—want to know,” he mumbled.

“No? Is that so? you done too? Poor Luke! how sad to think your confidence should have been misplaced. It’s a treacherous world.” The captain turned to me. “Mr. Paine, I believe you are the only person who can give us precise information as to the present whereabouts of the Great Joss.”

“I?”

I stared at him amazed.

“Yes, you. I’ll tell you why I think so.”