"
Kirk shook his head languidly. "Once more I tell you there is
nothing doing."
The officer broke out with some heat: "If you are joking, you've
carried this thing far enough. If you are really strapped, as you
say you are, how does it happen that you are occupying the best
suite on the ship?"
"It is a long story."
"Humph! You will have to give up those quarters and go forward."
"Why? You have your money for that ticket?"
"Yes, but you're not Mr. Locke."
Kirk smiled meditatively. "How do you know?" he queried.
"Good heavens! You've told me so a dozen--"
"Ah! Then you have nothing except my word. Well, sir, now that I
come to think it over, I believe my name is Locke, after all." He
grinned. "Anyhow, I love my little room and I think I'll keep it.
Please don't be peevish. I want you to do me a favor." He removed
the ring from his finger, and, handing it to the Purser, said "I
want you to get me two diamonds' and a ruby's worth of shirts and
collars; and also a safety razor. My mind has stopped working, but
my whiskers continue to grow."
The officer managed to say with dignity: "You wish to raise money
on this, I presume? Very well, I'll see what can be done for you,
Mr. Locke." As he turned away, Kirk became conscious that the
woman in the next chair had let her book fall and was watching him
with amused curiosity.
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