"Where will you put me?" he asked, presently. "I must be put somewheres, dear boy."

     "To sleep?" said I.

     "Yes. And to sleep long and sound," he answered; "for I've been sea-tossed and sea-washed, months and months."

     "My friend and companion," said I, rising from the sofa, "is absent; you must have his room."

     "He won't come back to-morrow; will he?"

     "No," said I, answering almost mechanically, in spite of my utmost efforts; "not to-morrow."

     "Because, look'ee here, dear boy," he said, dropping his voice, and laying a long finger on my breast in an impressive manner, "caution is necessary."

     "How do you mean? Caution?"

     "By G----, it's Death!"

     "What's death?"

     "I was sent for life. It's death to come back. There's been overmuch coming back of late years, and I should of a certainty be hanged if took."