ander of the
_Mary Ellen_. "I beg your pardon! Won't you walk this way?"

"We are on a little tour of inspection," the manager went on. "These are
some of my principle moving picture actors, and I want them to get
familiar with the ship. And, Captain Brisco, this is an old salt who
will be with us. He is to be second mate, I believe. Jack Jepson, let me
present you to Captain Brisco."

A strange look came over the old salt's face. He stepped forward and
burst out with:

"I guess I've met Captain Brisco before, but that wasn't his
name--then!"

Captain Brisco started back as though a shot had been fired near him.

CHAPTER VII

JEPSON IS WORRIED

For an instant only did the commander of the _Mary Ellen_ show signs of
perturbation. He recovered himself with an effort, hardly obvious to the
moving picture girls who were watching. It was as though a cloud had
passed over the sun so quickly as to give an observer no time to glance
up and see it, before the shadow was gone. Then Captain Brisco smiled.

"I think you've made a mistake, my man," he said, with the air of one
used to commanding. "I'm sure I don't know you, whether or not you think
you have had the pleasure of my acquaintance. How about it?"

He turned a sharp look on Jack Jepson, and the latter faltered.

"Well--well, maybe I am mistaken," he said slowly. "But I sure did take
you for an old shipmate of mine. I sure did--an old shipmate," and he
spoke the words slowly.

"For instance--who?" asked Captain Brisco, and the words seemed to come
out like the closing of the jaws of a steel trap.

"Oh--er--you wouldn't know if I told you," said Jack. "I guess I was
mistaken," he added.

"And I'm sure of it," Captain Brisco said, coolly. "I don't know many in
these parts, for I've been away for some time. And--er--who might you
be?" he asked, with more of that commanding air.

"This is the sailor who will be one of your mates on our little trip,"
explained Mr. Pertell. "You said you would need officers, even for a
short voyage such as we intend making, so I picked up Jack Jepson. Do
you think he'll do?"

"Depends on how much he knows of navigation," was the sharp answer.

"Oh, I have my certificate," Jack answered. "If you want t' see it I
have it----"

"Never mind now," interposed Captain Brisco. "There are a thousand and
one things to do, and nothing seems to be going right. Lay aloft there,
some of you!" he cried to a group of men. "Get thos