Harry Collingwood

A Chinese Command Harry Collingwood

Book Excerpt: ...d or two with you.'"Naturally, Dick, I was a little astonished," proceeded Murray, "but I must confess that I had become vastly interested in the little man, and, as offers of employment sometimes come from the most unlikely sources, like a drowning man clutching at a straw I determined to hear what he had to say. Possibly it might lead to something; and in any case I felt that I should do no harm by listening to him."`I think I can spare you a few minutes, ' I remarked. `What is it you wish to see me about?'"`You're a seaman, aren't you?' he said, answering my question with another."`Yes, ' I replied, `I am.'"`Navy man, too, unless I'm much mistaken, ' was his next remark."`Well, ' I said, rather hesitatingly, `I was a Navy man--a lieutenant-- not so very long ago, but I had the misfortune to lose my ship under circumstances for which, I must say, in justice to myself, I think I was hardly to blame. However, the members of the court martial took a different view of