So he told them that he had entered in his notebook, for quick consultation should the occasion arise, his nephew’s most distinctive physical features as enumerated by the cook in her letter. During the stoker’s insufferable rantings, he had pulled out the notebook simply to distract himself, and had begun for his own amusement to compare the cook’s descriptions, which were naturally not those of a professional detective, with Karl’s appearance. “And that’s how to find a nephew!” he concluded proudly, as if he wanted to be congratulated all over again.

“What will happen to the stoker now?” asked Karl, ignoring his uncle’s last remarks. In his new circumstances he thought he was entitled to say whatever came into his mind.

“The stoker will get what he deserves,” said the Senator, “and what the Captain considers to be right. I think we have had enough, more than enough of the stoker, a view in which every gentleman here will certainly concur.”

“But that’s not the point in a question of justice,” said Karl. He was standing between his uncle and the Captain, and, perhaps influenced by his position, thought that he was holding the balance between them.

And yet the stoker seemed to have abandoned hope. He had thrust his hands halfway into the belt of his trousers, which together with a strip of checked shirt had come prominently into view during his excited tirade. That did not worry him in the least; he had displayed the misery of his heart, now they might as well see the rags that covered his body, and then they could drag him away. He had concluded that the attendant and Schubal, as the two least important men in the room, would do him that last kindness. Schubal would have peace then and no longer be driven to desperation, as the Head Purser had put it. The Captain could take on crowds of Rumanians; Rumanian would be spoken all over the ship; and then perhaps things would really improve. There would be no more stoker to pester the head office with his ravings, yet his last outburst would be remembered almost fondly, since, as the Senator expressly declared, it had been the indirect cause of his recognizing his nephew. The nephew himself had several times tried to help him and thus had already more than repaid him for his services in the recognition scene; it did not even occur to the stoker to ask anything more from him now. Besides, even if he were the nephew of a senator, he was far from being a captain yet, and it was from the Captain’s mouth that the dire verdict would fall. And having reached these conclusions, the stoker did his best not to look at Karl, though unfortunately in that roomful of enemies there was no other resting-place for his eyes.

“Don’t misinterpret the situation,” said the Senator to Karl, “this may be a question of justice, but at the same time it’s a question of discipline. On this ship both of these, and most especially the latter, are entirely within the discretion of the Captain.”

“That’s right,” muttered the stoker. Those who heard him and understood smiled uneasily.

“But we have already obstructed the Captain for too long in his official duties, which must be piling up considerably now that he has reached New York, and it’s high time we left the ship, instead of adding to our sins by interfering quite unnecessarily in this petty quarrel between two mechanics and thus making something important of it. I understand your attitude perfectly, my dear nephew, but that very fact justifies me in hurrying you away from here immediately.”

“I shall have a boat lowered for you at once,” said the Captain, without for a moment taking exception to the Senator’s words, which surprised Karl greatly, since his uncle could be said to have humbled himself. The Head Purser rushed hastily to his desk and telephoned the Captain’s order to the boatswain.

“There’s hardly any time left,” Karl told himself, “but I can’t do anything without offending everybody. I really can’t desert my uncle now, just when he’s found me. The Captain is polite, certainly, but that’s all. When it comes to discipline, his politeness disappears. And my uncle certainly told him what he felt. I don’t want to speak to Schubal; I’m sorry that I even shook hands with him. And all the other people here are of no consequence.”

With these thoughts in mind he slowly went over to the stoker, pulled the man’s right hand out of his belt and held it playfully in his.

“Why don’t you say something, dear friend?” he asked. “Why do you put up with everything?”

The stoker merely knitted his brow, as if he were seeking the right words for what he had to say. While doing this he looked down at his own hand and Karl’s.

“You’ve been treated unjustly, more than anyone else on this ship; I am positive of that.” And as Karl drew his fingers back and forth between the stoker’s, the stoker gazed around with shining eyes, as if blessed by a great happiness that no one could begrudge him.

“Now you must get ready to defend yourself, answer yes and no, or else these people won’t have any idea of the truth. You must promise me to do what I tell you, for I’m afraid, and with good reason, that I won’t be able to help you anymore.” And then Karl burst out crying and kissed the stoker’s hand, taking that rough and almost lifeless hand and pressing it to his cheek like a treasure that he would soon have to give up.—But now his uncle the Senator was at his side and gently yet firmly led him away.

“The stoker seems to have bewitched you,” he said, giving the Captain a knowing look over Karl’s head. “You felt lonely, then you found the stoker, and you’re grateful to him now; that’s all to your credit, I’m sure. But if only for my sake, don’t push things too far, learn to understand your position.”

Outside the door a hubbub had arisen, shouts could be heard; it sounded even as if someone were being brutally pushed against the door.