"
"But wait. What is it we have here?"
Lanyard, scrutinising the deck with the flashlamp, stooped, picked up
something, and offered it on an outspread palm upon which he trained
the clear electric beam.
"Cigarette stub?" Monk said, and sniffed. "That's a famous find!"
"A cigarette manufactured by the French Regie."
"And well stepped on, too," Phinuit observed. "Well, what about it?"
"Who that uses this part of the deck would be apt to insult his palate
with such a cigarette? No one of us--hardly any one of the officers or
stewards."
"Some deck-hand might have sneaked aft for a look-see, expecting to
find the quarterdeck deserted at this hour."
"Even ordinary seamen avoid, when they can, what the Regie sells under
the name of tobacco. Nor is it likely such a one would risk the
consequences of defying Captain Monk's celebrated discipline."
"Then you believe it was Popinot, too?"
"I believe you would do well to make the search you have promised
thorough and immediate."
"Plenty of time," Monk replied wearily. "I'll turn this old tub inside
out, if you insist, in the morning.
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