CHAPTER XVIII
THE MAJOR HAS A FURTHER INSPIRATION
The captain, who was puffing at his pipe, appeared serious. “I don’t like the looks of this thing at all,” he muttered, reaching in his pocket for the letter.
“But what did he say? Tell us quick!” cried Marcia. “We’ve been nearly crazy there in the kitchen waiting to have Cecily go so we could hear what he says!”
“Well, I’m glad she did go first,” acknowledged the captain, “for somehow I wouldn’t care to have her hear just yet what the major has to say. He thinks— But I’ll read his letter, and you can understand what I mean. Here it is:
“About the Chinese name first. The one you sent does certainly have a familiar sound to me, especially the last two syllables. I distinctly remember that the name Jack Carringford was called by ended in
