Doctor Syn; a Smuggler Tale of the Romney Marsh

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1915 edition. Excerpt: ...for at least a quarter of a minute before he said: "You most remarkable man! A King's captain, eh? I vow you have mistaken your calling." And he deliberately and with the flat of his white hand patted the captain's rough cheek, patted it as though the captain were a child being petted or a puppy being teased. "What the thunder do you mean?" roared the infuriated officer, "by calling? Mistake my calling?" "Your profession," said Doctor Syn, calmly putting on his cloak and hat. "What would you have me then?" cried the seaman. "I wouldn't have you any other than what you are, sir," replied Doctor Syn, with his hand on the door latch--"a thoroughly entertaining and vastly amusing old seadog, mahogany as a dinner wagon, and loaded with so many fancies as to be creaking near the breaking point." The captain was so taken aback with the extraordinary manner of the Doctor that he could only look and gasp. Doctor Syn, perfectly at ease, opened the door. "I wonder?" he said in a low voice, almost tenderly, Jerry thought. The captain, with a great effort, managed to ejaculate, "What?" "Why your mother sent you to sea, for as an apothecary--an apothecary--aye, yes, indeed, what a magnificent analyzing apothecary the world has missed in you, sir." And to the captain's amazement and Jerry's astonishment the vicar went out, closing the door behind him. The captain could do nothing but stare at the closed door, while Jerry, perceiving nothing entertaining in that, stared at the captain, who suddenly exploded out in his great sea voice: "An apothecary, an analyzing apothecary! What in the devil's name does he mean by that?" Jerry still looked at...