![the secret sharer spark notes the secret sharer spark notes](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347463365i/2738458._UY630_SR1200,630_.jpg)
Finding Koh-ring, what the captain believes to be an inhabited island, he sets the ship to come as close to the island as possible in order to give his double the best chance possible. As they get closer and closer to the rocky islands, the crew is surprised by the captain's decision but the captain attributes it to trying to take advantage of the land breezes. After settling on this course of events, the double proclaims that it is very nice that someone finally understands him.Īt midnight, the captain turned the ship around and headed towards land, much to his mate's surprise. In the end, he agrees but he argues that he should not leave until the night after because he will be able to get closer to the land. At first, the captain protests him leaving but realizes that this is merely selfish desire to have his double there. After this close call, approximately the fourth day the man had been on board, the double tells the captain that he must end this and he wishes to be marooned on the islands near the ship. The captain, naturally, is terrified of the steward's discovering the secret man in his quarters but because Leggatt was able to duck far enough into the bath tub to escape detection. One day, the steward went to the captain's room to hang up his coat in the bathroom. Discovery, however, hung like "swords above their heads" at all times, the biggest threat being the steward. For the most part, the "double" stayed in the captain's bathroom, dressed in the gray sleeping suit, for the majority of the day, because the two determined that this was the safest place. One day, the steward was surprised to see the captain near the pantry because he was sure that he had just heard him in his cabin. From there, during the sail there were certain scares on board. Excitedly, the captain rushes upstairs and launches the boat. With the conclusion of this conversation, the captain realizes that he can confide in no one on his ship.īefore the captain can find out much more from the stranger, a mate comes to tell him that there is enough wind for the ship to set sail. After he leaves, the mates tell the captain that they have heard of the horrid affair, it is worse than things they hear happen on Yankee ships. Disappointed, the captain leaves the ship and as he is going down the same ladder that Laggard ascended he stops, questions again, but then returns to his own ship. At this point in the two men's conversation, the captain takes Captain Archbold on a detailed search of the ship, staring with the bathroom and including every room on board. The captain then concedes that he must report a suicide, because there is no possible that the man could have reached land.įrom this point, Captain Archbold increased his questioning, pointing out that it was only approximately a two mile swim to the captain's boat. The captain then volunteers even more information, that he was not responsible for engaging the murderer and he never did like him. Trying once more, from a different angle, the captain volunteers that "you were very anxious to give up your mate to the shore people, I believe?" Indeed, Captain Archbold claimed, he was, to the law, after 37 virtuous years at sea he had some obligation. Trying to justify his doubles action, the captain volunteers "that reefed foresail save you." While the opposing captain concedes this, he also claims that it was not Leggatt's work but God's hand that helped him put the sail in the morning. In response, Captain Archbold sticks his tongue out at his host and claimed that if he had seen the sight, he would never forget it as long as he lived. After Captain Archbold recounts the details of the murder, the captain tries to justify the action, claiming that maybe the sea killed the man. The other skipper answers him, but in a muted voice and in order for his double to hear every word, the captain of the nameless ship tells his visitor that he is hard of hearing. Refusing the captain's offer of liquor, he accepts water and tells the captain "it's been tiring work - searching the islands around my ship." Politely and inquisitively, the captain inquires why. The narrator describes the other skipper as having thin red whiskers, and being almost afraid of what he was requesting. The second part of the book begins with the captain of the Sephora, Captain Archbold, coming aboard.