Conrad begins stressing the idea that Leggatt is, in certain important ways, the Captain's double. His use of what is commonly called the doppelganger theme serves to highlight the qualities that the Captain lacks by showing them embodied in his double. Leggatt's being dressed in one of the Captain's sleeping suits and hiding in his cabin suggests their relationship in physical terms, but Conrad suggests their bond in many other ways as well: both men are young, both hold (or, in Leggatt's case, held) posts of importance that they acquired through their "connections", both are "Conway boys", both are isolated from their respective crews, both save a ship during a dangerous event, and both eventually strike out for "new destinies." Each man offers something to his double: the Captain offers Leggatt a place to hide and his eventual means of escape, while Leggatt forces the Captain, through his assistance in helping him at Koh-ring, a chance to prove his seamanship in the eyes of the crew.