“The weather is fine,” I said; “why should we not be heard of at our destination?”
“I didn’t say we shouldn’t be heard of at our destination. No doubt we shall in the course of time; but that is not where we shall be heard of first.”
“Where, then?” asked Dick.
“That you will never know. Suffice it that a rapid and mysterious agency will signal our whereabouts, and that before the day is out. Ha, ha!” and he chuckled once again.
“Come on deck!” growled his comrade; “you have drunk too much of that confounded brandy-and-water. It has loosened your tongue. Come away!” and taking him by the arm he half led him, half forced him out of the smoking-room, and we heard them stumbling up the companion together, and on to the deck.
“Well, what do you think now?” I gasped, as I turned toward Dick. He was as imperturbable as ever.
“Think!” he said; “why, I think what his companion thinks—that we have been listening to the ravings of a half-drunken man. The fellow stunk of brandy.”
“Nonsense, Dick! you saw how the other tried to stop his tongue.”
“Of course he did. He didn’t want his friend to make a fool of himself before strangers. May be the short one is a lunatic, and the other his private keeper. It’s quite possible.”
“Oh, Dick, Dick,” I cried; “how can you be so blind? Don’t you see that every word confirmed our previous suspicion?”