"And that was a bad omen?"
"Bad! It was—ah—er—frightful! Old sailors will tell you that. Always—er—let a cat remain on board a vessel—if—she—comes on board. If you—if you do not—you will regret it."
"And you think something must happen to this steamer?"
"I'm afraid so—I feel it. There is—something mysterious about the vessel, gentlemen. I don't know—just what it is—but it's something. The—the captain looks worried. I—I've noticed it. I've talked with him. Couldn't get any satisfaction—out of him. But I—I know!"
"I'm afraid you are a croaker," said Diamond, unable to keep still longer.
"You may think so—now; but wait and see—wait. Keep your eyes—open. I—I think you will see something. I think you will find there are—mysterious things going on."
"Well, you have not told us what you want of us, Mr. Slush," said Frank.
"That's so—forgot it." Then, of a sudden, to Bruce: "Don't twirl your thumbs—that way. Do it backward—backward! It—it's a sure sign of—disaster to twirl your thumbs—forward."
"All right," grunted the big fellow; "backward it is." And he reversed the motion.
"Thank you," breathed Mr. Slush, with a show of relief. "Now, I'll tell you—why I called. I—er—saw a young man—leaving this room—a few minutes ago."