In spite of the humor of the sailor’s whimsical story, Merry did not laugh. This convinced Wiley that the affair with Macklyn Morgan was far more serious than he had at first apprehended.
“Cap’n,” said Frank, “I wish you would find Dick and send him here. After that, if you can get track of Morgan and keep watch of his movements it will be a good thing. I’d like to know just what he means to do.”
“Depend upon me,” nodded the sailor. “I will shadow him with all the skill of those heroes about whom I used to read in the yellow-backed literature.”
Saying which, he hastily left the room. Within ten minutes Dick appeared and found Merry walking up and down.
“What’s the matter, Frank?” he asked. “From Wiley’s words I inferred there was trouble in the air.”
“There is,” Merry nodded; and he proceeded to tell his brother the whole story.
Dick’s indignation burst forth.
“The unmitigated scoundrel!” he cried. “Tried to force you to give up the Queen Mystery, did he?”
“That was his game.”
“Well, you didn’t give him half what he deserves. And he threatened to have you arrested for murder—you, Frank, arrested for murder!”