Mr. Willing nodded.
“I will promise for myself and the others,” he said.
“Very well, sir. What I would say is this: Take my advice, and under no circumstances sail on the Yucatan to-morrow!”
Mr. Willing gazed at the young man in perfect amazement, as did the others in the room. Mr. Willing was the first to regain his composure.
“Why?” he asked quietly.
“I can’t go into explanations,” replied the young man hurriedly; “all I can do is warn you that it is not safe.”
“And why isn’t it safe?” asked Shirley, now taking a hand in the conversation.
“That I cannot tell you, either. But you all know that a state of war exists between the countries of Europe.”
“What has that to do with us?” asked Shirley.
“You are asking me hard questions,” said Bristow, “and I cannot answer as I would like to. Let it be enough that there is danger because of it. And if there should even be no danger aboard the Yucatan, it will exist in Colon.”