He looked up.
The two card-players with whom he had had some argument were lolling over the rail, their faces turned in quite another direction and talking earnestly.
“Hi!” said Timothy.
They were deaf, it appeared, for they still continued their discussion. A deck hand was passing with a crate load of oranges; one fell out and Timothy picked it up. The attention of Messrs. Chelwyn and Brown was still directed elsewhere, and with a little swing of his arm Timothy sent the orange upon its swift and unerring course. It caught the red-haired man square in the side of the face and burst, and he jumped round with an oath.
“You’ve dropped your bucket,” said Timothy sweetly. “Shall I throw it at you or will you come down and get it?”
The man said something violent, but his companion pulled him away, and Timothy went to look for a seat with peace in his heart.
CHAPTER XVII
THE train was crowded, but he secured a corner seat in one of the cell-like compartments. It was empty when he entered, but immediately after, to his surprise, Brown and Chelwyn followed him in and deposited their goods upon three seats that they might in the manner of all experienced travellers, occupy breathing space for three at the cost of two tickets.
They took no notice of Timothy until the train drew out and he wondered what their game was. It was hardly likely that they would start any rough work with him after their experience of the morning and less likely because these boat trains were well policed.
Clear of the Riverside Station the smooth Englishman leant forward.