“If that’s the case, then good-by to Merwell and Jasniff,” murmured Phil. “We’ll never catch them in the wide world.”
CHAPTER XVII—MEETING OLD FRIENDS
“They may have gone on some other vessel,” remarked Roger, after a pause. “Let us find out what other ships have left here during the past few days.”
“Say,” said Phil, to the elderly shipping-clerk. “Maybe you know my father or some of the captains working for him. His name is Lawrence, of the Lawrence Lines.”
“Indeed!” cried the shipping-clerk. “Well, of course I know him! Are you Phil Lawrence?” he questioned, eagerly.
“I am.”
“Now isn’t that strange!” The man put out his hand. “I don’t suppose you know me. My name is Sam Castner. I was once a supercargo for your father, on the Arvinus. You took a trip in her with your mother, when you were about ten years old,—down to Tampa and back, from Philadelphia.”
“That’s right, so I did!” cried the shipowner’s son. “I remember you now. We went fishing together.”
“So we did, Mr. Lawrence. My, how you’ve grown since then!” added the former supercargo, as he gazed at Phil’s tall and well-built form.
“Mr. Castner, we are in a hurry, and maybe you can help us a good deal,” went on Phil. “We are after two fellows who we think sailed in that schooner, or bark, or some vessel that left here within the past two days. They were young fellows, not much older than us boys. Will you aid us in getting on their track?”