“What for?”
“Just to see how a boat is painted. I may want to do such a job myself some day.”
“Well, I’m sorry, but you can’t see her,” replied Carney decidedly.
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t want anybody fooling around. I’ve been mighty particular over the work, and I don’t want it spoilt.”
“I won’t touch a thing.”
“Oh, I know all about that! I ain’t going to have no finger-marks all over the gun’ale and the gold lines.”
I turned and looked at the mast, which was all I could now see of the hidden craft. If my memory served me rightly it was the exact counterpart of the one belonging to the Catch Me. The man was plainly lying, and had my property in his possession.
“Well, I’m coming ashore, anyway,” I returned; and I jumped from the sloop to the rocks.