When I left the cabin after my interview with Captain Hannock I knew not what to do. I was unwilling to leave the vessel with the promise that I would not prosecute him for what had been done to me, and, on the other hand, I did not care particularly to stay on board if the Spitfire should continue her journey.
Of course I knew Mr. Ranson would stop the schooner at New Bedford if he could, and have the captain, Lowell and Crocker arrested for conspiracy to defraud. But there might be some slip, and I wished to take no chances.
Had I had the London letter that had been taken from me I should not have cared what Captain Hannock wished me to do, but watched my chances, and gone ashore at the first opportunity.
Where the letter was I could not imagine, excepting that it might be in the cabin or the captain's stateroom.
One thing was certain. Whatever happened I must regain the letter. Personally it was to me of greater importance than the exposure of what was going on aboard the schooner.
I walked aft and discovered the lawyer in conversation with Tony Dibble.
"I suppose you have been to see the captain," said Mr. Ranson with a peculiar smile.
"Yes, sir, I have;" and I related the result of the interview.
"I had a talk with him about your case," went on the lawyer. "But I did not think he would get around it in this fashion. Well, I will see that you get through all right."
"I wouldn't care, excepting for that letter," I returned.