"Perhaps they'll kill us."
"We can sound Captain Langless—it won't do any harm."
"But you mustn't let the Baxters get an inkling of what is up."
For the present the captain was not in sight, having retired to the stern to consult Arnold Baxter upon several points. They remained on deck until noon, when the cook called them to dinner in the cabin. They found they were to dine with Captain Langless.
"I asked the Baxters to join us, but they declined," he observed, as they sat down. "Now I am not so high-toned."
"You mean you are not such a fool," returned Dick. "For myself, I am glad they are staying away. My meal would be spoiled if I had to eat with them."
"They are very bitter against you, that's certain," went on the owner of the schooner smoothly. "They want me to do all sorts of mean things. But I have declined. I am playing a game with them, but I want to do it as becomes a man."
Dick looked around, to see that no outsider was within earshot. "Why do you play the game with them, Captain Langless?" he whispered.
The owner of the schooner frowned.
"Well, one must make a living, if you want an answer," he returned shortly.