“De ship am gwine to sail at one o’clock, sah.”
“One o’clock!” came from all of the others. And then the boys looked at the professor inquiringly.
“Captain Sudlip told me he would sail at three o’clock,” said Professor Strong. “I asked him twice to make sure.”
“I ’spect he did, sah, but I heard him tell de mate dat dey must sail promptly at one o’clock, sah—dat he wouldn’t wait fo’ nobody, sah.”
“It’s a trick to leave us behind!” burst out Mark. “He has our money and that is all he cares.”
“But he told me three o’clock,” persisted the professor. “Although I have no witness to that fact!” he added, suddenly, a light breaking in on him.
“Then that is where he has us foul!” came from Frank. “It’s a good thing January told us this,” he continued, and gave the negro a grateful look.
“Tole yo’ I would do sumt’ing if I got de chance,” said the negro, with a grin.
“All aboard!” called the train porter.
“We are not going,” answered Professor Strong; and a minute later the train was off.