"Because it's dangerous; you was such a fool yesterday as to allow the boy on deck when the officer was there, and he couldn't help noticing him."
"But they didn't speak to each other, and if the officer had suspected anything he would have showed it."
"Maybe he would and maybe he wouldn't; you must know that the boy's photograph has been scattered over the country, and he is likely to be recognized by any countryman."
"How are you making out with the negotiations?"
"It all looks well enough, if you don't spoil it by your tomfoolery. I should not have been surprised to find you had allowed him to go ashore to look around a little. You must leave here to-morrow morning. You ought to start to-night."
"I can do so if you wish it," said the sailor, rather sulkily.
"It might draw suspicion to you. No, you can wait till daylight, and then be off."
"It shall be done."
"We have managed to throw everybody off the scent pretty well. They seem to have all sorts of theories except the right one. It has got into the newspapers, of course. Some think the boy has been taken to England, others that he is in the South, and others have sworn that he has been seen in company with a man and woman in Canada; but no one imagines as yet that he is on board the schooner Simoon, in the Delaware."
"How have you made out in your correspondence with the guardians?"