“Yes, but if your memory is so good, perhaps you can recall that old Takyak was hinting around about some kind of a treasure when we were interrupted,” said Bobby. “Do you remember that after the circus we saw him talking to a man who looked like a sea captain—Say!” he exclaimed, as another idea struck him. “Haven’t any of you fellows any memory at all?”
“What do you mean?” asked Billy, in an injured tone. “If I didn’t have a better memory than you, I’d jump over the side and end my misery.”
But Bobby was too excited to take any notice of this remark.
“The man we saw talking to Takyak that day is Captain Garrish, the master of this vessel!” he said, and sat back to allow this statement to soak into the others.
Fred was just about to say something in reply, when the negro, who had been out to the galley during this conversation, returned, and the boys kept their own counsel for the rest of the meal. When it was finished they went up on deck and picked out a quiet corner where they could talk without being overheard.
“Bobby, I believe you’ve got the right idea,” said Fred, excitedly. “It looks to me as though we were maybe embarked on a treasure hunt. Maybe Hen Lemming and his gang did us a favor, after all.”
“It may be so. But still I’ve got to be shown,” said Mouser. “I still think that you’re getting excited over nothing. Maybe Takyak was just talking to the captain about taking passage home when we saw them together on the circus grounds.”
“Huh!” exclaimed Fred, contemptuously. “I suppose you think the captains of ocean-going ships go round drumming up passengers like the chauffeur of a sightseeing bus, don’t you? Maybe you think that Takyak got him to come to the circus to talk over the first cabin accommodations for walruses!”
“Oh, lay off,” returned Mouser. “Maybe you’re right, but a fellow has a right to his own opinion, hasn’t he?”
“Not when it’s such a foolish one,” said Fred, but Bobby interposed with a laugh.