"Why doesn't Mr. Weatherby come?" thought Nat.
"You will be relieved of your duties in the purser's office," went on Captain Marshall. "Mr. Bumstead, will you, as a favor to me, allow your nephew to help Mr. Dunn for the remainder of the voyage?"
"Yes, sir. I think he will be glad to do it. Will you not, Sam?"
"Certainly," was the answer, and the red-haired youth did not try to conceal the satisfaction he felt.
"Then you may consider yourself discharged," said the commander to Nat. "I will put you ashore at the next port."
"What's that?" exclaimed a voice, and those in the cabin looked up to see Mr. Weatherby standing in the doorway. "Nat discharged! What's it all about? I tried to get here sooner, but I had to make up some records, and they took longer than I calculated. Is the investigation all over, captain?"
"It is, and I am sorry to say I had to decide against Nat. I believe he had the cigarettes and gave Sam some to smoke in that part of the ship where they are forbidden. I don't know that he smoked himself, but he might as well have done so as to induce another."
"I don't believe Nat did anything of the kind," said the pilot.
"I'm sorry I can't agree with you," responded the commander. "I have relieved him from his duties and put Sam temporarily in his place. He leaves the ship at the next port."
"He does, eh?" said Mr. Weatherby. "Then all I've got to say is that if he goes, I go too!"