“It’s the very same hand,” declared the lad, “and that hand is a dead give away! I wonder he didn’t wear a glove or bandage!”
“Maybe he didn’t have time when he got the package,” explained Jack. “Can anyone tell me how the thing got into our kits?”
This question was unanswerable by any of the lads. Puzzling over the strange adventures they had recently encountered the lads proceeded to their hotel, where they spent some time in freshening both themselves and their uniforms and in rearranging their baggage.
At supper time they were tired and very hungry. At the first opportunity they proceeded to the restaurant where they had formerly eaten.
Jimmie’s spirits revived as food was set before them. In a moment he was laughing and chatting away without a care in the world. His good humor was infectious. Soon all four boys were in a merry mood.
“I wish we could get a civilized paper,” declared Jack at length. “I’d really like to see what’s going on in the world.”
“Maybe we can get one at the desk. Or possibly the cashier can tell us where they will have English papers for sale,” suggested Harry.
“Here comes a man who looks as if he were a native,” spoke up Jimmie. “I’ll bet he can tell us a whole lot of things we want to know!”
The boys glanced up to observe a man approaching their table. He was evidently a seafaring man. His dress and manner betokened the deep sea mariner. A decided air of the ocean marked him to the boys’ eyes.
“Goot efening, Chentlemen!” the stranger said as he approached.