David Tholbin nodded seriously. He knew that Tobias Waddell had no inkling of what Parker Noyes was actually doing.
These reservations had been made long in advance. Tholbin had merely followed the lawyer’s instructions in picking them up. The large trunk had been placed in Betty’s stateroom by design. The business crisis mentioned by Parker Noyes was a fake.
“Pretty near midnight,” declared Waddell, glancing at his watch. “We’ve been here most of the evening. Time to get out of the place.”
“I am going to bed,” said Betty. “Remember, Dave, you promised that you would be up at six o’clock to call me. I want to watch the dawn, over the ocean.”
“I’ll be here,” declared Tholbin. “I guess I had better knock at the deck door. I don’t want to disturb your father.”
“That’s a good idea,” replied Betty.
Waddell arose. He was dressed in evening clothes, which had become rumpled. The fat millionaire cared very little about his attire. He formed a contrast to Tholbin, who looked the part of a tailor-made man.
Both Waddell and Tholbin said good night to Betty. They left the stateroom and walked along the little passageway until they reached a lengthwise corridor.
“I’m going up to the smoking room,” declared Waddell. “Get a few drinks, and drop into that poker game. Coming with me?”
“No,” replied Tholbin. “I’m going to sleep for a while. Perhaps I’ll drop in later in the evening and see how you’re making out.”