“Well, you might almost say I have,” replied Hank, “but I’ll tell you the yarn.”
Tommie had retired into the after cabin and they sat down whilst Hank, knowing the man he was speaking to, gave his story, with big cuts but all essentials.
“So you see,” finished Hank, “McGinnis is down and out, can’t come back to ’Frisco with the fear of us on top of him. He was Vanderdecken practically speaking. But I’ve got some of his money and this old schooner to hand over to his wife if he’s got one.”
“Well, if you ask me he’s got a widow, if I know anything of those Mexicans,” replied Scudder. “Yes, he had a wife, she lives in Lincoln Street, and we’ll fix it with her. Listen, there’s a boat come alongside.”
It was George returned. He came down and took a hand whilst they debated matters with Scudder.
“Take my advice,” said the captain, “and keep your heads shut. You piled and lost the Wear Jack and came home in a schooner that happened along. Tell that to your friends. I’ll smother the yarn as far as my side lies and I’ll look after Jake. There is no use in stirring up trouble. Why, it might mean a dust-up with Mexico. Don’t bother about being kidded at not bringing Vanderdecken home. He’s half forgot, there’s an election on—you know ’Frisco. As for that movie company and the show of theirs you bust up—Wallack and Jackson it was—there was a big story about it in the papers—but Wallack and Jackson is bust themselves. A week ago they went, with half a dozen others.”
“Well, that’s a comfort,” said Hank, forgetting Tommie, and her means of livelihood.
Then Scudder heaved himself up and took his leave, and Tommie came out of the after cabin.
“Say,” said Hank, suddenly remembering the importance of Scudder’s news and recognising the gravity of it to her, “Old Scudder, the Port man has been here and we’ve fixed everything up all right, but he’s brought bad news. Your show has bust.”
“Which?” asked Tommie.