“You’re curious, I see, to know what all this great mystery means,” smiled Mr. Seaton. 92
“I—I don’t want to let myself be curious about what is none of my business,” declared Tom Halstead, bluntly.
“I’m going to tell you the story now, just the same,” replied Powell Seaton, in a still lower voice.
CHAPTER IX
MR. SEATON UNBURDENS HIMSELF
“Really, I see no reason why I shouldn’t tell you,” went on the charter-man of the “Restless.” “When I first engaged you youngsters and your boat for this month I had little more in mind than using your boat for pleasure cruising about here. Yet the fact that you had a wireless equipment aboard the ‘Restless’ did influence me not a little, for I had at least a suspicion that big affairs might come to pass, and that telegraphing from ship to ship might be wonderfully convenient.
“At the same time, I was careful to look up the references that you gave me, Captain Halstead. Those references were so wholly satisfactory that I know I can trust you to serve me as bravely and loyally as you have, in the past, been called upon to serve others. And now, just for the reason that you may be called upon to take some big fighting chances for me, I’m going 93 to tell you what lies back of the curtain of mystery that you’ve been staring at.”
As his voice died out Powell Seaton arose, locked the door and glanced out through the windows. Then he returned to the table, motioning to the boys to incline their heads close to his.