“What have you to say to this, cub?” asked ’Gene Black, turning to Tom.
“Mr. Thurston placed me in charge because no one else would assume the responsibility,” smiled Tom good-humoredly.
“Then you’re going to stay boss for the present?”
“Unless Mr. Thurston changes his mind.”
“Oh, what a fool I was to be away this afternoon!” groaned Black to himself. “I could have gotten this chance away from a cub like Reade. Oh, but my real task would have been easy if I had been here on deck, and had got Thurston to turn matters over to me. Reade will be easy! He’s only a cub—-a booby. Even if he proved shrewd—-well, I have at my disposal several ways of getting rid of him!”
Then, aloud, Black went on:
“Reade, I’m a candidate for the post of acting assistant chief engineer.”
“That goes to Rutter, if he’ll take it,” replied Tom, with a smile.
“Oh, I’ll take it,” nodded Jack Rutter. “I can follow orders, when I have someone else to give them.”
Tom was intentionally pleasant with ’Gene Black. He intended to remain pleasant—-until he was quite ready to act.