Andy’s heart thumped with a sudden thought. He dropped the mooring line, and the Valkaria drifted dockward.
“Is this Captain Anderson?” called the young man.
As the captain replied, the stranger continued:
“Then this is Andy Leighton!”
“It is,” shouted Andy, “and you’re Roy Osborne!”
“One guess did it,” exclaimed the youth. “I’m a little late, but we had a great sail. I got your letter—came down last night, but got carried to St. Sebastian and stayed all night with Mr. Nilsen—came up in the Frieda—dandy boat—how’s the airship?”
“I hardly thought you’d come,” began Andy, embarrassed.
“It was sort of accidental,” replied the new arrival, as he shook hands all around. “I was to go back to Newark yesterday, but when I showed Mr. Atkinson your letter, he said I might come. I’m to join him at Lake Worth to-morrow.”
“To-morrow?” exclaimed Andy. “Do you have to go so soon?”