Jake laughed. He liked Kenwardine and meant to stick to him, but although rash and extravagant, he was sometimes shrewd, and admitted that there might perhaps be some ground for Dick’s suspicions. He was entitled to lose his own money, but he must run no risk of injuring his father’s business. However, since Kenwardine had a share in the coaling wharf, he would learn that they had been to Adexe, and to try to hide this would show that they distrusted him.
“Our occupation was innocent but rather arduous,” he said. “We went to Adexe in the launch to see when our coal was coming.”
“Did you get it? The manager told me something about the tug’s engines needing repairs.”
“We got one scow that broke adrift off the Tajada reef. They had to turn back with the others.”
“Then perhaps I’d better telephone to find out what they mean to do,” Kenwardine suggested.
Jake wondered whether he wished to learn if they had already made inquiries, and thought frankness was best.
“Brandon called up the wharf as soon as the office was open, but didn’t get much information. Something seemed to be wrong with the wire.”
“I suppose he wanted to know when the coal would leave?”
“Yes,” said Jake. “But he began by asking if the tug had come back safe, and got no further, because the other fellow couldn’t hear.”
“Why was he anxious about the tug?”