The room was lighted, and the door and windows were half open because the night was hot. Carelessly glancing in, Dick saw Don Sebastian sitting at the table with the captain and engineer. This somewhat surprised him, for the purser transacted the ship’s business and, so far as he knew, none of the other guests had been taken to the captain’s room. He felt puzzled about Don Sebastian, whom he had met once or twice. The fellow had an air of authority and the smaller officials treated him with respect.
Something in the men’s attitude indicated that they were talking confidentially, and Dick thought he had better go away without attracting their attention; but just then the captain turned in his chair and looked out. Dick decided to wait until he looked round again, and next moment Don Sebastian asked: “Have you plenty coal?”
“I think so,” the engineer replied. “The after-bunkers are full, but I’d have taken a few extra barge-loads here only I didn’t want any of the shore peons to see how much I’d already got.”
Dick did not understand this, because coal was somewhat cheaper and the facilities for shipping it were better at the boat’s next port of call, to which it was only a two-days’ run. Then the captain, who turned to Don Sebastian, remarked:
“Making the sailing list prominent was a happy thought, and it was lucky your friends backed us up well by their speeches. You saw how I took advantage of the lead they gave me, but I hope we haven’t overdone the thing.”
“No,” said Don Sebastian thoughtfully; “I imagine nobody suspects anything yet.”
“Perhaps you had better clear the ship soon, sir,” said the engineer. “Steam’s nearly up and it takes some coal——”
The room door slipped off its hook and swung wide open as the vessel rolled, and Dick, who could not withdraw unnoticed, decided to light his cigarette in order that the others might see that they were not alone. As he struck the match the captain got up.
“Who’s that?” he asked.
“One of the foreign passengers, I expect; the mates can’t keep them off this deck,” the engineer replied. “I don’t suppose the fellow knows English, but shall I send him down?”