“Federal Reserve it is. Forty-six dollars in Uncle Samuels.”
The first officer solemnly counted out the sum and laid it on the palm of the discharged man.
“Tough world.”
“Oh, I’m not worrying! I’ll bet you this forty-six against ten that I’ve another job before midnight.”
Mr. Cleve grinned.
“Always looking for sure-thing bets! Better hail that bumboat with the vegetables to row you into town. The old man’ll dump you over by hand if he finds you here between now and sundown.”
“I’ll try the launch there. Tell the lad his fare ain’t goin’ back to Shanghai. Of course it makes it a bit inconvenient, packing and unpacking; but I guess I can live through it. But what about the woman?”
Cleve plucked at his chin.
“Messes up the show a bit. Pippin, though. I like ’em when they walk straight and look straight like this one. Notice her hair? You never tame that sort beyond parlour manners. But I don’t like her on board here, or the young fellow, either. Don’t know him, but he’s likely to bust the yacht wide open if he gets loose.” 97
“Well, so long, Mary! Know what my first move’ll be?”