The man set down his suit-case and hitched a heave-line to the handle. He coiled the line and handed it to a deck-hand. “Throw that to me when I'm on deck,” he ordered. Then he came up the ladder.
“Heave, and I'll hoist up the bag,” suggested Mayo at the rail.
“Wait till I get there,” barked the visitor, still climbing. He caught the line after he had reached the rail and pulled up the case with some effort and great care.
“Look here, that bag isn't empty,” said Mayo.
“Who said it was? I'm carrying around in it all I own in the world. I'm starting for New York as soon as this tug sets me ashore.”
He picked up the case and started for the officers' quarters. Mayo went along, too.
“You afraid I'm going to steal her engine out of her? The few little things of mine I'm after were hidden away, and that's how I forgot 'em. Now don't insult me by following me around as if I was a thief.”
“I don't know just what you are,” muttered the young man. “There's something that looks mighty phony about this, but I haven't got you sized up just yet.”
“I'll go back—go back right now. I supposed I was asking a favor of a gentleman and a brother officer.” He started on his return to the ladder.
“Go get your stuff,” commanded Mayo. “If your business here is all your own, I don't want to spy on you.”