Guy was more mystified than ever. Half an hour later he told his mother of the developments of the morning, and she advised him to give Messrs. Watson and Gunseyt both a wide berth.
“They may both be confidence men working together, while they appear to be enemies,” she advised him.
This suggestion startled the boy. It had not occurred to him before. However, a few moments’ thought caused him to reply:
“I can’t believe it. The captain said he knew absolutely that Watson was all right, and he wouldn’t have said that if he hadn’t known what he was talking about.”
In spite of his mother’s advice, Guy could not resist the temptation to seek out Mr. Gunseyt again and inform him what the captain had said about Mr. Watson. The “radio rogue” looked mildly surprised, screwed up one eye meditatively, and said:
“Well, of course, there’s always possibility of a mistake, but I can’t believe there are two men in the world that look and act as much alike as Watson and Lantry. However, it’s nothing to me, and I hope, for your friend’s sake, I’m wrong.”
“He’s no friend of mine,” assured the boy. “I never met him before and I don’t care if I never meet him again. I came near wishing I hadn’t met him at all.”
The steamer was still plowing through cold northern waters and correspondingly cold atmosphere. The passengers remained under cover most of the time after the ship left the Gulf Stream, for the weather was fitfully inclement and the cabin walls were comfortable protection from cold and rain. For those who insisted on open-air exercise, the promenade deck afforded the best convenience.
Guy was fond of open air, summer and winter. So he was seen frequently walking the promenade. Usually he was not alone, for he found acquaintances readily. There were a number of boys in the first class passenger section who got together every day in the gymnasium, or tennis or ball courts, and Guy was one of that number. Another, Carl Glennon, son of a Brooklyn lawyer, also was fond of the promenade, and he and Guy met frequently. He had finished high school the year before and his father had given him his choice between going to college and seeing the world. He had chosen the latter, with a view to taking a business position after finishing his travels.
On the afternoon of the fifth day out from Liverpool, Guy met Carl on the promenade, and the latter greeted him thus: