It may have been only imagination on his part, but he really believed Manuel looked disappointed because such a thing was thought necessary.
“Can we do it from here?” Vance asked eagerly, and the interpreter shook his head.
“I do not think so,” he replied promptly. “There is a cable, but it has not been working. I can take a letter to the purser of the next steamer which sails for New York. He is a friend of mine and will see that it is forwarded without delay.”
“When does she sail?”
“To-morrow.”
“Then we will get one ready to-day, and perhaps our fathers will receive the news almost as quickly as if it was possible to send a telegram,” Roy replied in a tone of satisfaction as he arose from the table.
Manuel went on deck to smoke his cigar, and when he was gone Ned called his friends into the kitchen.
“I am goin’ ashore to find out if that yarn about the cable is true. Write out such a message as you want sent, an’ we’ll soon know whether Manuel is to be trusted or not.”
“You are too suspicious,” Roy said just a trifle impatiently, and Vance added quickly:
“I don’t think so. It won’t do any harm if we take too many precautions, and it may mean a good deal to miss an opportunity of knowing just what is going on.”