"Shall I take it up to the captain?"
"Yes, if you will."
Steve did so. Captain Simms read the alarm message through twice.
"Pshaw!" he grunted. "Let the government find its own criminals. It doesn't hire me to be a policeman. How's the bear?"
"I haven't heard him complain any since we put him back," answered Steve with a grin. "How did he get out, do you think?"
"The cage tipped over in a roll of the ship. No more wild animal shows on this ship. Are you going to try to earn that five hundred dollars?" demanded the skipper, changing the subject abruptly.
"I had not thought of doing so. You do not think he is on your ship, do you?"
"If he was you'd catch him, even if you had to bait him with raw beef. Say, are you going to stay with me?"
"Why, I am not thinking of leaving, Captain Simms."
"I don't mean now. Of course, you wouldn't leave me in the middle of the season. You're too square for that. I mean at the end of the season?"