“Aye, aye, sir,” came in cheerful, willing tones.
If they had not known Malvin to be such a rascal, they would have found it hard to believe that the owner of such a cheerful voice could be the schemer they knew him to be, and the criminal that they suspected more than strongly he was.
“Good-bye.”
“Take care of yourself.”
These were the leave takings between the boys accompanied by a warm pressure of hands that meant more than words. A few moments later the tender was chugging off ashore and Ralph was left alone on board the River Swallow. He would have given a good deal to know what Malvin thought of the night’s proceedings. He knew the fellow was far too shrewd not to guess that something was about due to break. But if Malvin really had such ideas, he kept them to himself with admirable coolness.
After the tender had departed, he came aft to where Ralph was sitting in a deck chair and inquired if there was anything more to be done.
“No; if all is snug, you may take a nap, Malvin, or amuse yourself as you see fit.”
“Thank you, sir. I reckon I’ll turn in and get forty winks, sir,” rejoined Malvin.
He touched his cap and hurried off forward.
“Now who would suspect that that man is the central figure in a big smuggling scheme of some sort?” thought Ralph as the man departed. “He is certainly an admirable actor.”