Ned looked embarrassed. Although he was pretty sure that Captain Briggs' schooner, despite the captain's asseverations to the contrary, was the one that had run down the motor boat, he still felt grateful to the man for being the means of saving his life. But his pocketbook had been stolen by Kenworth and Saki, no doubt in the hope that it might contain papers of value.
He was penniless. His embarrassment must have showed pretty plainly on his face, for Captain Briggs gave a wave of his hand.
"That's all right, matey," he said magnanimously. "I kin see that you come of good folks and kin pay well. If you ain't got much with you now, you can write me a check or we'll wait till you can take me to your folks."
"But I haven't any folks here, nor have I a check-book or any large sums of money anywhere," said Ned, perplexed about getting out of this unforeseen difficulty. "Where are you bound for?" he added.
The captain looked cunning. He laid his finger to one side of his pimply, bottle-shaped nose.
"That's a bit of a secret, my lad. But I don't mind telling you this. It's on the Jersey shore above Perth Amboy."
"Very well, then," said Ned relieved, "you put me ashore in Perth Amboy and I'll send you whatever money I can raise to any address you give."
The captain stared at him as if in deep thought. For a moment he said nothing. Then he found words.
"Ain't you a nice one ter try yer deceivin' ways on poor ole Cap'n Briggs?" said he in an injured tone. "Fellers like you ain't ridin' roun' in motor boats with no money to do it on. You'll stay right here with me till you send for a messenger or telegraft or find some way to have the money paid right over to me."
"How much do you want?" asked Ned.