"Our water supply has run rather low," said Herr Muller, watching the Dreadnought Boy narrowly, "did you notice anything peculiar about that water?"
"Ah, now you come to speak of it, I did notice a peculiar taste to it," said Herc, restraining a desire to chuckle at the other's amazement, "a sort of bitter flavor. Is it that which you refer to?"
"Perhaps. But—but didn't it make you sleepy?" queried the other, his curiosity overcoming his discretion.
"Never felt more wide awake in my life," responded Herc, "I could sing this instant. I——"
But Herr Muller had fled into Ned's cabin. He found the boy apparently just wakening from a sound slumber, although Ned had enjoyed every word of Herc's foolish banter.
"Ah, so you are awake at last, Mister Sailor," said Herr Muller; "may I trouble you to come into the other cabin? I have business of importance to discuss."
"I beg your pardon," said Ned shortly.
"What do you mean?"
"Just this: that I have no business to discuss with a scoundrel."