“So it appears. A warning has been sent out to that effect, and the sea is getting up every moment.”
Mr. Jarrold of New York made a surprising answer to this bit of information.
“So much the better,” he half muttered. “You are, of course, on duty every second till midnight?”
“Yes, I’m on the job till my assistant relieves me,” responded the young wireless chief of the Tropic Queen.
“Do you want to make some money?”
“Well, that all depends,” began Jack doubtfully. “You see, I——”
He paused for words. He didn’t want to offend this man Jarrold, who, after all, was a first-cabin passenger, while he was only a wireless operator. Yet somehow the man’s manner had conveyed to Jack’s mind that there was something in his proposal that implied dishonesty to his employers. Except vaguely, however, he could not have explained why he felt that way. He only knew that it was so.
Jarrold appeared to read his thoughts.
“You think that I am asking you to undertake something outside your line of duty?”
“Why, yes. I—must confess I don’t quite understand.”