“Nobody knows about me but my friends, and there is no danger of their talking.”
“But your schooner, which is as well known in this part of the ocean as a mail steamer?”
Broom smiled.
“You don’t think I’d be fool enough to bring my schooner in here after I heard about the arrival of Jukes’ yacht?” he asked. “The South Sea Lass is safely hidden up the coast. I came here on a native canoe.”
“Well, you ought to be good at covering up your tracks, you’ve had enough experience,” said Donald, with a sort of grudging admiration for the ruffian.
“One thing more,” said Broom, acknowledging what he chose to take as a compliment with a grin. “Jukes is very rich. Has he much money with him this trip?”
“I guess not. Jukes is pretty foxy with his money. If he has much it would be in some form that is not negotiable. He is not the sort of man to take chances.”
Broom nodded his massive head ponderously. He was evidently revolving some plan in his mind. Presently he brought down his heavy fist with a crash on the table.
“Jukes has poked his nose into this business,” he exclaimed, “and it will cost him something to get out of it before he gets through.”
“What do you mean?” asked Donald.