The inspection by the naval reserve officer of the Ruritania did not vary from that which the St. Mark had already undergone at the hands of the Berwick. Naturally, the German reservists having been already given up, there was little to do but to overhaul the ship’s papers. This did not take long, and before half an hour had passed, the two steamships saluted each other and parted company.
That afternoon Jack had a visitor in the wireless room. It was Mr. Johnson. He opened the conversation ingratiatingly.
“I’m afraid I rather lost my temper the other afternoon,” he said. “I want to apologize.”
“That’s all right,” said Jack briefly, choking back a longing to tell Mr. Johnson that he was perfectly aware of his identity.
“I—er—perhaps what I offered was not enough,” he continued. “I may tell you now that I will double or triple the amount if you will send a message for me,—using a code, of course.”
Jack jumped to his feet, his eyes ablaze.
“See here, sir,” he shot out, “you might offer me all the money there is in Germany but it would not be of the slightest interest to me. Now if you have nothing more to say, I’ll ask you to leave this cabin before I——”
The angry boy checked himself with his hands clenched and his eyes flashing. A murderous look came into Mr. Johnson’s bearded face, but he appeared to be determined to keep himself in check.
“Do not be foolish,” he urged; “have an eye to your own interests. As for your reference to Germany——”
“You are going to say that you don’t understand it,” cut in Jack.