"Yes," said Robert. "It was quite a blow to him, and he has been nervous ever since for fear you would come back again."
Ben Haley shrugged his shoulders and laughed.
"He needn't be afraid. I don't want to trouble him, but I was bound he shouldn't keep from me what was rightly my due. I haven't got all I ought to have, but I am not a lover of money, and I shall let it go."
"I hope you won't go near him again, for he got a severe shock the last time."
"When you get back, if you get a chance to see him privately, you may tell him there is no danger of that."
"I shall be glad to do so," said Robert.
"I thought I would explain the matter to you," continued the mate, in an off-hand manner, "for I didn't want you to remain under a false impression. So you are going to see a little of the world?"
"Yes, sir."
"I suppose that is your only object?"
"No. I have another object in view."