"You seem to have taken a great fancy to him," sneered Antonio. "You mustn't trust too much to appearances. He looks to me as if he were guilty."
Charlie's cheeks were flushed, but not with shame or confusion. It was indignation, that he should be suspected of such a disgraceful crime.
By his side stood Bill Sturdy, who took an opportunity of whispering into his ear, "Never you mind, my lad, even if the ring is found in your chest."
"But it isn't there," said Charlie.
"It may be," said Bill, who, by this time, suspected the nature of Antonio's two errands below.
"How should it be there?" asked Charlie quite in the dark.
"It might have been put there, my lad."
"But who could put it there?" persisted our hero, but little enlightened.
"Hark you, my lad," said Bill, still farther lowering his tones; "you've got more than one enemy on board this ship."