"Not quite so bad as that. The passenger is a boy."
"A son of yours?"
"I wish he was," said Bill, earnestly; "but I'll tell you more about this matter another time. For the present, keep dark. And that reminds me, can you tell me of any quiet, decent place where the lad and I can come to anchor?"
"I know of a widow woman who will give you good rooms."
Bill took down the address.
Toward twelve o'clock he returned to the wharf at which the vessel was lying. While he was standing in the shadow of a large building the cathedral clock struck twelve.
A moment after, and a youthful form appeared upon deck, descended the side swiftly, and stepped on the wharf.
"Here I am, my lad," said Sturdy, in a low voice, coming out from his place of concealment.
"I was afraid you wouldn't be here," whispered Charlie.