"Well, what about this clothing affair?"
"Won't you let it rest for a few days?"
"If you wish," answered Captain Hadley, and then he was called away to attend to some important duties.
Although Randy did not know it, Peter Polk was nearby and caught a good bit of the talk between our hero and the captain. His face grew deathly pale when he learned that Randy was going to see Mr. Shalley and about his own personal doings.
"What has that cub discovered now?" he asked himself. "What can he tell about my doings?"
He was so worried he could not attend to his work. He turned the matter over in his mind and suddenly remembered the threatening letter he had received. He had paid the claim, but what had he done with the communication? He searched everywhere for it, but without avail.
"Fool that I was, that I did not tear it up and throw it overboard," he muttered to himself. "If that boy has the letter it may lead to an investigation, and then——" He did not finish but clenched his hands in rage and fear.
He watched Randy narrowly, and after New York was reached saw our hero make preparations to go ashore. He did not know that Mr. Shalley was in the metropolis and could not comprehend Randy's move.
"Are you going ashore?" he asked of our hero, when he got the chance.
"I am."