"They're fine, I think," Bob assured him, and Jack nodded approval.
"I've known Ole for years and he's all right and so's Pat I've known him for several years, but I don't know a thing about Josh. Ole picked him up a few days ago down and out, so to speak, and knowing from his talk that he knew the sea, and being sorry for him, I suppose, took him on as second officer. I imagine he's all right."
"If I'm any judge he is," Jack said as they stepped into a taxi and started off downtown.
"He struck me as having an honest face and a mighty agreeable one," Bob added.
"Oh, I guess he's all right only——"
But just then the cab gave a sudden lurch to avoid striking another car and the sentence was left unfinished. They reached the hotel shortly before dinner time, and, as soon as the meal was finished, Mr. Lakewood told them that he would leave them to their own resources as he had considerable business to attend to. "But mind your step and don't get lost," he cautioned them. He was back in time for supper and in the evening they went to a show, and the following morning he left them again, saying that he wouldn't be back for dinner, but would meet them at the wharf at two o'clock. "The bills are all paid here," he said, "including your dinner, so you eat here, and I'll see you at two."
"I say, Bob, did it strike you yesterday that Uncle Si was a bit suspicious of the second mate?"
The two boys were finishing their dinner in the hotel, and, as it was only a few minutes past twelve o'clock, they were taking their time.
"Now you speak of it, I do remember he kinder hesitated when he spoke of him, why?"
"That's what I was wondering. You remember he said he knew nothing about him except what he told us, and I can't see why he should feel the way he seemed to. He looked honest enough to me."