The young man's face flushed. “Then you can give me my money, and I'll leave it to-day.”
“Very well. Sit down,” replied the old man, reaching for his wages book.
“There are sixty pounds due to you,” he said; “go on board and wait for me. I'll be there at twelve o'clock with the new man, and we'll go through the stores and spare gear together. If everything is right, I'll pay your sixty pounds—if not, I'll deduct for whatever is short. Good morning.”
At two o'clock in the afternoon Captain Tom Lester landed at Circular Quay with his effects and sixty sovereigns in his pocket.
Leaving his baggage at an hotel he took a cab, drove to a quiet little street in the suburb of Darling Point, and stopped at a quaint, old-fashioned cottage surrounded by a garden.
The door was opened by a tall, handsome girl of about twenty-two.
“Tom!”
“Lucy!” he replied, mimicking her surprised tone. Then he became grave, and leading her to a seat, sat beside her, and took her hand.
“Lucy, I have bad news. Rod way dismissed me this morning, and I have left the ship.”
The girl's eyes filled. “Never mind, Tom. You will get another.”