Villari laughed. “There will be plenty of room, Mrs. Raymond.”
An hour or so later he bade them all good-night, and went on board.
The old mate was pacing to and fro on the main deck smoking his pipe, and Villari asked him to come below.
He turned up the lamp and told Hutton to sit down.
“Will you have a drink, Hutton?”
“Will I? You ought to know me by now.”
Villari went to his cabin and brought out a bottle of brandy. His dark eyes were flashing with excitement, as he placed it on the table together with two glasses.
“Drink as much as you like to-night,” he said; “but remember we lift anchor at daylight. We must be back here the day after to-morrow. There are passengers coming on board. You remember your promise to me?”
Hutton half-filled his tumbler with brandy, and swallowed it eagerly before answering.
“I do, skipper; I'll do any blessed thing in the world except cuttin' throats. I don't know what your game is, but I'm ready for anythink. If it's a scuttlin' job, you needn't try to show me nothin'. I'm an old hand at the game.”