The ship lay to and the tug ran alongside. The owner came up the gangway somewhat hastily.
“Ah, Hartley!” he said, in a brusque sort of way, “you have brought my ship home safely once more!”
“I think I may claim that, Mr. Parker,” replied the captain.
“Has the voyage been successful?”
“The best yet made!”
“Ah! that is good,” declared Parker, rubbing his dry little hands while his eyes glittered like beads. “You are very shrewd, Hartley, and I will admit, faithful. I have gone to some expense to come out here and meet you. That I will charge to the deficit account. I am anxious to know the meaning of your cablegram!”
“You shall know it at once!” replied the captain. “Come into the cabin. But first, allow me, Mr. Parker, my friend, Cecil Clifford.”
Parker bowed in a perfunctory way, and Clifford said
“Very much pleased!”
Then a few moments later they were seated in the cabin at a big table spread with charts.