“It’s not bad inside. A little cold when the wind blows through the chinks, but otherwise, fairly comfortable.”
“Ben, haven’t you any friends or relatives?”
“Not here. I thought I had a few friends, but they dropped me like a hot potato when I ran into trouble.”
“This is no life for you, Ben. I’ll certainly talk to my father tomorrow.”
Ben smiled and said nothing. From his silence, Penny gathered that he had no faith she would be able to do anything for him.
They walked on, and as they approached a small freighter tied up at the wharf, Ben pointed it out.
“That’s the Snark,” he informed her.
The name meant nothing to Penny. “Who owns her?” she inquired carelessly.
“I wish I knew, Penny. There’s plenty goes on aboard that vessel, but it’s strictly hush-hush. I have my suspicions that—”
Ben suddenly broke off, for several men had appeared on the deck of the Snark. The vessel was some distance away, and in the darkness only shadowy forms were visible.