That is exactly what they did do. The locker belonging to Captain Lawton was an old-fashioned affair, such as seamen were more accustomed to use fifty years ago than in these days.
They had everything out and in again before the skipper was convinced that his money really was gone.
“Cross!” he bellowed.
The mate stepped to his side, looking at him questioningly.
“I’m going ashore!” announced Captain Lawton.
“When?”
“Now!” thundered the commander. “I’m going to find that lubber who dived overboard with my money. And, when I get him, I’ll turn him inside out. Then I’ll——”
“I wouldn’t,” advised Van Cross. “You have to look after the ship now we are in port.”
“You can do that,” interrupted Lawton savagely. “A captain can trust his first mate to do some things, can’t he?”
“Sure!” assented Van Cross. “But I don’t believe you’d ever find that man if you did go after him. Now, here’s this Sykes, who has just said he knows the man. Why don’t you let him go?”