“Capt. Goodwin has told me all about your academy; and he always speaks of you with the highest respect and regard,” interposed Judge Rodwood. “But have you a young man among your students by the name of Thomas Speers?”
“We have such a name on our books; but I regret to say that he is away just now, and we are not a little anxious about him and his companions,” answered Mr. Lowington very seriously.
The principal then detailed all the circumstances connected with the absence of Tom Speers. Mr. Pelham was sent for; and he was very glad to meet Goodwin, who had been a pupil with him when the Young America first crossed the Atlantic. He explained more particularly why the despatch and the letter had not been opened sooner.
“Then the young rascal has purposely kept away from me,” said Judge Rodwood. “His uncle has left him three millions of dollars; and he makes me chase him all over the world to put him in possession of his fortune. As Tom is nearly twenty-one, I thought I should be doing him a good turn if I took him out of school. The Marian really belonged to Tom’s uncle; and, as the boy is fond of the sea, I thought I would give him the benefit of it. I used to keep the best state-room on board for Mr. Speers; and I still reserve it for his heir.”
“I should have discharged the young man if I had received your letter in season to do so before we sailed from Gibraltar, and sent him on to London,” added Mr. Lowington.
“But it seems that he does not wish to be sent off; and in that case I am willing that he should remain in your academy,” observed Judge Rodwood. “If he had telegraphed to me that he did not wish to leave his vessel, I should have been perfectly satisfied, and permitted him to remain. In fact, I am not legally his guardian yet, for the young man has a voice in the business himself.”
“Do you hail from Gibraltar now, sir?” asked the principal.
“No, sir: I have not been anywhere near Gibraltar. When I received no reply to my despatch or letter, I telegraphed to a correspondent of our banking-house, and learned that your squadron had sailed for Funchal, and that young Speers had undoubtedly gone in the vessel to which he belonged. I am off on a cruise; and I was rather pleased with the idea of going to Madeira in search of my ward.”
“Then you are direct from England?”
“I am: the Marian is six days from Southampton. As I was anxious to find young Speers before you left these islands, I required the captain to hurry her; and I think we made fifteen knots an hour a good part of the voyage.”