“But they say your boat is going through to Hitaca!” exclaimed the major.
“So she is, sir.”
“To Hitaca!”
“Yes, sir; I mean so.”
“Do I understand you that this boat is to run through to Hitaca?” demanded the great man fiercely.
“That is precisely what my words mean,” I replied calmly. “You will remember that you made your last move this morning. The president of the steamboat company makes his last move this afternoon.”
“But this is absurd, and impossible. You don’t mean it. It is intended to cheat passengers,” fumed the magnate.
“All who go with us will be landed at Hitaca at half-past seven this evening, if no accident happens.”
“But this boat was built to run from Centreport to Ucayga.”
“That is very true, sir; but your move this morning compelled the president to change his plans.”