He was followed by the engineer, who seemed to be desirous to explain the affair. Doubtless he was grateful for the service the boy had rendered to him, and looked upon the skipper of the Goldwing as his friend.
“You are a plucky boy, Dory,” said Greeze, when they reached the wheel, near the bow of the boat. “But I think I could have handled that fellow alone.”
“It is very strange that you should get into a quarrel out here in the middle of the night,” added Dory.
“It wasn’t a quarrel of my making; and, if he hadn’t taken me when I was not thinking of such a thing, the boot would have been on the other leg. He’s bigger than I am, but I can handle him if I have fair play.”
“How did you happen to get into such a row?”
“I stopped the boat when we reached this place, and then let go the anchor, at Lingerwell’s order. When I went forward, I found him on the floor, feeling about under the ceiling. I didn’t know what he was doing; and he didn’t care to have me know, for he told me to go aft and bank the fire in the furnace. I did so, and when I got through I went forward again. Lingerwell was at the lantern, looking over what was in a big pocket-book he had in his hands.”
“Had he said any thing about a pocket-book before?” asked Dory.
“Not a word. When I got to him, he looked as though he was very nervous and excited. He poked the pocket-book over, and then fished his pockets all through. I asked him what the matter was. He said he had dropped his pocket-book on the floor, some time during the day; he didn’t know when. He had just found it; but the money had all been taken out, and a piece of newspaper put in its place to swell it out.”
“Did he say how much money was in it?” inquired Dory.
“He said there was a good deal in it, but he didn’t tell me how much.”