"We are going to build a yacht of the size of the Sea Foam."
"Who?" inquired the workman.
"My mother and I intend to carry on my father's business."
"And you wish me to manage it for you?"
"No; I intend to manage it myself," added Donald, confidently.
"Well, lad, you are clever enough to do it; and if you are like your father, I shall be glad to work for you."
The wages were agreed upon, and Kennedy promised to be at the shop on Monday morning, to assist the young boat-builder in selecting the stock for the Maud. Donald walked to the house of Captain Shivernock. In the yard he found Sykes, the man who did all sorts of work for his employer, from taking care of the horses up to negotiating mortgages. Donald had occasionally been to the house, and he knew Sykes well enough to pass the time of day with him when they met in the street.
"Is Captain Shivernock at home?" asked the young man, trying to appear indifferent, for he wanted to get as much information in regard to the strange man's movements during the last twenty-four hours as possible.
"No, he is not," replied Sykes, who to some extent aped the manners of his eccentric employer.
"Not at home!" exclaimed Donald, who had not expected this answer, though he had not found his own boat at her moorings on his return from the excursion with the fleet.