“There’s a screw loose somewhere. These boys have too much money,” added Peaks. “But what are you going to do, and what am I to do?”
“I was left here to look out for Scott and Laybold, and meet you when you came. Now, it seems that about a dozen of the rascals are missing.”
“I have the Briton here.”
“If I were you, Peaks, I should go right on to Copenhagen in this steamer, and you can report the facts to the principal.”
The boatswain decided to do this, while the head steward remained to search for the absentees; and in due time Peaks delivered his prisoner on board of the ship in the harbor of Copenhagen.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE MEETING OF THE ABSENTEES.
Scott and Laybold, after imbibing a single glass of “finkel” each, which proved to be more than they could carry, retreated into a narrow lane, to escape the observation of a party of officers who were on their way to the landing. Neither of them had any inclination for intoxicating drinks, and had taken the stuff without knowing what it was. But they were conscious that everything was not right with them. They found it quite impossible to walk in a straight line, and even the problem of standing up was not demonstrated to the entire satisfaction of either of them. Talking was not without its difficulties, for their tongues seemed to be double their ordinary thickness, and their lips and other organs of speech were not as manageable as usual. For a time the effects of the potent liquor increased upon them, and as they had taken it in a hungry condition, they realized its full power.