“All we need’s his O.K., Skippy,” he said in soft tones. “It’s somethin’ ter be able ter face guys like the inspector, specially when I been dodgin’ him so long.”
“Then he knows you usta——” Skippy’s tongue seemed not to be able to say the word.
“Sure,” said Toby, a little abashed. “There ain’t many reg’lars in this harbor that the inspector ain’t got spotted some time or other. But I should worry now.”
Skippy nodded happily and a silence ensued between them. They listened together and watched while the harbor launch paused midway of the Minnie M. Baxter and Inspector Jones and his two subordinates held an inaudible conference. Then for a time they made soundings after which the inspector boarded the barge and spent another five minutes inspecting it fore and aft.
“There’s more ter this here inspectin’ business than what a guy thinks,” said Toby simply. “All I know uv boats is this here kicker. I never did more’n load an’ unload aboard Ol’ Flint’s scows.”
“The inspector’s gettin’ back in the launch,” said Skippy eagerly. “Now they’ll come back an’ say it’s all right an’ then we can go, huh?”
Toby Dare nodded and smilingly waited as the launch chugged back alongside of his kicker.
“What yer think uv my ol’ battle-axe, hey, Inspector?” he asked, chuckling.
“Battle-axe is a good word for her, Dare,” said the inspector solemnly. “Nothing describes her better.”
Toby Dare’s generous mouth seemed to tighten at the corners.