After the visit to the observatory, the captain asked the boys if they would care to try out the swimming pool.
“Hey, would we!” Garry and Patch said together.
A few minutes later, as they were heading down the corridor toward the gym, they passed Mr. Klecker walking along stiffly—in full dress of course—and carrying a stack of books.
“Hello, gentlemen,” the tall man greeted them cordially, and the boys returned his greeting.
As he passed, Patch whispered to Garry, “Bet those books are about the circus.”
Garry smiled and nodded.
The boys had learned that Mr. Klecker had a hobby. He was very much interested in the circus of the old days. He had many books on the subject, and whenever he talked to anyone it was about the circus.
Garry and Patch had heard from the others that Mr. Klecker still looked after the captain as if he were serving him in his mansion. He would lay out his clothes for him and attend to other small details. Once in awhile Mr. Klecker would be called on to assist in things of a mechanical nature, but he hated to get out of his full dress and don greasy coveralls.
The boys proceeded to the gym. They were anticipating a good time. But something of a decisive nature was to happen which would have an important bearing on their future life aboard the Carefree.
