"No; I have just landed."
"How is it you have thrown aside your seaman's clothes and taken to these?"
"Just to escape being found out."
"Found out! what do you mean by that? Have you been up to anything?"
"Yes, I have, Jack. I have been up to something, worse luck to me; but I'm not to be blamed either."
"What is it all about?" inquired his companion. "I always thought you were such a steady-going old file that there was no going out of the even path with you."
"Nor would there have been, but for one simple circumstance."
"What was that?"
"I will tell you, Jack—I will tell you; you will never betray me, I am sure."
"Never, by heavens!"