'I mean to get a job on a trawler, and go to sea as an ordinary fisherman. Then I shall be able to obtain, from personal observation, all the information I want.'
The bow-legged fisherman sat up in his chair deeply interested.
'That's a splendid idea, sir,' he declared, 'and I only wish you could get a job on the Sparrow-hawk, for you would see enough on that trawler to make you write till you wore out your pen. The skipper is an old villain, and that crafty too——'
The bow-legged fisherman did not finish his speech, but nodded his head, and raised his hands in horror, as if words were too weak to express the real character of the skipper. Naturally, Charlie became more anxious than ever to make a trip on the Sparrow-hawk.
'Can't I get a job on her?' he asked.
'No, sir. All the same hands are taken on for the next trip.'
'Couldn't I bribe one of them to stay away, and let me go aboard in his place?'
'Pretending that you are he?'
'Yes.'
''Course you could. Take my place, sir.'