Don leaped forward impulsively and threw his arm over Brick’s shoulder.
“You sure had me going for a minute, Brick,” he said. “You could have knocked me down with a feather. But I can’t tell you how glad I am to see you here.”
The evident acquaintance of the Sturdys and Professor Bruce with the stowaway caused the sailors to relinquish their hold of Teddy’s collar, and just at that moment one of the officers of the ship came along to look into the matter.
Captain Sturdy addressed him.
“You needn’t worry about this boy, officer,” he said. “His father is a friend of mine. I’ll take all responsibility for him and pay his passage.”
“Certainly, sir, certainly,” replied the officer. “That will be all right. Hardly know where we’ll find accommodation for him though. All our staterooms are taken.”
“He can share the cabin of my nephew,” replied the captain. “Come, Teddy,” he went on, addressing the culprit. “Don will take you to his room and fit you out with some of his clothes after you’ve had a bath. Then I’ll have something to say to you, young man.”
There was something in Captain Sturdy’s tone and glance that was not at all reassuring to the aforesaid young man, who hurried away with Don, glad to get away from the half-wondering, half-amused glances of the passengers who had been summoned by the hubbub.
“Gee, Don, I suppose I’m in for an awful scolding,” Teddy whispered to his chum, as he watched the uncompromising back of the captain.
“Shouldn’t wonder, old boy,” laughed Don. “You’ll probably get an earful. But, after all, Uncle Frank won’t eat you. And, at any rate, you’re here, and nothing else matters much. You won’t get any scolding from me, that’s a cinch. You look mighty good to me, Brick. I’m crazy to hear what’s happened to you since the ship sailed.”