He was a little older than Joe and Blake, but he did not take advantage of that. He seemed to have fully recovered from the accident, though there was a nervousness in his actions at times that set the boys to wondering. And, occasionally, Blake or Joe would catch him surreptitiously looking at them in a strange manner.
"I wonder what's up?" said Blake to Joe, after one of those occasions. "He sure does act queer."
"That's what I say," agreed Joe. "It's just as though he were sorry he had to be under obligations to us, if you can call it that, for saving his life."
"That's how it impresses me. But perhaps we only imagine it. Hello, here comes Mr. Baker with the mail! We ought to hear from New York."
"Hasn't Birdie Lee written yet?" asked Joe.
"Oh, drop that!" warned Blake, his eyes flashing.
There was a letter from Mr. Hadley, in which he conveyed news and information that made Blake and Joe definitely decide to make the trip to Panama.
"And take Alcando with us?" asked Joe.
"I suppose so," said Blake, though it could not be said that his assent was any too cordial.
"Then we'd better tell him, so he'll know it is settled."