“You win!” ejaculated Captain Tugg. “I memorized that address. Have to admit I’ve always been cur’ous about the Professor. You know him?”
“No, sir,” I said. “But I believe there’s a man here in town who does. Or, at least knows something about him,” I added, as I remembered how very little Tom Anderly really knew about the man who had been picked up in the fog off Bolderhead Neck.
“I’d like to see that feller,” said Tugg.
“And I’d like mightily to see your Professor,” said I.
Tugg looked at me thoughtfully. “Got a job?” he asked.
“I’m not sure that I shall wait for the Scarboro,” I replied. “We come in with our second mate who was hurt by a whale. He’s in hospital. I have got about all the whaling I want, I believe.”
“I’ll give ye a job aboard the Sea Spell.”
“I’ll think of that,” said I, quickly.
“You’ll not think long, son,” drawled Captain Tugg, grimly. “We get away on the morning tide.”
The suggestion startled me. I felt a drawing toward Captain Adoniram Tugg and his schooner. Rather, I had a strong desire to see the man whom he called his partner—the man who had given his name as Carver on the Sally Smith, but was now known to Tugg as “Professor Vose.” I was in a fret of uncertainty.