“Well, I reckon you were just what Leroyd told you—a little too fresh,” was the comment of the mate of the Silver Swan. “’Twas only by luck that ye warn’t garroted by that scoundrel. There’s been more than one man gone into that dive that never come out arterwards, now I tell ye.”
“You are wrong, Caleb,” declared Mr. Pepper confidently “It was not luck—’twas Providence.”
“Mebbe you’re right, old man,” returned the mate. “Now, lad, come in here and tell us all about yourself before we do anything further. We want to get a thorough understanding o’ the case.”
They had arrived at the shipping merchant’s office, but it was locked and Mr. Pepper had to use his own private pass key.
“Weeks has gone out,” the old gentleman explained, ushering them in. “It’s his dinner hour.”
“I’m glad the swab’s out of the way,” growled the sailor. “I don’t see what you keep that prying, sneaking rascal about here for any way. He’ll do you some damage some time, ’Doniram.”
“I—I should dislike to discharge him,” said the old gentleman gently. “He—he is an unfortunate fellow——”
“Unfortunate!” snorted the mate in disgust.
“Yes, unfortunate, Caleb. Even his face is against him. Who would want such a looking fellow around an office? And office work is all he knows how to do. Marks wouldn’t keep him down to the other office, so I had to take him up here.”
“Had to!”