“Yes,” said Old Bill, “I spent many a year on the water; once made a voyage to China. All the Hollbacks was sailors. Me father’s name was Bill, and his father’s name——”
“Did you like China?” interrupted George, hastily.
“Fair to middlin’. Somebody hailin’ us, ain’t there?”
“Yes, over on that wharf.”
“We’ll p’int her in a bit, an’ see what he wants.”
“Hello, Bill Hollback!” came a loud voice. “Hello!”
“Me eyes ain’t so good; but I knows his voice,” said Old Bill. “He belongs to the perlice.”
George and Aleck exchanged swift glances.
“I’ve done bits o’ work fur ’im; onct helped ’im run down a gang o’ river thieves——”
“Hello, Bill Hollback!” yelled the man on the wharf again. “Keep your eyes skinned for a house-boat with a parcel of boys aboard. It’s coming up the river.”