“Go an’ ask the crew to come down here,” said the skipper, sinking on a locker and gazing at the brazen collection before him.
The mate obeyed, and a few minutes afterwards returned with the men, who swarming into the cabin, listened sympathetically as the skipper related his loss.
“It’s a mystery which nobody can understand, sir,” said old Dan when he had finished, “and it’s no use tryin’.”
“One o’ them things what won’t never be cleared up properly,” said the cook comfortably.
“Well, I don’t like to say it,” said the skipper, “but I must. The only man who could have taken it was Hutchins.”
“Wot, sir,” said Dan, “that blessed man! Why, I’d laugh at the idea.”
“He couldn’t do it,” said the boy, “not if he tried he couldn’t. He was too good.”
“He’s taken that twenty-three poun’,” said the skipper deliberately; “eighteen, we’ll call it, because I’m goin’ to have five of it back.”
“You’re labourin’ under a great mistake, sir,” said Dan ambiguously.
“Are you going to give me that money?” said the skipper loudly.