Having eaten his breakfast and packed up sufficient clothes to take with him in the “Talofa,” the count strolled to the store. Klinger having been up all night was yet asleep in his office. The count seated himself on the porch and sent word by one of the natives standing guard over the freight from the schooner.
Klinger appeared shortly.
“You did a good night’s work, I see,” said the count.
Klinger nodded sleepily.
“Has Captain Scott a white man in his crew?” the count asked.
“Yes, of course. Stump,” the manager replied, opening wide his eyes. “I remember now I didn’t see him on the schooner last night.”
“What does this Stump look like?” the count asked. Klinger described him accurately.
“That’s the very man,” the count exclaimed in alarm. “He deserted the schooner and tried to swim to the American war-ship. I picked him out of the water nearly drowned, and he slept at the Tivoli Hotel last night. He’s now loose in Ukula, and may spoil everything unless we can stop his tongue.”
Klinger, however, did not seem greatly alarmed.
“It’s odd that Scott didn’t speak of it, but I’m sure he can do no harm,” he replied quietly. “Stump is a peaceful, simple soul. Hasn’t sense enough to know how to harm anybody except himself. We are sure to get the arms to Kataafa, and the ‘black’ boys are now at Vaileli plantation.”