You sported your pocket-book too freely
last night, when you were paying for the punch. I saw the landlord spot
the notes and gold, and I haven't trusted myself to sleep too soundly
all night, for fear there should be any attempt at foul play."
"You're a good fellow, Joyce; but though you've pluck enough for twenty
in a storm at sea, you're as timid as a baby at home."
"I'm like a dog, captain--I can smell danger when it threatens those I
love. Hark! what's that?"
They were going down stairs quietly, in the darkness of the early
spring morning. The clerk's quick ear caught the sound of a stealthy
footstep; and in the next minute they were face to face with a man who
was ascending the narrow stairs.
"You're early astir, Mr. Wayman," said Joyce Harker, recognizing the
landlord of the 'Jolly Tar'.
"And so are you, for the matter of that," answered the host.
"My captain is off by an early coach, and I'm going to walk to the
office with him," returned Joyce.
"Off by an early coach, is he? Then, if he can stop to drink it, I'll
make him a cup of coffee."
"You're very good," answered Joyce, hastily; "but you see, the captain
hasn't time for that, if he's going to catch the coach."
"Are you going into the country for long, captain?" asked the landlord.
"Well, no; not for long, mate; for I've got an appointment to keep in
this house, on the fifth of April, with a brother of mine, who's
homeward-bound from Barbadoes.
Pages:
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28