Part 20 (1/2)
”Dugan and Alderson,” I added.
”Seven. Any more?”
”Our steward. Phillips is his name.”
”Sure, Miss Wallace?”
”He's the most harmless creature on earth.”
The captain smiled.
”Afraid he won't be of much use to us then. We want harmful men. But count him. That makes eight for us, nine against us, six doubtful. We'll do very nicely.”
”And there's the cook. He's so fat and good-natured he must be all right,” Evelyn suggested.
”By Jove! I'd forgotten 'Arry 'Iggins. No, he's against us. He talked to my man Morgan.”
”And I suppose his flunky, Billie Blue, goes with cookie?” I added.
”The nine against us is now eleven,” the girl said quietly.
I spoke cheerfully, which is far from how I felt.
”Oh, well, what's the odds? Nine or eleven, we'll beat them.”
A steamer rug lying on a lounge at the end of the room heaved itself up.
From its folds emerged the red head of Jimmie, belligerently. Its owner had evidently been roused from a nap.
”Where do I get off at I'd like to know?” demanded the indignant namesake of a martyred President. ”Didn't I run down his nibs for you in 'Frisco and wise you where he was staying? Didn't I find out he was aboard here? Why ain't you countin' me in?”
Blythe a.s.sented gravely, but with a twinkle in his eye.
”Our error, Jimmie. Counting you we have nine good men and true.”
”One of Jimmie's strong points is that he doesn't talk. He knows how to keep his mouth shut. Don't you, Jimmie?”
”Sure thing, Mr. Sedgwick. I'm a clam, I am.”
I nodded.
”Then run along and keep an eye on things outside. If you see anything suspicious, let me know at once.”
”Yes, sir. You bet you.” And the boy was off at the word.
”Couldn't we put back to San Diego?” Miss Wallace asked.
The captain shook his head.
”No. If I turned the s.h.i.+p's head they would be about our ears like rats.”