Part 23 (1/2)
”I know it, Ben. He says Jack resembles his brother Walter.”
”Maybe he dun nebber had a brudder Walter.”
”Evidently you do not believe him?”
”No, I don't.”
”Where did you meet him?”
”He c.u.m to de boathouse, and got me to row him ober to de wrack.”
”You took him there. What did he want at the wreck?”
”I dunno dat, missus. He tole me to go away fer an hour or so. He went below in de wrack, out ob sight.”
”Perhaps he was after something belonging to the past. Did he bring anything away with him?”
”I aint suah about dat, missus. When I rowed him ash.o.r.e he had a tin box hidden away under his coat, but he might have had dat when I took him ober.”
”How large a box?”
”About dis size,” and Ben held out his hands.
”He wouldn't be likely to take such a box to the wreck with him. He must have found it on the s.h.i.+p,” went on Mrs. Ruthven, with interest.
”Where could he find it, missus? De folks around yeah has tuk everyt'ing off dat wrack long ago.”
”Perhaps not. To tell the truth, Ben, I do not like that man's manner at all.”
”No more do I, missus. He's got a bad eye, he has,” responded the colored man warmly.
”If you see him again, Ben, I wish you would watch him closely.”
”I will do it, missus. Yo' can trust Ole Ben.”
”You may be able to learn something important.”
”If I do, I'll bring de news to yo' directly, missus.”
”Perhaps you had better follow him now,” went on Mrs. Ruthven suddenly.
”If he goes to the battlefield, you can come back.”
”I will, missus,” and in a moment more Ben was off.
Meanwhile Marion had gone up to Jack's room and knocked on the door. At first there was no answer, and the girl knocked again.
”Who is it?” came in a half-choked voice.