Part 28 (1/2)
”What in the world is going on aboard this boat?” asked the officer, as he looked from Pearl to Dory, and then from Dory to Pearl, unable to understand the appearance of things on board. ”What have you got cooped up in that cuddy?”
”I thought you wanted Dory Dornwood. Why don't you take him, and not waste any more of your time and mine?” said Pearl impatiently.
”Captain Gildrock wants to see you very much, Theodore, and there is a place in my boat for you.”
”I don't care about going in your boat, and I shall not go on board of the Sylph if I can help myself,” replied Dory stoutly.
”There he is again!” exclaimed Pearl, as he glanced at the boat that contained Captain Gildrock. ”He is a mule, a sulky dog. If you want him, I will pitch him into your boat for you, and make an end of this business.”
Pearl leaped upon the forward deck, intent upon putting his threat into execution. But, as he went up on the starboard side, Dory leaped down into the standing-room on the port side. Pearl followed him, and seemed to have a hope, that, if he could drive Dory into the boat, he might get rid of his troublesome visitors.
”Don't you meddle with the boy, officer,” said Peppers through the hole in the door; ”and don't you let that man meddle with him.”
”What does all this mean? Why are you in there? Why don't you come out?”
Before Peppers could explain, the port boat came alongside, and Captain Gildrock stepped on board the Goldwing.
CHAPTER XXIV.
THROUGH VARIED STRIFE AND STRUGGLES.
Captain Royal Gildrock was not over forty-five years of age. He was dressed in the uniform of his yacht. He was a good-looking man, of middling height, and rather stout. A single glance at his face would have a.s.sured any one skilled in reading expressions that he was a person of great force of character.
”What's going on here, Mr. Jepson?” said he, as he glanced curiously about the Goldwing.
”That is what I was trying to find out when you came on board, sir,”
replied Mr. Jepson. ”Theodore and the man in charge of the boat appear to be at sword's points, and there are two men in the cuddy who seem to be fastened in there.”
”What does all this mean?” asked Captain Gildrock. And it was apparent now that he was the owner of the gruff voice.
”I will tell you all about it, sir,” replied Peppers, taking this duty upon himself.
”I shall be glad to know, for the skipper of the boat has behaved in the most unaccountable manner.”
Dory had retreated to the forward deck again when his uncle came on board, though the captain did not seem to be such a terrible man as one might have supposed from the conduct of his nephew. He desired to keep as far as possible from his uncle.
”I wish you would let me out of this place before I tell the story,”
suggested the detective.
”Why don't you come out if you wish to do so?” asked Captain Gildrock.
”We are locked in. Hawlinshed took the key away from Dory Dornwood by force, and has kept us prisoners ever since. It isn't a bad place; but it is rather confined for a long stay,” added Peppers.
”But I didn't lock them in there,” added Pearl. ”That was done by Dory.”
”Have you the key?” asked the captain, turning to Pearl.