Part 27 (2/2)
”And here is a telegram from my dad,” said Phil. ”He tells us-Captain Sanders and myself-to use our own judgment.”
”Can you get a cargo for Barbados, Phil?” asked Roger.
”We can get a half-cargo.”
”At once?”
”Yes, that is, inside of two days.”
”Then by all means take it, Phil!” cried Dave. ”I know Mr. Wadsworth will stand the extra expense. And if he won't, I know my father will.”
”Where is your Uncle Dunston?” questioned the s.h.i.+powner's son.
”He's out on a little business trip. He got a telegram from New York that upset him somewhat. I hope it isn't anything serious,” added Dave, soberly.
The boys rushed off to talk the matter over with Captain Sanders. They found the master of the vessel at the s.h.i.+pping office, talking over the matter of a cargo for Barbados.
”Four men want to take pa.s.sage with us, if we go,” said the captain.
”That will help pay for the trip, since they are willing to pay good pa.s.sage money.”
”We want you to take that half-cargo,” said Phil, and explained matters.
”All right, if you say so,” answered Captain Sanders. ”But you had better speak to Mr. Porter about it first.”
Half an hour later Dunston Porter came driving up in a cab. He was plainly excited.
”I've got to go to New York at once,” he said. ”I must look after some valuable investments in Wall Street. Do you think you boys can get along alone?”
”I think we can, Uncle Dunston,” answered Dave. ”You know we are used to taking care of ourselves,” and he smiled faintly.
”Then go ahead and do as you think best.”
”We want Captain Sanders to start for Barbados as soon as he can,”
went on our hero, and told of the telegrams received.
A general talk followed, lasting until Dunston Porter had to ride away to catch the train for New York.
”You must be right, and Merwell and Jasniff must be guilty,” he said.
”And if they are, spare no expense in catching them. I think the quicker you start for Barbados the better. And as soon as you arrive do your best to locate the rascals and have the authorities arrest them. And above all things, keep your eyes open for the jewels, for we need them much more than we need to catch Merwell and Jasniff. To catch the rascals and miss the gems will do us no good.”
”I understand, Uncle Dunston,” answered Dave. ”And if the jewels are anywhere around we'll locate them.”
”Then good-by and good luck!” finished Dunston Porter, and in a minute more he was off.
As soon as he was gone the boys and Captain Sanders commenced preparations for the trip to Barbados. An extra number of longsh.o.r.emen were engaged, so that the half-cargo to be taken along could be gotten aboard quickly, and the boys spent their time in buying such things as they needed for the trip.
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