Not a word of Tommy's
eloquence had missed him, and he now faced suddenly
about with these amazing words--
"Excuse me, gentlemen; if you'll buy me the ship I
want, I'll get you the trade on credit."
There was a pause.
"Well, what do YOU, mean?" gasped Tommy.
"Better tell 'em who I am, Billy," said the cabman.
"Think it safe, Joe?" inquired Mr. Bostock.
"I'll take my risk of it," returned the cabman.
"Gentlemen," said Bostock, rising suddenly, "let me
make you acquainted with Captain Wicks of the GRACE
DARLING."
"Yes, gentlemen, that is what I am," said the cab-man.
"You know I've been in trouble, and I don't deny but
what I struck the blow, and where was I to get evidence
of my provocation? So I turned to and took a cab, and
I've driven one for three year now, and nobody the
wiser."
"I beg your pardon," said Carthew, joining almost for
the first time, "I'm a new chum. What was the charge?"
"Murder," said Captain Wicks, "and I don't deny but
what I struck the blow. And there's no sense in my
trying to deny I was afraid to go to trial, or why
would I be here? But it's a fact it was flat mutiny.
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