If you wish to speak to me, said the other, trying in vain to conceal a trace of anxiety in his voice, its my duty to listen. What were you going to say just now?
The mate eyed him wrathfully, but as the pathetic figure with its wounded toe and cargo of remedies stood there waiting for him to speak, he suddenly softened.
Dont go back, old man, he said, kindly, shes aboard.
Eighteen pennyworth of mixture, to be taken thrice daily from tablespoons, spilled over the curb, and the skipper, thrusting the other packets mechanically into his pockets, disappeared hurriedly around the corner.
Its no use finding fault with me, said Fraser, quickly, as he stepped along beside him, so dont try it. They came down into the cabin before I knew they were aboard, even.
They? repeated the distressed Flower. Whos they?
The young woman that came before and a stout woman with a little dark moustache and earrings. Theyre going to wait until you come back to ask you a few questions about Mr. Robinson. Theyve been asking me a few. Ive locked the door of your state-room and heres the key.
Flower pocketed it and, after a little deliberation thanked him.
I did the best I could for you, said the other, with a touch of severity. If Id treated you as some men would have done, I should have just let you walk straight into the trap.
Flower gave an apologetic cough. Ive had a lot of worry lately, Jack, he said, humbly; come in and have something. Perhaps it will clear my head a bit.
I told em you wouldnt be back till twelve at least, said the mate, as Flower rapidly diagnosed his complaint and ordered whisky, perhaps not then, and that when you did turn up youd sure to be the worse for liquor. The old lady said shed wait all night for the pleasure of seeing your bonny face, and as for you being drunk, she said she dont suppose theres a woman in London that has had more experience with drunken men than she has.
Let this be a warning to you, Jack, said the skipper, solemnly, as he drained his glass and put it thoughtfully on the counter.
Dont you trouble about me, said Fraser; youve got all you can do to look after yourself. Ive come out to look for a policeman; at least, thats what I told them.
All the police in the world couldnt do me any good, sighed Flower. Poppys got tickets for a concert to-night, and I was going with her. I cant go like this.
Well, what are you going to do? enquired the other.
Flower shook his head and pondered. You go back and get rid of them the best way you can, he said, at length, but whatever you do, dont have a scene. Ill stay here till you come and tell me the coast is clear.
And suppose it dont clear? said Fraser.
Then Ill pick you up at Greenwich in the morning, said Flower.
And suppose theyre still aboard? said Fraser.
I wont suppose any such thing, said the other, hotly; if you cant get rid of two women between now and three in the morning, youre not much of a mate. If they catch me Im ruined, and youll be responsible for it.
The mate, staring at him blankly, opened his mouth to reply, but being utterly unable to think of anything adequate to the occasion, took up his glass instead, and, drinking off the contents, turned to the door. He stood for a moment at the threshold gazing at Flower as though he had just discovered points about him which had hitherto escaped his notice, and then made his way back to the wharf.
Theyre still down below, sir, said Joe, softly, as he stepped aboard, and making as free and as comfortable as though theyre going to stay a month.
Fraser shrugged his shoulders and went below. The appearance of the ladies amply confirmed Joes remark.
Never can find one when you want him, can you? said the elder lady, in playful allusion to the police.
Well, I altered my mind, said Fraser, amiably, I dont like treating ladies roughly, but if the capn comes on board and finds you here itll be bad for me, thats all.
What time do you expect him? enquired Miss Tipping.
Not before we sail at three in the morning. said the mate, glibly; perhaps not then. I often have to take the ship out without him. Hes been away six weeks at a stretch before now.
Well, well stay here till he does come, said the elder lady. Ill have his cabin, and my step-daughterll have to put up with your bed.
If youre not gone by the time we start, I shall have to have you put off, said Fraser.
Those of us who live longestll see the most, said Mrs. Tipping, calmly.
An hour or two passed, the mate sitting smoking with a philosophy which he hoped the waiting mariner at the Admiral Cochrane would be able to imitate. He lit the lamp at last, and going on deck, ordered the cook to prepare supper.
Mother and daughter, with feelings of gratitude, against which they fought strongly, noticed that the table was laid for three, and a little later, in a somewhat awkward fashion, they all sat down to the meal together.
Very good beef, said Mrs. Tipping, politely.
Very nice, said her daughter, who was ex-changing glances with the mate. I suppose youre very comfortable here, Mr. Fraser?
The mate sighed. Its all right when the old mans away, he said, deceitfully. Hes got a dreadful temper.
I hope you didnt get into trouble through my coming aboard the other night, said Miss Tipping, softly.
Dont say anything about it, replied the mate, eyeing her admiringly. Id do more than that for you, if I could.
Miss Tipping, catching her mothers eye, bestowed upon her a glance of complacent triumph.
You dont mind us coming down here, do you? she said, languishingly.
I wish youd live here, said the unscrupulous Fraser; but of course I know you only come here to try and see that fellow Robinson, he added, gloomily.
I like to see you, too, was the reply. I like you very much, as a friend.
The mate in a melancholy voice thanked her, and to the great annoyance of the cook, who had received strict orders from the forecastle to listen as much as he could, sat in silence while the table was cleared.
What do you say to a hand at cards? he said, after the cook had finally left the cabin.
Three-handed cribbage, said Mrs. Tipping, quickly; its the only game worth playing.
No objection being raised, the masterful lady drew closer to the table, and concentrating energies of no mean order on the game, successfully played hands of unvarying goodness, aided by a method of pegging which might perhaps be best described as dot and carry one.
You havent seen anything of this Mr. Robinson since you were here last, I suppose? said Fraser, noting with satisfaction that both ladies gave occasional uneasy glances at the clock.
No, an not likely to, said Mrs. Tipping; fifteen two, fifteen four, fifteen six, and a pairs eight.
Wheres the fifteen six? enquired Fraser, glancing over.
Eight and seven, said the lady, pitching the cards with the others and beginning to shuffle for the next deal.
Its very strange behaviour, said the mate; Robinson, I mean. Do you think hes dead?
No, I dont, said Mrs. Tipping, briefly. Wheres that captain of yours?
Fraser, whose anxiety was becoming too much for his play, leaned over the table as though about to speak, and then, apparently thinking better of it, went on with the game.
Eh? said Mrs. Tipping, putting her cards face downwards on the table and catching his eye. Where?
O, nowhere, said Fraser, awkwardly. I dont want to be dragged into this, you know. It isnt my business.
If you know where he is, why cant you tell us? asked Mrs. Tipping, softly. Theres no harm in that.
Whats the good? enquired Fraser, in a low voice; when youve seen the old man you wont be any forwarderhe wouldnt tell you anything even if he knew it.
Well, wed like to see him, said Mrs. Tipping, after a pause.
You see, you put me in a difficulty, said Fraser; if the skipper doesnt come aboard, youre going with us, I understand?
Mrs. Tipping nodded. Exactly, she said, sharply.
Thatll get me into trouble, if anything will, said the mate, gloomily. On the other hand, if I tell you where he is now, thatll get me into trouble, too.
He sat back and drummed on the table with his fingers. Well, Ill risk it, he said, at length; youll find him at 17, Beaufort Street, Bow.
The younger woman sprang excitedly to her feet, but Mrs. Tipping, eyeing the young man with a pair of shrewd, small eyes, kept her seat.
And while were going, how do we know the captn wont come back and go off with the ship? she enquired.
Fraser hesitated. Well, Ill come with you, if you like, he said, slowly.
And suppose they go away and leave you, behind? objected Mrs. Tipping.
Oh, well, youd better stay then, said the mate, wearily, unless we take a couple of the hands with us. How would that suit you? They cant sail with half a crew.
Mrs. Tipping, who was by no means as anxious for a sea voyage as she tried to make out, carefully pondered the situation. Im going to take an arm of each of em and Matildall take yours, she said, at length.
As you please, said Fraser, and in this way the procession actually started up the wharf, and looking back indignantly over its shoulder saw the watchman and Ben giving way to the most unseemly mirth, while the cook capered joyously behind them. A belated cab was passing the gate as they reached it, and in response to the mates hail pulled sharply up.
Mrs. Tipping, pushing her captives in first, stepped heavily into the cab followed by her daughter, while the mate, after a brief discussion, clambered onto the box.
Go on, he said, nodding.
Wot, aint the rest of you comin? enquired the cabman, eyeing the crowd at the gate, in pained surprise.
No. 17, Beaufort Street, Bow, said Mrs. Tipping, distinctly, as she put her head out of the window.
You could sit on er lap, continued the cabman, appealingly.
No reply being vouchsafed to this suggestion, he wrapped himself up in various rugs and then sat down suddenly before they could unwind themselves. Then, with a compassionate click to his horse, started up the road. Except for a few chance wayfarers and an occasional coffee-stall, the main streets were deserted, but they were noisy compared with Beaufort Street. Every house was in absolute darkness as the cab, with instinctive deference to slumber, crawled slowly up and down looking for No. 17.
It stopped at last, and the mate, springing down, opened the door, and handing out the ladies, led the way up a flight of steps to the street door.
Perhaps you wont mind knocking, he said to Mrs. Tipping, and dont forget to tell the capn Ive done this to oblige you because you insisted upon it.
Mrs. Tipping, seizing the knocker, knocked loud and long, and after a short interval repeated the performance. Somebody was heard stirring upstairs, and a deep voice cried out that it was coming, and peremptorily requested them to cease knocking.
Thats not Flowers voice, said Fraser.
Not loud enough, said Miss Tipping.
The bolts were drawn back loudly and the chain grated; then the door was flung open, and a big, red-whiskered man, blinking behind a candle, gruffly enquired what they meant by it.
Come inside, said Mrs. Tipping to her following.
Aint you come to the wrong house? demanded the red-whiskered man, borne slowly back by numbers.
I dont think so, said Mrs. Tipping, suavely; I want to see Captain Flower.
Well, youve come to the wrong house, said the red-whiskered man, shortly, theres no such name here.
Think, said Mrs. Tipping.
The red-whiskered man waved the candle to and fro until the passage was flecked with tallow.
Go away directly, he roared; how dare you come disturbing people like this?
You may just as well be pleasant over it, said Mrs. Tipping, severely; because we shant go away until we have seen him. After all, its got nothing to do with you.
We dont want anything to say to you, affirmed her daughter.
Willyougetoutofmyhouse? demanded the owner, wildly.
When weve seen Captn Flower, said Mrs. Tipping, calmly, and not a moment before. We dont mind your getting in a temper, not a bit. You cant frighten us.
The frenzied and reckless reply of the red-whiskered man was drowned in the violent slamming of the street-door, and he found himself alone with the ladies. There was a yell of triumph outside, and the sounds of a hurried scramble down the steps. Mrs. Tipping, fumbling wildly at the catch of the door, opened it just in time to see the cabman, in reply to the urgent entreaties of the mate, frantically lashing his horse up the road.
So far, so good, murmured the mate, as he glanced over his shoulder at the little group posing on the steps. Ive done the best I could, but I suppose therell be a row.
The watchman, with the remainder of the crew, in various attitudes of expectant curiosity, were waiting to receive them at the wharf. A curiosity which increased in intensity as the mate, slamming the gate, put the big bar across and turned to the watchman.
Dont open that to anybody till were off, he said, sharply. Capn Flower has not turned up yet, I suppose?
No, sir, said Ben.
They went aboard the schooner again, and the mate, remaining on deck, listened anxiously for the return of the redoubtable Mrs. Tipping, occasionally glancing over the side in expectation of being boarded from the neighbouring stairs; but with the exception of a false alarm caused by two maddened seamen unable to obtain admittance, and preferring insulting charges of somnolency against the watchman, the time passed quietly until high water. With the schooner in midstream slowly picking her way through the traffic, any twinges of remorse that he might have had for the way he had treated two helpless women left him, and he began to feel with his absent commander some of the charm which springs from successful wrong-doing.
CHAPTER VII
He brought up off Greenwich in the cold grey of the breaking day. Craft of all shapes and sizes were passing up and down, but he looked in vain for any sign of the skipper. It was galling to him as a seaman to stay there with the wind blowing freshly down the river; but over an hour elapsed before a yell from Tim, who was leaning over the bows, called his attention to a watermans skiff, in the stern of which sat a passenger of somewhat dejected appearance. He had the air of a man who had been up all night, and in place of returning the hearty and significant greeting of the mate, sat down in an exhausted fashion on the cabin skylight, and eyed him in stony silence until they were under way again.