“You will,” replied the other.

“Right,” said Hank. “Now will you take a66 rag and clean the engine for two minutes while I have a talk to my friend here in private.”

66

He led the way out and came back.

“Well,” said he, “what do you think of that guy?”

“I like him,” said George.

“I like him well enough,” said Hank, “Question is about his story. It seems plain enough. He’s come up with a crew of hoodlums who’ve been in touch with Vanderdecken, they’ve been hunting for old man Vanderdecken’s boodle. Nothing doing. Then they’ve left the hunt and put in here. They had big suspicions he was in the know and wanted the boodle for himself. He’s only been let ashore with a nurse and he’s given her the slip. It’s all plain. Then Providence comes in, which is us. Seems extraordinary, don’t it? Barrett advertising us like that and all, for here we are, a sure bolt-hole for him, advertised bigger than Heinz’s Pickles.”

“How do you mean a bolt-hole?”

“Well, look at it. Those crooks are after him like a coyote after a prairie dog. He’s got to get out of here, he might get out in a foc’sle if he wasn’t knifed before the ship sailed, but that wouldn’t lead him anywhere except maybe round Cape Horn, whereas he gets a lift back down the coast to where he knows the Dutchman has hid the boodle and he gets five thousand dollars in his fist and a set ashore. Then Providence comes67 in again, seems to me. I reckoned I’d have to spend five thousand on this expedition and between Tyrebuck and Barrett it won’t cost me a cent, bar the hire of four Chinks for crew, so I can easy afford to pay him five thousand and come out winners. Besides, he’s an extra hand himself and a good sailor man, if I’m any judge.”

67

“It does seem all to fit in,” said George.

“Well, shall we take him?” said Hank. “It’s a risk, but I reckon we’ve got to take risks.”

“Take him,” said George.

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