The _Aphrodite_ was spinning
down the Gulf of Suez late next day, under all her snowy spread of
sail, when Royson went aloft to assure himself that a stiff pulley on
the fore yard was in good working order. He found that it needed a
slight readjustment, and the alteration, was troublesome owing to the
strain of a steady breeze. He persevered, put matters right, and was
climbing down to the deck when, through the foresail, he heard voices
discussing none other than himself.
Mrs. Haxton and von Kerber had strolled, forward, and were leaning over
the side of the ship, never dreaming that the man they were talking of
was within a few feet of them above their heads, though hidden by the
sail.
"I was exceedingly surprised to find that he was not sent ashore with
the pilot at Suez," the lady was saying. "No matter what his present
position may be, he is a baronet's nephew and prospective heir it would
seem. It is sheer madness on your part to keep a man like him on
board."
"But I tell you that I asked Stump to discharge him, and met with a
blank refusal," replied the Baron irritably.
Pages:
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140