The Mystery of Monastery Farm by H. R. Naylor
page 39 of 106 (36%)
page 39 of 106 (36%)
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received with customary good will. One man in particular seemed much
pleased to see him. He was sitting alone at a small table, sipping coffee and at intervals emitting a cloud of smoke from a half-smoked cigar. Shaking hands with Worth, he said, as he offered his cigar case: "Mr. Worth, I'm glad to meet you again. I haven't seen you for more than a year. Won't you join me in a cup of this delightful beverage?" "Thank you, Captain," responded Worth. "I shall be delighted. We haven't met, I believe, since we crossed the water together three years ago." "That is so," replied the captain, as Worth sat down. Captain Johnson was the captain and part owner of a large merchant ship, and had arrived the day before from New Orleans. "How does it happen, Captain," asked Job, as he lighted his cigar, "that you come from New Orleans? Your trip used to be New York and London." "Yes," replied the captain, "that was my trip up to about three years ago. I now make alternate trips to New York and New Orleans. There is more money in it for the company." "I think you still carry a few passengers?" "Yes; a little more than a year ago three young fellows prevailed upon me to carry them across. About that time I enlarged my cabin, and since then I have been carrying from four to twenty passengers each trip." When the captain spoke of carrying to New York three passengers a year before Worth became quietly interested. Accordingly, he inquired who the |
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