go to sea. Before, he have big business in San Francisco. Then he
get much trouble--police. They say he opium smuggle. Oh, big, big
trouble. But he catch good lawyer. He no go to jail. But long time
lawyer work, and when trouble all finish lawyer got all his business,
all his money, everything. Then he go to sea, like before. He make
good money. He get sixty-five dollars a month on this ship. But he
don't like. Crew all crazy. When this time finish he leave ship, go
back start business in San Francisco."

Later, when I had Wada open one of the ports for ventilation, I could
hear the gurgle and swish of water alongside, and I knew the anchor
was up and that we were in the grip of the Britannia, towing down the
Chesapeake to sea. The idea suggested itself that it was not too
late. I could very easily abandon the adventure and return to
Baltimore on the Britannia when she cast off the Elsinore. And then
I heard a slight tinkling of china from the pantry as the steward
proceeded to set the table, and, also, it was so warm and
comfortable, and George Moore was so irritatingly fascinating.



CHAPTER VII



In every way dinner proved up beyond my expectations, and I
registered a note that the cook, whoever or whatever he might be, was
a capable man at his trade. Miss West served, and, though she and
the steward were strangers, they worked together splendidly. I
should have thought, from the smoothness of the service, that he was