CHAPTER V
MR. MODDRIDGE’S NERVES CUT LOOSE
UP in Mr. Delavan’s suite of rooms Eben Moddridge paced the floor ingreat excitement. For Captain Tom Halstead had just finished his storyof the night’s queer happening.
Francis Delavan, on the other hand, drew slowly, easily, at his cigar,his outward composure not in the least ruffled.
Yet, at the outset, Moddridge had been the one to doubt the young motorboat skipper’s strange yarn. Delavan, on the other hand, had believedit implicitly. At the end the nervous smaller man was also a believer.
“Frank,” declared Eben Moddridge, “this is a simply atrocious state ofaffairs. There is a plot against us, and a desperate, well-organizedone.”
“Let them plot, then,” smiled Delavan. “It’s all right, since we arewarned. Yet, Halstead, I’m just a bit disappointed that you didn’tpretend to fall in with the schemes of your strangers. You would havelearned more of what is planned against us.”
“I don’t believe they intended to tell me anything definite, sir,”Captain Tom answered, slowly. “They spoke of a signal, on seeing whichI was to pretend that the ‘Rocket’ was disabled and unable to proceed.I have an idea, Mr. Delavan, that all their other instructions wouldhave been as vague, as far as real information is concerned.”
“I dare say you are right, my boy,” nodded the “Rocket’s” owner. “Youdid best, after all, no doubt. I must confess myself puzzled, though.Your descriptions of the two men don’t fit any possible enemies that Ican call to mind.”
“They were most likely agents, acting for someone else, don’t youthink, Mr. Delavan?”
“Undoubtedly, captain.”
“Frank,” broke in Eben Moddridge, in a shaking voice, as he halted,looking the picture of nervous breakdown, “you must engage detectivesinstantly.”
“Nonsense, Eben,” retorted his friend.
“Or at least, two or three strong, daring men who will remain with you,to defend you against any possible attack.”
Mr. Delavan laughed heartily.
“Eben,” he demanded, “what on earth ails you?”
“Oh, I am so nervous!” moaned the other. “I see dangers, horrors, aheadof us!”
Francis Delavan grinned. Then, noting the ashen-gray look on hisfriend’s face, he stepped over, walking with the nervous one and layinga kindly hand on the other’s shoulder.
“Eben, you always let yourself get unduly excited. What you need, justnow, is a good, sound night’s sleep.”
“Sleep?” shuddered the nervous one. “I couldn’t think of it. Mynerves——”
“You’ve let them cut loose again, Eben, and make life a burden to you.There’s no need of it.”
“But you know, Frank, the big money deals we’re engaged in. You knowwell that some men would give their souls to possess our information,both that which we have and expect to get.”
“True, perhaps,” admitted Mr. Delavan, nodding. “But the only way theyhave tried to reach us is through the bribing of our young captain.Halstead and his friends can’t be bribed, so the rascals can’t hope todo anything. I have full faith in our crew.”
“Something terrible is almost certain to happen, just the same,”insisted Mr. Moddridge, his voice quaking.
“Oh, nonsense, man! Go to sleep. Your nerves need rest.”
“Laugh at me,” muttered Moddridge, his face now showing a sickly smile.“But the day will come soon, Frank, when you will wish you had listenedto me.”
“But haven’t I listened to you?” inquired Mr. Delavan, with amock-injured air. “Eben, are you going to be disappointed because Iwon’t let my nerves rule me, too?”
“I wish your nerves did get the upper hand once in a while,” groanedthe smaller man. “Then you’d know what I feel. I tell you, Frank, theimmediate future looks dark—dark!”
Mr. Delavan laughed jovially.
“Something fearfully unfortunate is going to happen,” insisted the manof nerves.
“Something very unfortunate,” assented Delavan. “We’re going to addsomething in the way of millions to our fortunes, and those millionswill have to be looked after. Eben, a rich man’s lot isn’t a happy one,is it?”
“Happy?” groaned Moddridge. “I should say not.”
“Then I’ll tell you what to do,” proposed Mr. Delavan. “Turn yourmiserable fortune over to Halstead, and then sit by to watch him goingto pieces with worry.”
Mr. Moddridge, however, refused to be comforted, or to take a humorousview of anything.
“Halstead,” said Mr. Delavan, going over and resting a hand on theyoung captain’s shoulder, “I don’t expect to need the ‘Rocket’ for anypurpose to-morrow, but I can’t tell definitely yet. Go back on board.To-morrow keep all hands on board or close by, so that you can takethe boat out if needed. Enjoy yourselves all you can. Eat the bestthat you can find aboard. Don’t bother about to-night’s happenings—myfriend, Moddridge, will attend to all of that. If it happens that you,or Dawson, are approached again by strangers, let them think that youmight be induced to fall in with their plans, after all, and then youcan let me know what follows. Moddridge and I are playing a peculiarand big game with the money market, and I’ve no doubt that others wouldlike to steal or bribe their way into it. But I trust you. Good night,my boy.”
So Captain Tom strolled back to the pier, thinking over a good manythings. As he came in sight of the “Rocket” at her berth he noted thatthe only lights showing were one deck light, aft, and the gleam thatcame through the port-holes of the crew’s quarters forward. It lookedas though Joe Dawson and Jed Prentiss had turned in for the night, orwere about to do so.
One of the small Shinnecock Bay freight boats lay in at the other sideof the same pier. A good many cases and barrels were piled up, asthough awaiting shipment. Captain Tom stepped over to his own side ofthe pier, still thinking intently.
Just as the young skipper turned toward the “Rocket’s” gang-plank aheavy object came up over one of the freight piles, flying through theair. Some instinct of danger made young Halstead leap aside. Bump! Aniron hitching weight struck the gang-plank with a bang.
For just an instant Captain Tom stood gazing at that heavy missilealmost in a daze.
“That was aimed at my legs. The intention must have been to crippleme!” leaped to his lips.
Then, in a lustier voice, he roared:
“Joe! Jed! Tumble out on deck! lively, now!”
The Motor Boat Club off Long Island; or, A Daring Marine Game at Racing Speed Page 5
