As soon as the light filled the apartment, Hornblower looked over at the
two forms stretched out in the hammocks, and asked in a whisper,--
"Are they asleep?"
The sailor leaned over each in turn, and carefully surveyed the features
and listened to the breathing.
"Yes; they don't know any more than a couple of logs."
"I wouldn't have the boy overhear us for the world."
"There ain't any danger of that."
Thus believing, the two men talked business straight along.
"It won't do to stay here any longer," said Hornblower.
"Why not?"
"Because it's dangerous; you was such a fool yesterday as to allow the boy
on deck when the officer was there, and he couldn't help noticing him."
"But they didn't speak to each other, and if the officer had suspected
anything he would have showed it."
"Maybe he would and maybe he wouldn't; you must know that the boy's
photograph has been scattered over the country, and he is likely to be
recognized by any countryman."
"How are you making out with the negotiations?"
"It all looks well enough, if you don't spoil it by your tomfoolery. I
should not have been surprised to find you had allowed him to go ashore to
look around a little.
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