He had learned enough to realize
that Cappy's bank roll was threatened by this man from Seattle; that
with his defenses leveled, as it were, the old gentleman would prove
an easy victim unless warned of the impending attack.
Therefore, since Matt had not sought Mr. Hayes' confidence nor
accepted it under a pledge of secrecy, he decided that there could be
nothing unethical in taking advantage of it. Plainly the broker had
jumped to the conclusion that Matt was a common sailor--above the
average in point of intelligence, but so young and unsophisticated
that one need not bother to be reserved or cautious in his presence.
Some vague understanding of this had come to Matt Peasley; hence
throughout the remainder of the journey his conversations with the
broker bore on every other subject under heaven except ships and
shipowners.
CHAPTER XXII
FACE TO FACE
In his private office Cappy Ricks sat on his spine, with his old legs
on his desk and his head sunk forward on his breast. His eyes were
closed; to the casual observer he would have appeared to be dozing.
Any one of his employees, however, would have known Cappy was merely
thinking. It was his habit to close his eyes and sit very still
whenever he faced a tussle with a tough proposition.
Presently an unmistakably feminine kiss, surreptitiously delivered,
roused Cappy from his meditations.
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