"Huh!" Mr. Hudner snorted. "I'd like to know what the devil Cappy
Ricks wants of my Unicorn when he's got her infernal sister squatting
in the mud of Oakland Creek? There's something rotten in Denmark, Mr.
Peasley. There always is when that old scoundrel Ricks does
incomprehensible things."
"Very likely he's up to some skullduggery, sir," Matt opined.
"I wish you had informed me of the identity of your client, Mr.
Peasley," Hudner complained. "I don't like to sign this charter."
"I cannot help that now, sir," Matt retorted. "You have agreed in
writing to charter the vessel to any responsible person I might bring
to you, and I guess the Blue Star Navigation Company comes under that
head."
Mr. Hudner sighed and gritted his teeth. Instinct told him there was
deviltry afoot, but in an evil moment he had sewed himself up and he
had no alternative now save to complete the contract or stand suit.
So he signed the charter party and retained the original, while Matt
Peasley, with the duplicate in his pocket, hastened back to Cappy
Ricks' office.
"Matt," said Cappy approvingly, "you're a born business man, and it
will be strange indeed if you don't pick up a nice little piece of
money on this Unicorn deal." He glanced at his watch and then turned
to his daughter.
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