"Oh, I'm Captain Peasley, of the Blue Star Navigation Company," he
replied lightly, and was granted admittance as the courtesy accorded
all sea captains. He knew Cappy Ricks always spent an hour on 'Change
after luncheon at the Commercial Club. When Cappy met him, however,
the old man was mean enough to pay not the slightest attention to
Matt; so after waiting round for three-quarters of an hour longer, the
latter left the Exchange and walked down California Street, where he
posted himself in the shelter of a corner half a block south of No.
258, where the Blue Star Navigation Company had its offices. From
this vantage point presently he spied Cappy trotting home from the
Merchants' Exchange; whereupon Matt strolled leisurely up the street
and met him. And in order that Cappy should realize whom he was
meeting Matt bumped into the schemer and then begged his pardon
profusely.
"Don't mention it, Matt," the old rascal protested. "You shook up a
flock of ideas in my head and jarred one loose. If you haven't
anything on to-night, my boy, better come out to the house and have
dinner with me. I'm all alone and I want company."
"Thank you, sir," Matt replied enthusiastically; "I'll be glad to
come."
"You bet you will," Cappy thought. Aloud he said: "At six-thirty.
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