He did not have far to look. The long-nosed man was standing leaning against one side of the doorway of the salon. Yes, it was he, sure enough! He acted as if he was waiting, for when he saw Charley approaching, to pass, he smiled, and waved genially. "Well," he greeted, halting Charley. "So proud of your new clothes that you don't recognize old friends, eh? Come here." Charley boldly walked straight to him. The man's tone made him mad. "How are you?" answered Charley. "Taking a trip?" Mr. Jacobs squinted his eyes and wrinkled his long nose cunningly. "Y--yes," he drawled. "Taking a little trip." His breath smelled of liquor. "Suppose you're going to Californy, to look for that gold mine. Thought you'd give me the slip, did you?" "No," said Charley. "We didn't think anything about you, especial." "Oh, you didn't!" And the long-nosed man spat tobacco juice on the clean deck. "You reckoned on giving me the slip, though. But I've been watching you. Didn't I tell you I was half wild hoss and half alligator? What's to hinder me from going out to Californy, too?" "Nothing, I expect," replied Charley, his heart sinking. "Why? Are you?" The long-nosed man leered. "Maybe I am, and maybe I'm not. You go your trail and I'll go mine, but if they cross, look out. Half of that property belongs to me, remember--and half of that money you're using, too." "It doesn't, either," snapped Charley, angry, his spunk up. "And we aren't afraid of you; not a bit. Go on out to California, if you want to, but don't you bother us. And don't you bother my mother, or you'll get in trouble." He heard a familiar step, and the voice of his father. "Hello! This is the man, is it, after all?" "Hello, yourself," retorted Mr. Jacobs, glaring at him. "Maybe you think you own this boat." "Not a bit, sir," answered Mr. Adams, good-natured. "Maybe you think you can dictate where I travel." "No, sir. I expect to look after myself, and not after you." "Well said," approved the long-nosed man. "Now will you have a drink?" "I never use liquor, sir," returned Mr. Adams--and Charley was proud to hear him say it. "'D rather not drink with _me_, perhaps," sneered the long-nosed man. "I see no reason for drinking with you or at all, sir," sharply replied Mr. Adams. "Come on, Charley. We've got better business to tend to." "You have, have you?" called the long-nosed man, after them. "Maybe you think I don't know what it is. Maybe you think----" but they paid no more attention to him. Still, the meeting was not pleasant, and Charley heartily wished that the "J. Jacobs" had proved to some other Jacobs. IV A FRIEND IN NEED