“You left the skylight unfastened, and I got in that way. I did not mean to steal any thing. I was robbed of all the money I had, and wanted a place to sleep. I didn’t think it would do any harm to any one if I slept in this vessel.” In reply to the steward’s questions he told him as much as he pleased of his story. “I didn’t tell the captain how I got into the yacht, because I knew it would get you into a scrape,” he added. “All I want is to get out of the vessel.” “You have done me a good turn, my lad; and I won’t forget it. But I don’t know that I can do any thing to help you. The captain is one of those men you can’t reason with,” replied Pollish. “I don’t care about taking the licking he promised me. Can’t you hide me in some other place till the yacht gets back to New York?” asked Wade. “I don’t know: I will try,” replied Pollish. At this moment Mr. Wallgood called the stowaway, and he went out into the cabin. CHAPTER XXIII. IMMENSE RICHES. Wade had a full view of the cabin for the first time when the cashier called him into this apartment. It was very elegantly fitted up; and he wondered if the beautiful vessel belonged to Capt. Bendig. Pollish afterwards told him that she was the property of a wealthy gentleman, and that Capt. Bendig was only the sailing-master. The owner had gone into the country for a few weeks, and the skipper was making a dollar on his own account by the present excursion. He was to receive five hundred dollars for the use of the vessel and for his own services; and each of the men on board was to have one hundred dollars for his work and his secrecy, especially for the latter. “What is your name, my boy?” asked Mr. Wallgood, when Wade presented himself in the cabin. “Wade Brooks,” replied the stowaway; and he felt sure the cashier had never even heard the name. “I suppose you live in New York.” “I lived there yesterday.” “Where do you live to-day?” “I live here.” “But where is your home?” “I haven’t any home. My father and mother are both dead.” “What are you doing in this vessel?” Wade told him how he happened to be in the yacht. All he wanted was to get back to New York. “What are you going to do in New York?” asked Mr. Wallgood. “I want to get something to do, so that I can earn my own living.” “Have you any money to pay your board till you get work?” “Not a cent: I had some money, but it was stolen from me,” replied Wade, giving the details of his experience. “You would like some money, wouldn’t you?” “I should; but I don’t want it bad enough to steal it,” replied Wade; and perhaps he did not mean to cast any reflections on the past conduct of the cashier. “Perhaps you heard something that was said in the cabin early this morning?” continued the defaulter, beginning to approach the subject that worried him. “Perhaps I did,” replied Wade cautiously. “What did you hear?”