“Yes. The owners were very angry that he did not have those repairs made at La Guayra, where they would have been cheaper, it seems, than here. Then they read the note that we signed, and Captain Sudlip got his walking papers. I heard afterward that the owners were tired of him as it was. But of course he lays the blame of his discharge on us. We may have to----” “Here comes Hockley!” broke in Darry. He pointed up the street and all looked in that direction. It was the lank youth sure enough, but so haggard, ragged and dirty that they scarcely recognized him. He did not see them until he was close at hand and then he started and flushed guiltily. “Hockley, what does this mean?” demanded Professor Strong, but his voice was not particularly harsh, for he saw that the big youth had suffered. “Oh, I’m so glad to get back,” said the truant, when he could speak. “I’m nearly dead, sir.” “Where have you been?” “It’s all that Captain Sudlip’s fault, sir. He got me in a regular box,” whined Hockley. Then he looked at Sam and Darry. “I thought he--he carried you off, too.” “He didn’t carry us off. We tried to follow you, after you wrote that you were in trouble and wanted us to come.” “I didn’t write any such note.” “You didn’t!” burst out Sam and Darry, simultaneously. “No, I didn’t. I wrote a note for Captain Sudlip, but it wasn’t that.” “What was it?” At first Hockley did not want to answer this question, but he finally admitted that he had written a note stating that Captain Sudlip had treated him first-class while on the _Chester_ and that he was satisfied the captain was a good man. He did not add that he had also written that there was a plot against the captain, hatched out, shortly after leaving Kingston harbor, by Professor Strong, and the second mate. “I had to write the note. The captain had me a prisoner and he threatened me in all sorts of ways,” concluded Hockley. Again there was a conference, and it was decided that they no longer needed the services of Isabel Valois, although the young lady said she would place her carriage at their disposal as long as they wished it. “You must surely call on me before you leave Havana,” said she. “I wish to hear the end of this adventure,” and Sam and Darry promised. On the way to the hotel at which the party were stopping Hockley told his story in detail only leaving out the fact that he had been drinking and that when he left the café it had been with the intention of seeking amusement at some low theater.