Dick Hamilton's Steam Yacht; Or, A Young Millionaire and the Kidnappers — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
Dick Hamilton's Steam Yacht; Or, A Young Millionaire and the Kidnappers
John Stuart Mill · en
"I should say we had," admitted the crabbed old man, with a look of
anguish, as his hand felt of a wallet in his coat. "And expenses going
on something frightful all the while. Never mind, I'll take it out of my
Nephew Richard's money, that's what I'll do. I hoped we could catch him
in Havana. Why didn't you?" and the old man looked reproachfully at
those whom he had hired to do the risky work.
"Didn't have no chance," murmured Guy Fletcher. "But we'll get him now."
"I hope so, and end this terrible expense I'm under," went on Mr.
Larabee. "Better start the ship, Ike. No use burning coal, and standing
still."
With ill-concealed contempt for their employer, the two men went to give
the necessary orders, and soon the _Princess_ was following Dick's yacht
up the harbor. There were so many vessels moving to and fro that there
was little danger of detection.
All unconscious of the nearness of his uncle, and the unscrupulous men
and youths whom Mr. Larabee had engaged, Dick and his chums went ashore
as soon as the _Albatross_ was docked.
"Well, it certainly feels good to be on dry land again," remarked Beeby,
as he got his camera ready for some snapshots. "I hope I get some good
pictures."
"And I hope I find those people I'm searching for," said Dick. "Say, if
you fellows will amuse yourselves a bit, I'll look up this other
lawyer," he went on. "I guess it will take him about a week to get
started, and the sooner I begin the quicker I'll be through."
"I guess we'll have some cocoanut milk for a change," suggested Paul
Drew, when Dick had ridden away in a dilapidated carriage, toward the
lawyer's office, and the cadet led the others into a place where a
specialty was made of cocoanut milk, drawn directly from the fruit, the
top of which the clerk sliced off with a big knife, not unlike a
_machete_ in shape.
"Fine!" gurgled Henry Darby, as the delicious beverage trickled down his
throat.
"Dandy!" was the opinion of the others.
They strolled about the city, and after an hour of sightseeing, Beeby
proposed that they go down to the dock, where Dick had agreed to meet
them on his return from the lawyer's office.
As the lads approached the pier, Henry, who was in the lead, called out:
"Why, there's Dick now, waiting for us."
The others looked, and saw a lad of exactly Dick's build and height
gazing at them. And, what is more, his features bore a strong
resemblance to those of the young millionaire. But a glance at his
clothes showed that they were not such as were worn by our hero.
"That isn't Dick," said Beeby.
"That's so, but it looked an awful sight like him," agreed the young
iron merchant, with a laugh. "I beg your pardon," he added, for the
youth had seen the attention paid to him.