Captain,â Max said quietly, beckoning the captain to move closer. âItâs urgent that I know. Will we be in Nassau on time?â
The captain looked grave. âWell, I didnât want to alarm the whole ship, but weâve had another problem with the engine,â the captain told Max in hushed tones. âWe canât travel at the usual speed. So weâll be delayed another couple of days.â
Benny glanced at Jessie and smiled. Now he knew what sheâd whispered to the Captain and Max.
Henry smiled, too. Jessie had told the cap tain to fib a littleâto tell Max thereâd be a delay, when truthfully the ship was right on time. And to say it just loud enough for Tom to overhear.
Violet watched Tom. He was leaning closer to hear the captainâs words. She saw a nasty grin light up his face. Tom glanced at Max to see how he took the news.
âIsnât there anything you can do?â Max asked.
âNo, Iâm afraid not,â the captain said.
When Max excused himself abruptly and left the table, Tom almost laughed aloud. He didnât realize that Max was only pretending to be upset. Everything was going according to Jessieâs plan. The captain had played his part perfectly.
Then why did she still have this uneasy feeling?
CHAPTER 9
The Guilty One Confesses
O n Saturday morning the Aldens leaned over the rail as the West Wind sailed into Nassau, the capital of the Bahama Islands, and docked at Prince George wharf.
âIt will take a while before weâre able to go into town,â Grandfather said. âThey need to prepare the ramp for disembarking. Right now, letâs have breakfast.â
âI canât wait to see Nassauâs Straw Market,â Violet said.
âItâs big,â Grandfather said. âYouâll have fun there.â
The children went through the line, heaping their plates with their favorite food and fruit.
âThe steward told me weâll be free to go ashore in one hour,â Grandfather said.
âGood!â Benny said. âItâs our last stop before we go home, and I want to see everything.â
âAnd you will,â Grandfather promised, chuckling.
While they were lingering over breakfast, Max rushed toward them. âThe captain and I are going to confront Tom Bishop. Will you come along?â
âYou bet!â Henry said, jumping to his feet.
Jessie hurried alongside Henry, her heart beating hard. What would Tom say? What would he do?
âMaybe heâs in the exercise room,â Benny said.
âLetâs try his cabin first,â the captain said. âUsually when weâre about to go ashore passengers are getting ready in their rooms.â
The captain rapped on Tomâs door. No answer. He knocked louder.
Finally, Tom flung open the door and stared sleepy-eyed at the captain, Max, and the Aldens. âWhat do you want?â he asked in an annoyed tone. âYou woke me up!â
âWe need to talk to you. Itâs about whatâs been happening on my ship,â the captain said sternly.
âWhat are you talking about?â Tom asked angrily, his face flushing a deep red. âI had nothing to do with the shipâs delay or anything else!â
âYes, you have!â Max said. âWhat about this?â And he thrust the telegram in Tomâs face.
Tom grabbed the wire, and his face grew white.
âYouâre in this with Carla, arenât you, Thomas?â Max said, folding his arms across his chest and waiting for an answer.
âNo, Iâm not!â Tom sneered. âAnd youâd better watch who youâre accusing or youâll end up with a lawsuit!â
Suddenly, Benny shouted, âWhatâs this?â And he dashed toward an iron box sticking out from under the bed. He pulled it out.
âItâs a toolbox,â Henry said, kneeling down and examining hammers, pliers, and screwdrivers.
âSo what