es, closing one eye
suggestively.

"I don't understand."

"Maybe he buys at two prices--some of 'em do, you know."

Randy did not know, but he did not say so.

"I knew a purser once--on the _Sea Shell_--who used to pay one price
for a thing and then charge the owners of the vessel another price. At
last they caught him at it and sent him to prison."

This opened Randy's eyes to what his fellow-deckhand was driving at.

"Do you imagine Polk is that sort?"

"He is certainly close."

"So you said before. Well, he ought to be watched."

"Oh, it's not my affair," said Jones. "Say, I am going to bed," he
added.

"So am I," said Randy, and retired, thinking of what Jones had said and
also of what the Clares had told him regarding Peter Polk.

CHAPTER XVIII

A MEETING ON THE RIVER

Two weeks passed and Randy felt quite at home on board of the
steamboat. He had learned his duties fully and was giving satisfaction
to Captain Hadley and Pat Malloy.

His only enemy seemed to be Polk the purser, who was as disagreeable as
possible. Our hero did his best to steer clear of the fellow, and in a
measure succeeded.

One evening, while the boat was tied up at the dock in New York Randy
chanced to look ashore when he saw Rose Clare motioning to him. He at
once joined the girl.

"I came down to tell you that Bill Hosker was around yesterday," said
the girl to our hero.

"Is he around now?" questioned Randy, quickly.

"No, he went away yesterday evening. He was only around about two
hours."

"I wish I had seen him."

"I thought you'd like to know about it. I came down last night, but a
man here told me you were at Albany."

"Yes, we come to New York every other night, not counting Sundays."

"I think Bill Hosker will come again soon. I suppose he thinks you have
given up trying to find him."

"Well, I haven't given it up, Rose. How are things going with yourself
and your mother?"

"Not very good."

"Can't she get much sewing to do?"

"She and I made only five dollars and a quarter last week."

"And what rent do you pay?"

"Six dollars a month for just the one room."

"That is certainly hard. I wish I could help you, but I can't--at
least, not now."

"We wouldn't want help, if only we could get more sewing."

"I'll ask Captain Hadley about it. He has a wife and a family of
girls."

Randy was as good as his word. He met the captain the next day, when
the officer appeared to have little to d