At least, Miss Howland and her father might have, in view
of what had happened. But still, why should they? The old feeling of
aloofness filled him, and all the self-assurance which had
characterized his attitude with Miss Howland a half-hour before
vanished. He was angry with himself for having dared to maintain such
an attitude.
He turned to look at the hotel and bowed gravely.
"It seems that one Daniel Merrithew has been forgetting he is a mere
steamship captain. He will remember it in future--at all times."
And then he walked slowly to his ship.
CHAPTER X
THE WRAITH IN THE MOONLIGHT
Twenty-four hours later the _Tampico_ was at sea. The itinerary proposed
by Mr. Howland had been altered for the reason that cable despatches from
New York had contained financial tidings that made it incumbent upon him
to return to the United States without more delay than was necessary; and
Ralph Oddington's firm had been retained by a corporation seeking
protection against assaults of the Attorney-General's office, and he was
wanted in the city at his "earliest convenience," which he had
interpreted as meaning "right away."
And so there was to be no stopping at various ports, but a quick run to
the States. Mr. Howland imparted this information to Dan as the two sat
at table in the saloon over cigars and coffee the evening after the
departure from San Blanco.
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