"I hope to have another yacht to build by that time, especially if the Maud does well."
"I wanted to say a word to you about that, and tell you some good news, Don John," continued Captain Patterdale, as calmly as though he had no interest whatever in the mended bill. "I had a long talk with Mr. Norwood this afternoon. He says he shall give you the job if the Maud sails as well as the Skylark or the Sea Foam. He don't insist that she shall beat them."
"But I expect she will do it; if she don't I shall be disappointed," added Donald.
"Don't expect too much, Don John. I thought you would sleep better if you knew just how Mr. Norwood stood on this question."
"I shall, sir; and I am very much obliged to you."
"Do you think you will make any money on the building of the Maud?" asked the nabob.
"Yes, sir. I think I shall do pretty well with her."
"You seem to have money enough to pay your bills as you go along. Did Mr. Rodman pay you this bill?" inquired the captain, as he held up the cross again.
"No, sir; he did not. I have had that bill in the house for some time," replied Donald.
"Yes, sir; I had considerable cash in the house."
"Yes, sir; but he never had that bill and the other two I paid Mr. Leach," replied Donald; and he could not help thinking all the time that they were a part of the sum Laud Cavendish had paid him for the Juno, under promise not to say where he got it, if everything was all right.
Though the boat-builder was a square young man, he could not help being somewhat embarrassed, for his sense of honor did not permit him to violate the confidence of any one.
"If it is a fair question, Don John, where did you get this bill?" asked the captain.
Donald thought it was hardly a fair question under the circumstances, and he made no answer, for he was thinking how he could get along without a lie, and still say nothing about Laud's connection with the bill, for that would expose Captain Shivernock.
"You don't answer me, Don John," added the nabob, mildly.
"You promised not to tell where you got this money?"
Poor Nellie was almost overwhelmed by these answers on the part of Donald, and her father began to have some painful doubts.
"I did, sir; that is, I promised not to tell if everything about the money was all right."