And, as there was no need to prolong a topic which
caused Elsie any sort of embarrassment, he hastened to say:
"I have brought names into the discussion largely to show what a
doubtful field is opened once we begin to suspect without real cause.
The only witness of any value we have on board is Frascuelo, and his
evidence merely goes to prove a secret design to interfere with, or
control, the trimming of the bunker. That particular hatch must be
sealed, and the specimens we have secured put away under lock and key.
I feel assured that the remainder of our coal is above suspicion. We
can carry the inquiry no further while we remain here. Now, Mr.
Walker, you have something of a more cheering nature to communicate, I
think."
The engineer grinned genially.
"I don't wish to bind myself to a day or so, Miss Maxwell and
gentlemen," he said, "but I've had a good look at the damage, an' I
feel pwitty shu-aw I'll get up steam in one boil-aw within ten days or
a fawt-night. It'll be a makeshift job at the best, because I have so
few spa-aw fittin's, an' no chance of makin' a castin', but I'll bet a
ye'aw's scwew the _Kansas_ gets a move on her undaw her own steam soon
aftaw New Ye-aw's Day.
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