"I'm afraid it would go hard with you if Captain Hannock caught you."
"But would I be acting right?"
"Every person undoubtedly has a right to search for his own when it has been stolen from him."
"Then I'll hunt it up if I have to turn the cabin and staterooms upside down," was my sudden determination.
"You will hardly have time while we are going up the harbor," said Dibble.
"Are we in sight of New Bedford?"
"Oh, yes. There it is right ahead."
I looked. Sure enough, land was not a great distance off.
"I'm going to get out of the way," I said suddenly. "Mr. Ranson, you will see me later."
"Do as you think best. I will stand by you."
I walked off. I was not sure of my course, and entered the forecastle to arrange my plans.
By this time the captain had come on deck. He saw where we were, and gave orders to lower some of the sails, and then called Lowell to consult with him.
Seeing that I was not being noticed, I slipped from the forecastle to the companionway. In a moment I was down the steps and in the cabin.
No one was present. Even Phil Jones was away;
