This was a forceful argument and set Captain Blossom to thinking. He
was a man who loved money dearly.
"I will go along and we will look around the stateroom," he said,
after a pause.
"This is an outrage!" cried Dan Baxter. "I will have the law on you
for it."
"Shut up! I am master on my own ship," retorted Captain Blossom, and
led the way to the stateroom Dan Baxter occupied. The door was locked
and Baxter refused to give up the key. But the captain had a duplicate,
and soon he and the Rover boys were inside the room. Baxter followed
them, still expostulating, but in vain.
"Here is a pocketbook full of bills!" cried Tom, bringing the article
to light.
"Here is my light overcoat!" came from Dick. "See, it has my initials
embroidered in the hanger. Aunt Martha did that for me."
"Here are my gold cuff buttons!" exclaimed Sam. "They were a present
from my father and they have my monogram engraved on each." And he
showed the articles to the captain.
"I reckon it's a pretty clear case against you," said Captain Blossom,
turning to Dan Baxter.
"Here are half a dozen letters," said Tom, holding them up. "You can
see they are all addressed to Daniel Baxter. That's his name, and
he'd be a fool to deny it any longer."
"Well, I won't deny it," cried the big bully. "What would be the
use--you are all against me--even the captain."
"I am not against you," retorted Captain Blossom.
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