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188 While Franklin was speculating in this strain he heard two men walk down the dock towards the Sunflower. He looked out from his resting place, and saw that the pair were Captain Cosgrove and Montague Smith. Instantly, he drew out of sight, to let the two men pass him.

"So you think you'll take a trip to Milwaukee, Smith," remarked the master of the Sunflower. "For what? We are taking care of matters all right?"

"I know you are, captain, so far as the freight is concerned," returned Montague Smith. "But there is other business I have up there that must be looked after."

"Oh!" Captain Cosgrove gave a short laugh. "Is Wilbur Bliss's sister kicking up a fuss again?"

"Hush!" cried Montague Smith, in quick alarm. "I wish you would not mention her name when talking to me. Somebody might grow suspicious."

"Suspicious of what? You treated her fairly enough, didn't you?"

"Certainly I did, returned the part owner of the battery works. "But then you know how folks talk, and it won't do for me to have any one blacken my character around here."

"Might reach Belden Brice's ears, eh? He's a shrewd one."