"Just what it says," replied Captain Magowan, coolly.
"There has been some underhanded work here!" began the old man,
wrathfully.
"None in the Navy Department, at all events," replied Magowan, coolly.
"I will not detain you longer, Mr. Rhinds. Good morning."
Captain Magowan, bowing, opened the door. A marine sentry stood on post
just outside. There was no use in making a row. John C. Rhinds stepped
out like one in a daze, and remained so until he reached the wharf and
stepped ashore.
To the railway station went Rhinds. He was ruined. The order from
Washington meant that all his capital had been expended on boats that
could not be sold. There might be a chance with foreign governments,
but creditors would step in and seize the Rhinds shipyards before a good
trade could be made abroad.
At the station Rhinds counted the money he had about him. At a bank in
another city was a thousand dollars or so more. Rhinds took the train
and was borne away. His wife and daughter. The former had a small
private fortune of her own; wife and daughter would not starve.
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