Читать книгу The Hidden Gold - Sarah Masters Buckey - Страница 6

3

A Warning

After the meal, there were scraping sounds as chairs were pushed away from the tables throughout the large main cabin. “Gentlemen, I think it’s time to play cards,” announced Mr. Bold. He looked around the table. “You’ll join me, won’t you?”

Mr. Montjoy and Monsieur André quickly agreed, but Mr. Hopkins hesitated. “I used to lose money when I played cards in college,” he said. He lowered his voice. “Besides, I’ve heard that you have to watch out for gamblers and thieves on steamboats.”

Are there really thieves on board? Marie-Grace wondered. There was a sign in the gentlemen’s area that warned:

All card playing is at your own risk.

Passengers are strongly advised not to gamble.

But Mr. Bold didn’t seem concerned. He slapped Mr. Hopkins on the back. “Don’t worry, young man, this is just a friendly game of cards. Perhaps your luck has changed.”

“Perhaps,” said Mr. Hopkins doubtfully. “But I think I’d better read instead.”

Mr. Bold turned to Marie-Grace’s father. “How about you, Doctor? You’ll join us, won’t you?”

“Thank you, but not tonight,” said Papa. He smiled at Marie-Grace. “Mr. Stevenson has invited us to see the pilothouse.”

“It’s beautiful up here!” exclaimed Marie-Grace, looking out the wide window. The pilothouse was a small room, set like a cabin at the very top of the steamboat. From its open windows, Marie-Grace could see the moon shining on the water. It made a glittering path across the dark Mississippi. Marie-Grace had been in a pilothouse once before, on Uncle Luc’s steamboat, but she had never seen the river on a night like this.

“It is indeed a beautiful view,” agreed Papa. “Marie-Grace and I appreciate your inviting us up here, Mr. Stevenson.”