CHAPTER XVIII 

THE NEW DECK HAND 

Having said so much, Peter Slade seemed more inclined to talk, one reason being that he wanted to get at the bottom of the mystery which had brought Tad Sobber and his uncle to that part of the globe. Tad had hinted of great wealth, and of getting the best of the Rovers and some other people, but had not gone into any details. 

Peter said he had come to Nassau to join his mother, who was stopping there for her health. His father was coming on later, and then the family was going across the ocean. 

"I know there is something up between your crowd and the Merrick crowd," said the youth. "You are both after something, ain't you?" 

"Yes," answered Tom. 

"What?" 

"I can't tell you that, Slade. It's something quite valuable, though." 

"Well, I guess Sobber's uncle will get ahead of you." 

"Perhaps so. What is the name of the tramp steamer he is looking for?" 

"The _Josephine_." 

"Was she to be here?" 

"They hoped she would be." 

"Were they going to hire her?" asked Sam. 

"I suppose so." 

"Then Merrick had money." 

"Yes, he had some, and that Spaniard had some, too." 

A little more conversation followed, and then the Rover boys asked Slade where he was going to stop, and said they might see him later. 

"This is mighty interesting," remarked Tom, as he and his brother hurried to their hotel. "We must tell father of this without delay." 

But Mr. Rover could not be found until that evening, when the party came back from the visit to the flower gardens. He listened with deep interest to what was said, and then went off on a hunt for Sid Merrick and the tramp steamer _Josephine_ without delay.  QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. What was the reason for Tad Sobber and his uncle's journey?
2. What brought Tad Sobber and his uncle accross the globe?
3. 
Q2:
1. What had Tad Sobber hinted at?
2. What did Tad Sobber make an allusion to?
3. 
Q3:
1. What had Tad Sobber hinted at, besides great wealth?
2. What did Tad Sobber make an allusion to, in addition to great wealth?
3. 
Q4:
1. Who came to Nassau for his mother?
2. Whose journey to Nassau was due to his mom?
3. 
Q5:
1. Was Peter's father in Nassau?
2. Was Nassau the location of Peter's dad?
3. 
Q6:
1. Was Peter's dad set to arrive in Nassau?
2. Was Peter's father coming to Nassau?
3. 
Q7:
1. Does Tom speak truthfully with Slade regarding his intentions?
2. Does Tom plainly tell Slade what he intends to do?
3. 
Q8:
1. Who was strapped with cash?
2. Who was in possession of some funds?
3. 
Q9:
1. Who besides Merrick had money?
2. Who in addition to Merrick was in possession of some funds?
3. 
Q10:
1. Was Mr. Rover currently present?
2. Could Mr. Rover be found at the time of the story's events?
3. 
