In fact he wrote that he thought it all wrong, deceitful, bordering on the dishonest.

He much preferred having Charles go to the captain and tell the whole truth.

On the other hand, however, he said he realized that that might mean the end of the opportunity here and perhaps public scandal and gossip by which we all might suffer.
And he said he had absolute confidence that Charles was not a criminal by intent, and he felt quite sure that he would never go wrong again.

If he were still in active business, he said, he should not hesitate to employ him.

Therefore, although he still believed the other course safer and better, he would, if Captain Hunniwell wrote, answer as I had asked.