nd distinctly as he went
along the various things grouped themselves together in his mind, and he
began to think aloud.

"She knew her mother was out when she met me," he said slowly. "She knew
that other fellow was here; but one would have thought--Lovers' tiff,"
he said suddenly and bitterly; "and doing the pleasant to me to make him
smart a bit. He'll be round to-morrow when the mother's out."

He went back dejectedly to his ship, and countermanding the tea with
which the zealous Henry was about to indulge him, changed his clothes
and sat down to smoke.

"You've got a bit wet," said the mate. "Where'd you get the coat?"

"Friend," said the other. "Had it lent to me. You know that Captain
Gething I told you to look out for?"

"I do," said the other eagerly.

"Let the crew know that the reward is raised to five pounds," said the
skipper, drawing strongly at his pipe.

"If the reward is riz to five pounds the cook'll be 'ung for murder
or som'think," said Henry. "It's no use lookin' to the crew for 'elp,
sir--not a bit."

The skipper deigned no reply, and his message having been conveyed to
the foc'sle, a scene of intense animation prevailed there.

"_I'm_ goin' to have a go now," said Dick emphatically. "Five pounds is
worth picking up."

"I only 'ope as you won't 'ave the treat I 'ad," said the cook
feelingly.

"Wot we want," said fat Sam, "is one o' them things people 'ave in the
City--one o' the 'er what d'yer call 'ems."

"'Ansom keb?" suggested the cook.

"'Ansom keb be damned!" said Sam scornfully.

"One of them things wot 'as a lot o' people in, I mean."

"Tramcars," said the cook, who was all at sea. "But you couldn't take a
tramcar all over the country, Sam."

"If anybody was to ask me, I should say you was a silly fool," said Sam
impatiently. "I mean one o' them things people puts their money in."

The wondering cook had got as far as "automatic mach--" when Henry
jostled him into silence.

"Wot are you gettin' at?" said Dick. "Why don't you talk plain?"

"'Cos I can't remember the word," said Sam angrily; "but a lot o' people
gets together and goes shares."

"You mean a syndikit," said Dick.

"That's the word," said Sam, with relief.

"Well, wot's the good of it?" said Dick.

"This way," said Sam; "we make up a syndikit and divide the money when
'e's found. It 'ud be a cruel thing, Dick, if, just as you'd spotted
your man, I wos to come along and snap 'im up under your werry nos