ake her
for four years, I'll pay you a thousand dollars commission on the deal.
The vessel simply cannot afford to pay more."

After his conversation with Cappy Ricks, Matt realized that Hudner had,
indeed, named a very low price on the Unicorn. But Matt was a Yankee. He
knew he had Hudner where the hair was short; so he said:

"I'll give you three twenty-five and accept a thousand dollars
commission in case my clients take her for four years. That's my final
offer, Mr. Hudner. Take it or leave it."

"I'll take it," said poor Hudner. "It's better than letting the vessel
fall to pieces in Rotten Row. How soon will you hear definitely from
your principals?"

"I'll hear to-day; but meantime you might give me a three-day option
on the vessel, in case of unavoidable delays--though I'll do my best to
close the matter up at once."

Hudner considered. The Unicorn had paid his company but two dividends
since her purchase from Cappy Ricks, while it was common talk on
'Change that the Lion had paid for herself prior to the 1907 panic. In
consideration of the fact, therefore, that the Lion did not owe Cappy
Ricks a cent, Hudner shrewdly judged that Cappy would be less eager than
he for business, and that hence it would be safe to give a three-day
option. He led Matt back to his office, where he dictated and signed the
option. Matt gave him a dollar and the trap was set.

From Hudner's office Matt returned to that of Cappy Ricks. The heir to
the Ricks millions was still there, as Matt noted with a sudden, strange
thrill of satisfaction.

"I've waited until your return, Captain Peasley," she said, "to see
whether you could dispose of dad's competitor as handily as you disposed
of your own that time in Cape Town."

Matt blushed and Cappy chuckled.

"I've bet Florry five thousand dollars you'll dispose of Hudner and the
Unicorn, Matt," he said.

"I'm glad of that, sir, because if you hope to win the bet you'll have
to help me. I've gone as far as I can, sir. I've got an option on the
Unicorn for three days on a sixty-day charter, running coastwise with
general cargo, with the privilege of renewing for four years at the same
rate. The rate, by the way, is three hundred and twenty-five dollars. I
want you to charter her from Hudner; and then--"

"Bless your soul, boy, I don't want her! Haven't I got a boat of my own
I'd almost be willing to charter at the same figure to Hudner?"

"You don't understand, sir. The Mannheim pe