"It _is_ time for drinks," said 'Bias with decision. They called at the
Ship Inn, where they ascertained that Captain Hunken's chest and
parrot-cage had been duly delivered.

"Very decent beer," pronounced 'Bias as they shared a quart.

"When a man has a job to tackle--" began Cai, and glanced at his friend.
"You're sure we hadn' better wait till you've had a meal?--till
to-morrow mornin' if you like."

'Bias drained his tankard and arose--a giant visibly refreshed.
"I'm a-goin' to see the house, instanter."

"Things," said Cai, "strike different parties from different points o'
view. That's notorious. One man's born an' bred in a place, and
another isn't. . . . Now if the latter--as we'll call him for argyment's
sake--"

But 'Bias, cutting short this parley, had gained the door and was
marching forth.

To be sure (and Captain Cai might with better command on his nerves have
hailed the omen) Nature could hardly have dressed shore and harbour of
Troy in weather more auspicious. The smoke of chimneys arose straight
on the "cessile air," making a soft dun-coloured haze through which the
light of the declining day was filtered in streams of yellow--pale
lemon-yellow, golden-yellow, orange, orange-tawny. On the far shore of
the harbour, windows blazed as if cottage after cottage held the core of
a furnace intense and steady. The green hillside above them lay bathed
in this aureate flush, which permeated too the whole of the southern
sky, up to its faint blue zenith.

"Pretty weather," grunted 'Bias, "I see the glass is steady too;
leastways if you can trust the one they keep in the Inn parlour."

Cai did not respond: the crucial moment was drawing too near.

"Pretty li'l view, too. . . . A man with a box o' paints, now, might be
tempted to have a slap at it."

Well-meant but artless simulation! Captain Hunken had once in his life
purchased a picture; it represented Vesuvius by night, in eruption, and
he had yielded to the importunity of the Neapolitan artist--or, rather,
had excused himself for yielding--on the ground that after all you
couldn't mistake the dam thing for anything else.

They came abreast of Harbour Terrace. They were passing by the green
front door of Number Two. Still Captain Cai made no sign.

"There's a house, f'r instance--supposin' a man could afford the
rental--" 'Bias halted and regarded it. "Hullo, 'tis unoccupied!"
He turned about slowly. "You don't--mean--to tell me-