agree to the terms I have proposed?"

"Perfectly, Sir; and, if you please, I will sign a memorandum to that
effect."

"No, no," replied he, "we never put such things down on paper. It is an
affair of honour and good faith. You say your money is all ready."

"At a minute's warning."

"That is sufficient, Mr Musgrave. I will now wish you good morning.
Send me the documents."

"I have them in my pocket, Sir."

"Better still; then the affair may be arranged this afternoon, and you
may call to-morrow at about two in the afternoon; and you may as well
bring the money with you, as you can but take it away again if
everything is not to your satisfaction."

I returned to the lodgings quite delighted with the prospect of such a
fortunate issue to my mission, and was in good time for dinner. I did
not tell Captain Levee or Philip of what had passed, but merely that I
considered that there was a good chance of success, and that I was to
call on the following day. That night we went to the theatre, and saw a
play performed, written by Shakespeare, in the time of Queen Elizabeth,
and called the "Merry Wives of Windsor." We were much pleased with the
character of _Falstaff_, a fat knight, full of humour. The next day, at
the time appointed, I called upon the head clerk, who told me that
everything was arranged according to my wishes; that the hiring of the
vessel was according to her tonnage; and he considered that the price
offered by the government was fair and liberal; so did I, and
immediately accepted it. He then drew from his desk the articles of
agreement between the government and the owner of the vessel, and, at
the same time, the warrants for Captain Levee and Philip, to act as
commander and lieutenant.

"Now, Mr Musgrave, all you have to do is to sign the first paper, and
fulfil the other portion of our agreement."

I immediately pulled out the bag of money which I had brought with me,
and, after counting it over, the clerk gave me his pen to sign the
document, and handed to me the warrants for Philip and Captain Levee.

"You have behaved liberally in this affair, Mr Musgrave," said the
gentleman, as he locked up the bag of money in his desk: "if at any time
I can be of use to you, you may command me."

"I thank you, Sir," replied I; "I may by-and-by have to ask you to exert
your influence in behalf of my brother, that he may obtain the command
of one of the king's ships, and if you can help me, I shal