r George."

* * * * *

Skipper George Rumm was glad to see Archie--glad in a too bland way,
in which, however, Archie did not detect a very obvious nervousness.
Three eighty-five for fish? Yes; the skipper _did_ believe that Tommy
Bull was paying three eighty-five. No; he didn't know the market price
in St. John's. Flour and pork and sugar and tea? No; the skipper
didn't know just what Tommy Bull was selling flour and pork and sugar
and tea at. You see, Tommy Bull was clerk of the _Black Eagle_; and
that was the clerk's business. Tommy Bull was ashore just then; the
skipper didn't just quite know when he'd come aboard. Were these
prices Sir Archibald's orders? Really, Skipper George didn't know.
Tommy Bull knew all about that; and Tommy Bull had clerked in these
waters long enough to keep the firm's business to himself. Tommy Bull
was closemouthed; he wouldn't be likely to blab Sir Archibald's orders
in every harbour of the coast or whisper them in the ear of a rival
trading clerk.

This last thrust was too much for Archie's dignity. He leaped from the
deck of the _Black Eagle_ into his own punt in a greater rage than
ever.

"There's t' be a spell o' rough weather," were Skipper George's last
words.

The punt moved away.

"Skipper Bill," said Archie, "the nearest telegraph station is at Tilt
Cove. Can we make it in a night?"

"If the wind holds," the skipper answered.

"Then we'll try," said Archie.

The predicament was explained to Donald North and Jimmie Grimm and
Billy Topsail. The _Spot Cash_ could have no more fish as long as the
_Black Eagle_ paid three eighty-five with the St. John's market at
three thirty-five. But _was_ the market at three thirty-five? Hadn't
the _Black Eagle_ later information? That must be found out; and from
Tilt Cove it could be discovered in two hours. So up went the sails of
the _Spot Cash_, and, with the _Black Eagle_ following, she jockeyed
out of the harbour. Presently, when she had laid a course for Cape
John and Tilt Cove, the _Black Eagle_ came about and beat back to
Conch.

* * * * *

Next morning--and dirty weather was promised for the day--the _Spot
Cash_ dropped anchor in the shelter of the cliff at Tilt Cove and
Billy Topsail pulled Archie ashore. It was in Archie's heart to accuse
his father's firm of harsh dealing with a small competitor; but he
resolved to do no more than ask