George briefly explained his business, and handed over Mr Winter's
letter of introduction, which Mr Roberts rapidly glanced through. Then
the little bell was struck once, and another and much more
substantial-looking clerk made his appearance.

"Bring me List A, if you please," said Mr Roberts.

"List A," a large leather-bound volume, was brought in and laid upon the
table before the ship-broker, who at once opened it, and began to run
his fingers slowly down an index. Then he rapidly turned up an entry in
the book itself, and read out--

"`_Challenger_--brig; 450 tons; softwood built, iron-fastened, sheathed
with zinc; nine years old; well found in sails, ground-tackle, and all
necessary stores, ready for sea. Price 1800 pounds.' How will that do?
She is really a very decent vessel of her kind, and exceedingly cheap
at the price."

"We might take a look at her," remarked George, "but her description
does not sound very inviting."

Another reference to the index, another turning up of an entry, and--

"Well, what do you think of this? `_Lucy_--brigantine; 520 tons;
oak-built, coppered, and copper-fastened throughout; has only been to
sea twice; excellent sea-boat, very fast and weatherly; fully found in
every respect, and quite ready for sea. Price 2500 pounds.'"

"That sounds very much better," answered Leicester, who, to tell the
truth, was almost as much taken with the name as anything else; "but I
don't particularly admire the rig."

"Umph!" ejaculated Mr Roberts, pursing up his lips and referring to the
index once more. "Um, um, _Maid of the Mist_--_Lizzie_--_Highland
Lass_--_Enterprise_--ah! yes; perhaps this will do. `_Enterprise_--
brig; seven years old, oak-built, iron-fastened, 350 tons register, will
carry 600 tons dead-weight; well found. Price 2200 pounds. Requires a
few trifling repairs amounting to possibly 500 pounds.' How does that
strike you?"

"Not very favourably," was the reply.

"Well, let's try again," remarked the ship-broker. "I _know_ I can suit
you."

Another reference to the index, then a sudden sharp closing of the book,
with the muttered ejaculation, "The very thing! What a donkey I am not
to have thought of her before."

Then a single stroke on the bell, followed by the reappearance of the
substantial-looking clerk.

"Bring me in the inventory of the _Aurora_, if you please; that paper
that was left here by Mr Sutton yesterday."

The document was brought in,