hair back and prepared to rise.

"You're a trump," said Captain Brisket, in tones of unmistakable
respect, "that's what you are. Lord, if I'd got the head for business
you have I should be a man of fortune by now."

Mr. Stobell, who had half risen, sat down again, and, for the first time
since his last contract but one, a smile played lightly about the corners
of his mouth. He took another drink and, shaking his head slightly as he
put the glass down, smiled again with the air of a man who has been
reproached for making a pun.

"Let me do it for you," said Captain Brisket, impressively. "I'll tell
you where to go without being seen in the matter or letting old Todd know
that I'm in it. Ask him a price and bate him down; when you've got his
lowest, come to me and give me one pound in every ten I save you."

Mr. Tredgold looked at his friends. "If we do that," he said, turning to
the captain, "it would be to your interest to buy the ship in any case.
How are we to be sure she is seaworthy?"

"Ah, there you are!" said Brisket, with an expansive smile. "You let me
buy for you and promise me the master's berth, provided you are satisfied
with my credentials. Common sense'll tell you I wouldn't risk my own
carcass in a rotten ship."

Mr. Stobell nodded approval and, Captain Brisket with unexpected delicacy
withdrawing to the window and becoming interested in the harbour,
conferred for some time with his friends. The captain's offer being
accepted, subject to certain conditions, they settled their bill and made
their way to the ferry.

"There's the schooner," said the captain, pointing, as they neared the
opposite shore; "the _Fair Emily,_ and the place she is lying at is
called Todd's Wharf. Ask for Mr. Todd, or, better still, walk straight
on to the wharf and have a look at her. The old man'll see you fast
enough."

He sprang nimbly ashore as the boat's head touched the stairs, and after
extending a hand to Mr. Chalk, which was coldly ignored, led the way up
the steps to the quay.

"There's the wharf just along there," he said, pointing up the road.
"I'll wait for you at the Jack Ashore here. Don't offer him too much to
begin with."

"I thought of offering a hundred pounds," said Mr. Tredgold. "If the
ship's sound we can't be very much out over that sum."

Captain Brisket stared at him. "No; don't do that," he said, recovering,
and speaking with great gravity. "Offer him seventy. Good luck."

He