," replied the bearded one. "So I've rented the best
old shack I could get here, down by the water. I spend a good deal
of my time sailing a sloop that I have. Curtis is my name."

Jack and Hal introduced themselves in turn.

Curtis's shack proved to be well away from the village proper, and
down near the waterfront. A light shone from a window near the front
door as the three approached the small dwelling.

"I think I can interest you for an hour, gentlemen," declared the
bearded one, as he slipped a key in the lock of the door.

He admitted them to a little room off the hallway, a room that contained
not much beyond a table and four, chairs, a side-table and some of the
accessories of the smoker.

"Just take a seat here," proposed Curtis, "while I get some sarsaparilla
for you. I'll be right back in a moment."

It was four or five minutes before Curtis came, back, bearing a tray on
which were three tall glasses, each containing a brownish liquid.

"The stuff isn't iced, yet it's fairly cold," the bearded one explained.
"Well, gentlemen, here's to a pleasant evening!"

Hal, who was thirsty, took a long swallow of the sarsaparilla, finding
the flavor excellent. Jack drank more slowly, though he enjoyed the
beverage.

"If you don't mind," suggested Curtis, "I will light a cigar. And say,
by the way, gentlemen, what if we take a little walk down to my beach?
Before showing you the models I spoke of, I'd like to have your opinion
of the lines of my sloop."

"We'll go down and take a look with great pleasure," Jack Benson agreed,
rising. "And I'm glad, sir, that you're able to show us more courtesy
than we were able to offer you to-night."

"Oh, that was all right," declared their host, smiling good-humoredly.
"Rules are rules, and you have your owners to please. No hard feelings
on that score, I assure you."

Curtis led the way through a dark yard down to a pier. Moored there
lay a handsome white sloop, some forty-two feet in length--a boat
of a good and seaworthy knockabout type.

"This is a sloop, all right," Jack agreed, cordially. "Rather different
from the lumbering fishing craft hereabouts."

"Oh, hah, yum!" yawned Hal, at which Curtis shot a quick glance at him.

"Come on board," invited Curtis, stepping down to the deck of the craft.
"Let me show you what a comfortable cruising cabin I have."

"Hi, oh, yowl" yawned Hal, again. "Jack, I think I shall enjoy my rest
to-night."

"Same c