ttle spoons in a meditative
manner; "perhaps that will be best."

He felt certain in his own mind that the search would be fruitless, but
he did not say so. If he had been absolutely certain in his mind
without being able to produce the proof, he would not have counselled
Lestrange to any other course, knowing that the man's mind would never
be settled until proof positive was produced.

"The question is," said Lestrange, "what is my quickest way to get
there?"

"There I may be able to help you," said Fountain tying the string round
the box "A schooner with good heels to her is what you want; and, if
I'm not mistaken, there's one discharging cargo at this present minit
at O'Sullivan's wharf. Missus!"

The woman answered the call. Lestrange felt like a person in a dream,
and these people who were interesting themselves in his affairs seemed
to him beneficent beyond the nature of human beings.

"Is Captain Stannistreet home, think you?"

"I don't know," replied the woman; "but I can go see."

"Do."

She went.

"He lives only a few doors down," said Fountain, "and he's the man for
you. Best schooner captain ever sailed out of 'Frisco. The Raratonga is
the name of the boat I have in my mind--best boat that ever wore
copper. Stannistreet is captain of her, owners are M'Vitie. She's been
missionary, and she's been pigs; copra was her last cargo, and she's
nearly discharged it. Oh, M'Vitie would hire her out to Satan at a
price; you needn't be afraid of their boggling at it if you can raise
the dollars. She's had a new suit of sails only the beginning of the
year. Oh, she'll fix you up to a T, and you take the word of S.
Fountain for that. I'll engineer the thing from this bed if you'll let
me put my oar in your trouble; I'll victual her, and find a crew three
quarter price of any of those d----d skulking agents. Oh, I'll take a
commission right enough, but I'm half paid with doing the thing."

He ceased, for footsteps sounded in the passage outside, and Captain
Stannistreet was shown in. He was a young man of not more than thirty,
alert, quick of eye, and pleasant of face. Fountain introduced him to
Lestrange, who had taken a fancy to him at first sight.

When he heard about the business in hand, he seemed interested at once;
the affair seemed to appeal to him more than if it had been a purely
commercial matter, much as copra and pigs.

"If you'll come with me, sir, down to the wharf, I'll show you the boat
n