peak in a
very low voice."

"Did he shout that?" inquired Captain Trimblett, in a quivering voice.

"Bawled it," replied Mr. Vyner, cheerfully; "but as it isn't true, I
really think that you ought to go and tell Captain Sellers at once.
There is no knowing what hopes he may be raising. He is a fine old man;
but perhaps, after all, he is a wee bit talkative."

Captain Trimblett, who had risen, stood waiting impatiently until the
other had finished, and then, forgetting all about the errand that had
brought him there, departed in haste. Mr. Vyner went to the window, and
a broad smile lit up his face as he watched the captain hurrying across
the bridge. With a blessing on the head of the most notorious old gossip
in Salthaven, he returned to his work.

Possessed by a single idea, Captain Trimblett sped on his way at a pace
against which both his age and his figure protested in vain. By the time
he reached Tranquil Vale he was breathless, and hardly able to gasp
his inquiry for Captain Sellers to the old housekeeper who attended the
door.

"He's a-sitting in the garden looking at his flowers," she replied.
"Will you go through?"

Captain Trimblett went through. His head was erect and his face and eyes
blazing. A little old gentleman, endowed with the far sight peculiar to
men who have followed the sea, who was sitting in a deck-chair at the
bottom of the garden, glimpsed him and at once collapsed. By the time
the captain reached the chair he discovered a weasel-faced, shrunken old
figure in a snuff-coloured suit of clothes sunk in a profound slumber.
He took him by the arms and shook him roughly.

"Yes? Halloa! What's matter?" inquired Captain Sellers, half waking.

Captain Trimblett arched his hand over his mouth and bent to an ear
apparently made of yellow parchment.

"Cap'n Sellers," he said, in a stern, thrilling voice, "I've got a bone
to pick with you."

[Illustration: I've got a bone to pick with you 148]

The old man opened his eyes wide and sat blinking at him. "I've been
asleep," he said, with a senile chuckle. "How do, Cap'n Trimblett?"

"I've got a bone to pick with you," repeated the other.

"Eh?" said Captain Sellers, putting his hand to his ear.

"A--bone--to--pick--with--you," said the incensed Trimblett, raising his
voice. "What do you mean by it?"

"Eh?" said Captain Sellers, freshly.

"What do you mean by saying things about me?" bawled Trimblett. "How
dare you go spreading false repor