value," Nicholas chuckled, and put the flask
aside and, lighting the two tall candles, buried himself again in his
green-bound ledger. Yet still from time to time Nicholas Snyders' eye
would wander to where the silver flask remained half hidden among dusty
papers. And later there came again a knocking at the door, and this time
it really was young Jan who entered.

Jan held out his great hand across the littered desk.

"We parted in anger, Nicholas Snyders. It was my fault. You were in the
right. I ask you to forgive me. I was poor. It was selfish of me to
wish the little maid to share with me my poverty. But now I am no longer
poor."

"Sit down," responded Nicholas in kindly tone. "I have heard of it. So
now you are master and the owner of your ship--your very own."

"My very own after one more voyage," laughed Jan. "I have Burgomaster
Allart's promise."

"A promise is not a performance," hinted Nicholas. "Burgomaster Allart
is not a rich man; a higher bid might tempt him. Another might step in
between you and become the owner."

Jan only laughed. "Why, that would be the work of an enemy, which, God
be praised, I do not think that I possess."

"Lucky lad!" commented Nicholas; "so few of us are without enemies. And
your parents, Jan, will they live with you?"

"We wished it," answered Jan, "both Christina and I. But the mother is
feeble. The old mill has grown into her life."

"I can understand," agreed Nicholas. "The old vine torn from the old
wall withers. And your father, Jan; people will gossip. The mill is
paying?"

Jan shook his head. "It never will again; and the debts haunt him. But
all that, as I tell him, is a thing of the past. His creditors have
agreed to look to me and wait."

"All of them?" queried Nicholas.

"All of them I could discover," laughed Jan.

Nicholas Snyders pushed back his chair and looked at Jan with a smile
upon his wrinkled face. "And so you and Christina have arranged it all?"

"With your consent, sir," answered Jan.

"You will wait for that?" asked Nicholas.

"We should like to have it, sir." Jan smiled, but the tone of his voice
fell agreeably on Nicholas Snyders' ear. Nicholas Snyders loved best
beating the dog that, growled and showed its teeth.

"Better not wait for that," said Nicholas Snyders. "You might have to
wait long."

Jan rose, an angry flush upon his face. "So nothing changes you,
Nicholas Snyders. Have it your own way, then."

"You will marry her