Wilkins.

"Well, maybe I didn't and maybe I did. I have to keep a closed
mouth. But if you'll say a word for me to these people--reliable
and all that--I may put somethin' your way sometime."

"I'll have a gin," said Peth.

"Glad to do what I can, sir," said Wilkins. "Support home industry,
that's always been my motto. If I'm asked, I'll say the right sort
of thing."

"Good for you," said Jarrow. "This is Mr. Peth, my mate. We got to
slide," and waving his hand at Wilkins, Jarrow walked toward the
veranda while Peth gulped his gin and trailed after him with
alacrity.

The mate overtook the captain as the latter headed across the
Luneta toward Malecon Drive, where the great king palms offered
shade from the blinding sunlight.

Jarrow marched along, with head down, staring at the gravel. He
gave no heed to Peth, who overtook him and fell in beside him.

"Millions," said Peth, presently.

"You ain't got the brains of a goose, Peth."

"What's the row?" demanded Peth.

"Can't you hear millions spoke of without actin' like a blasted
whistlin' buoy?" demanded Jarrow, savagely.

"I was took aback," said Peth.

"Took aback! This ain't no business for a man who's got to blow off
steam in public the minute he sniffs somethin' good! Things like
that might bust up the whole business--and sixty a day in it!"

"I don't see what I done, skipper," whined Peth.

"You done enough. Couldn't you see what I was drivin' at? You ain't
got half an eye. That dude clerk, he can fix us solid with them
people. What if he got an idea we was out to make money off 'em?
This Locke'll go askin' that feller, so I had to prime him. Lucky
he didn't notice your fidgets when he spoke of millions."

"You go make a mountain out of it," said Peth, as they turned into
the Malecon and proceeded toward the river.

"Peth, you better not cross the bows of these people till we're
ready for sea."

Peth turned his sharp face toward the captain and looked down on
him with searching eyes, a trifle startled. He turned away and spat
viciously. "I won't bite 'em," he growled.

"They might bite you. We can't reckon on what these swells'll
cotton to in a deal like this."

"Aint I big enough dude?"

"You ain't got no diplomacy."

Peth gritted his teeth gently. "Don't ye want me for mate?" he
demanded, with a poor attempt to conceal his wrath.

"What's the matter of you?" asked Jarrow, looking at him in
surprise.

"You that's sayin' it. You tal