He broke off and shook his head with the air of a man who despaired of doing justice to his subject.  “These are the gentlemen, Peter,” he said, introducing them with a wave of his hand.

Mr. Duckett raised his cap, and tugging at a small patch of reddish-brown hair strangely resembling a door-mat in texture, which grew at the base of his chin, cleared his throat and said it was a fine morning.

“Not much of a talker is Peter,” said the genial Brisket.  “He’s a doer; that’s what he is-a doer.  Now, if you’re willing—­and I hope you are—­ he’ll come aboard with us and talk the matter over.”

This proposition being assented to after a little delay on the part of Mr. Stobell, who appeared to think Mr. Duckett’s lack of connection with the hard-boiled eggs somewhat suspicious, they proceeded to Todd’s Wharf and made a thorough inspection of the schooner.  Mr. Chalk’s eyes grew bright and his step elastic.  He roamed from forecastle to cabin and from cabin to galley, and, his practice with the crow’s-nest in Dialstone Lane standing him in good stead, wound up by ascending to the masthead and waving to his astonished friends below.

Mr. Todd came on board as he regained the deck, and, stroking his white beard, regarded him with an air of benevolent interest.

“There’s no ill-feeling,” he said, as Mr. Chalk eyed his outstretched hand somewhat dubiously.  “You’re a hard nut, that’s what you are, and I pity anybody that has the cracking of you.  A man that could come and offer me seventy pounds for a craft like this—­seventy pounds, mind you,” he added, with a rising colour, as he turned to the others “seventy pounds, and a face like a baby.  Why, when I think of it, Damme if I don’t——­”

Captain Brisket laid his hand on his arm and with soothing words led him below.  His voice was heard booming in the cabin until at length it ended in a roar of laughter, and Captain Brisket, appearing at the companion, beckoned them below, with a whispered injunction to Mr. Chalk to keep as much in the background as possible.

The business was soon concluded, and Mr. Chalk’s eye brightened again as he looked on his new property.  Captain Brisket, in high good-humour, began to talk of accommodation, and, among other things, suggested a scheme of cutting through the bulkhead at the foot of the companion-ladder and building a commodious cabin with three berths in the hold.

“There are two ladies coming,” said Mr. Chalk.

Captain Brisket rubbed his chin.  “I’d forgotten that,” he said, slowly.  “Two, did you say?”

“It doesn’t matter,” said Mr. Stobell, fixing him with his left eye and slowly veiling the right.  “You go on with them alterations.  One of the ladies can have your state-room and the other the mate’s bunk.”

“Where are Captain Brisket and the mate to sleep?” inquired Mr. Chalk.

“Anywhere,” replied Mr. Stobell.  “With the crew if they like.”