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.”

Captain Brisket, looking suddenly very solemn, shook his head and said that it was impossible.  He spoke in moving terms of the danger to discipline, and called upon Mr. Duckett to confirm his fears.  Meantime, Mr. Stobell, opening his right eye slowly, winked with the left.

“You go on with them alterations,” he repeated.

Captain Brisket started and reflected.  A nod from Mr. Tredgold and a significant gesture in the direction of the unconscious Mr. Chalk decided him.  “Very good, gentlemen,” he said, cheerfully.  “I’m in your hands, and Peter Ducket’ll do what I do.  It’s settled he’s coming, I suppose?”

Mr. Tredgold, after a long look at the anxious face of Mr. Duckett, said “Yes,” and then at Captain Brisket’s suggestion the party adjourned to the Jack Ashore, where in a little room upstairs, not much larger than the schooner’s cabin, the preparations for the voyage were discussed in detail.

“And mind, Peter,” said Captain Brisket to his friend, as the pair strolled along by the harbour after their principals had departed, “the less you say about this the better.  We don’t want any Biddlecombe men in it.”