“That’s your man, Cassall, if you only knew it.  I shall make a point of meeting him.  You haven’t seen my plans, have you?  Well, I’ve employed myself since we came out in trying to design every kind of fitting that you’re likely to need.  I used to be very good at that kind of thing, and I’m very glad my hand hasn’t forgot its cunning.  I shall test young Ferrier’s judgment over my drawings, and that will be a good pretext for meeting him.”

“The spring is on us now, Roche.  We must use that youngster to get at people.  He must have some kind of personal magnetism.  Did you notice how that fellow choked and sobbed when he told us how the youngster refused to leave him during the gale?  A good sign that.  We must have parties to meet him, and let him do the talkee-talkee lecturing business.  I shouldn’t wonder if my girl found the nerve to speak.  If you had only heard her oration delivered for my private gratification, you would have been pretty much amazed.  She shall spout if she likes.”

“I see you’ve set up a new hobby, my friend, and I can back you to ride hard.  Seriously speaking, I never knew any cause that I would assist sooner than this.  That fellow Fullerton was once described to me by a Jew as ‘hare-brained.’  It needed a curious sort of hare-brain to build up such an organization as we have seen.  I may tell you a little secret, as we are alone.  When I was fighting my way up, I was very glad to attend a working man, and I starved genteelly for a long time in a big fishing-port.  I assure you that in those days a fisherman was the most ill-conditioned dog on God’s earth.  He knew less of goodness than a dog does, and I think you could see every possible phase of hoggishness and cruel wickedness on a Saturday night in that town.  It used to be a mere commonplace to say that no one should venture into the fishermen’s quarter after dark.  There is a big change.  You snarl at parsons a good deal, I know, but you can’t snarl at what we have seen.  You are quite right, and I mean to help spur your new hobby as hard as I can.”

* * * * *

After Robert Cassall had been some days at home, Mr. Fullerton received the following letter:—­

DEAR SIR,—­As arranged at our last meeting, I went out to view your work among the North Sea fishermen, and I am satisfied that I may assist your admirable efforts.  In this letter I merely sketch my proposals in an informal manner, but my solicitors, Messrs. Bowles and Gordon, Gresham Buildings, will be ready at any time to meet a deputation from the Council of the Mission, so that my wishes may be accurately stated, and all business settled in strict legal form.

     1.  I propose to build a steam cruiser of 350 tons, and I am
     now engaged in consulting with practical men concerning those
     technical details of which I have scanty knowledge.