“We want to have a word with you,” said Blood, whilst Harman took his seat on a bunk edge opposite him.

“It’s time you knew our minds and what we intend doing with the schooner and yourself.”

“Faith,” said Ginnell, “I think it is.”

“I’m glad you agree.  Well, when you shanghaied me on board this old shark-boat of yours, there’s little doubt as to what you intended doing with me.  Harman will tell you, for we’ve talked on the matter.”

“He’d a’ worked you crool hard, fed you crool bad, and landed you after a six months’ cruise doped or drunk, with two cents in your pocket and an affidavit up his sleeve that you’d tried to fire his ship,” said Harman.  “I know the swab.”

Ginnell said nothing for a moment in answer to this soft impeachment, he was cutting himself a chew of tobacco; then at last he spoke: 

“I don’t want no certifikit of character from either the pair of you,” said he.  “You’ve boned me ship and you’ve blacked me eye and you’ve near stove me ribs in sittin’ on me chest and houldin’ me revolver in me face; what I wants to know is your game.  Where’s your profits to come from on this job?”

“I’ll tell you,” replied Blood.  “There’s a hooker called the Yan-Shan piled on the rocks down the coast and we’re going to leave our cards on her—­savvy?”

“Oh, Lord!” said Ginnell.

“What’s the matter now?” asked Harman.

“What’s the matter, d’you say?” cried Ginnell.  “Why, it’s the Yan-Shan I was after meself.”

Blood stared at the owner of the Heart of Ireland for a moment, then he broke into a roar of laughter.

“You don’t mean to say you bought the wreck?” he asked.

“Not me,” replied Ginnell.  “Sure, where d’you think I’d be findin’ the money to buy wrecks with?  I had news that mornin’ she was lyin’ there derelick, and I was just slippin’ down the coast to have a look at her when you two spoiled me lay by takin’ me ship.”

It was now that Harman began to laugh.

“Well, if that don’t beat all,” said he.  “And maybe, since you were so keen on havin’ a look at her, you’ve brought wreckin’ tools with you in case they might come in handy?”

“That’s as may be,” replied Ginnell.  “What you have got to worry about isn’t wreckin’ tools, but how to get rid of the boodle if it’s there.  Twenty thousand dollars, that’s the figure.”

“So you know of the dollars?” said Blood.

“Sure, what do you take me for?” asked Ginnell.  “D’you think I’d have bothered about the job only for the dollars?  What’s the use of general cargo to the like of me?  Now what I’m thinkin’ is this, you want a fence to help you to get rid of the stuff.  Supposin’ you find it, how are you to cart this stuff ashore and bank it?  You’ll be had, sure, but not if I’m at your back.  Now, gents, I’m willin’ to wipe out all differences and help in the salvin’ on shares, and I’ll make it easy for you.  You’ll each take seven thousand and I’ll take the balance, and I won’t charge nuthin’ for the loan you’ve took of the Heart of Ireland.  It’s a losin’ game for me, but it’s better than bein’ done out entirely.”