But Mr. Cooke was an optimist, and as such disposed to look at the best side of his friends and ignore the worst; if, indeed, he perceived their faults at all.  It was plain to me, even now, that he did not comprehend the Celebrity’s attitude.  That his guest should reject the one hope of escape left him was, according to Mr. Cooke, only to be accounted for by a loss of mental balance.  Nevertheless, his disappointment was keen.  He let down the door and slowly led the way out of the cabin.  The whistle sounded shrilly in our ears.

Mr. Cooke sat down and drew a wallet from his pocket.  He began to count the bills, and, as if by common consent, the Four followed suit.  It was a task which occupied some minutes, and when completed my client produced a morocco note-book and a pencil.  He glanced interrogatively at the man nearest him.

“Three hundred and fifty.”

Mr. Cooke put it down.  It was entirely a matter of course.  What else was there to be done?  And when he had gone the round of his followers he turned to Farrar and me.

“How much are you fellows equal to?” he asked.

I believe he did it because he felt we should resent being left out:  and so we should have.  Mr. Cooke’s instincts were delicate.

We told him.  Then he paused, his pencil in the air, and his eyes doubtfully fixed on the senator.  For all this time Mr. Trevor had been fidgeting in his seat; but now he opened his long coat, button by button, and thrust his hand inside the flap.  Oh, Falstaff!

“Father, father!” exclaimed Miss Trevor.  But her tongue was in her cheek.

I have heard it stated that if a thoroughly righteous man were cast away with ninety and nine ruffians, each of the ruffians would gain one-one-hundredth in virtue, whilst the righteous man would sink to their new level.  I am not able to say how much better Mr. Cooke’s party was for Mr. Trevor’s company, but the senator seemed to realize that something serious had happened to him, for his voice was not altogether steady as he pronounced the amount of his contribution.

“Trevor,” cried Mr. Cooke, with great fervor, “I take it all back.  You’re a true, public-spirited old sport.”

But the senator had not yet reached that extreme of degradation where it is pleasurable to be congratulated on wickedness.

My client added up the figures and rubbed his hands.  I regret to say that the aggregate would have bought up three small police organizations, body and soul.

“Pull up, Farrar, old man,” he shouted.

Farrar released the wheel and threw the Maria into the wind.  With the sail cracking and the big boom dodging over our heads, we watched the tug as she drew nearer and nearer, until we could hear the loud beating of her engines.  On one side some men were making ready to lower a boat, and then a conspicuous figure in blue stood out by the davits.  Then came the faint tinkle of a bell, and the H Sinclair, of Far Harbor, glided up and thrashed the water scarce a biscuit-throw away.