On the failure of the salvage company the underwriters had put the steamer into the hands of Messrs.

Bull and Morse, a firm of Ship Brokers and Marine Auctioneers, but at the public auction no bids whatever had been made.
Subsequently advertisements appeared in the shipping papers inviting offers for the ship as she lay and for the salvage of the cargo.

These had run for several weeks, but without result.

Cartwright had cut them out.

Now and then he looked at them and speculated about the undertaking.
By and by the bookkeeper came in and filed some letters.