"As a matter of fact, I'm dying with curiosity myself.

Bring it out and make it crackle, captain; it's a bank-note for half a million." The captain shook his head and a slight frown marred his usually amiable features.

He got up and, turning his back on them, filled his pipe from a jar on the mantelpiece.
"You never will see it, Chalk," said Edward Tredgold, in tones of much conviction.

"I'll bet you two to one in golden sovereigns that you'll sink into your honoured family vault with your justifiable curiosity still unsatisfied.

And I shouldn't wonder if your perturbed spirit walks the captain's bedroom afterwards." Miss Drewitt looked up and eyed the speaker with scornful comprehension.
"Take the bet, Mr.Chalk," she said, slowly.
Mr.Chalk turned in hopeful amaze; then he leaned over and shook hands solemnly with Mr.Tredgold.