He's asking eight hundred for it, I understand." Mr.Tredgold turned sharply.

"Eight hundred ?" he gasped.
The captain nodded.

"And I'm not saying it's not worth it," he said, "but I might be able to get it for you for six.

You'd better leave it to me now." [Illustration: "Captain Brisket waving farewells from the quay as they embarked."] Mr.Tredgold at first said he would have nothing more to do with it, but under the softening influence of a pipe and a glass was induced to reconsider his decision.

Captain Brisket, waving farewells from the quay as they embarked on the ferryboat later on in the afternoon, bore in his pocket the cards of all three gentlemen, together with a commission entrusting him with the preliminary negotiations for the purchase of the Fair Emily..