had heard of your island, and read that thing in the Directory

about the PRIVATE REASONS, you see; so when we saw the lagoon

reflected in the sky, we put her head for it at once, and so here

we are.'

''Ope we don't intrude!' said Huish.

The stranger looked at Huish with an air of faint surprise,

and looked pointedly away again. It was hard to be more

offensive in dumb show.

'It may suit me, your coming here,' he said. 'My own schooner

is overdue, and I may put something in your way in the

meantime. Are you open to a charter?'

'Well, I guess so,' said Davis; 'it depends.'

'My name is Attwater,' continued the stranger. 'You, I

presume, are the captain?'

'Yes, sir. I am the captain of this ship: Captain Brown,' was

the reply.

'Well, see 'ere!' said Huish, 'better begin fair! 'E's skipper on

deck right enough, but not below. Below, we're all equal, all got

a lay in the adventure; when it comes to business, I'm as good

as 'e; and what I say is, let's go into the 'ouse and have a

lush, and talk it over among pals. We've some prime fizz,' he

said, and winked.

The presence of the gentleman lighted up like a candle the

vulgarity of the clerk; and Herrick instinctively, as one shields

himself from pain, made haste to interrupt.

'My name is Hay,' said he, 'since introductions are going. We

shall be very glad if you will step inside.'

Attwater leaned to him swiftly. 'University man?' said he.

'Yes, Merton,' said Herrick, and the next moment blushed

scarlet at his indiscretion.

'I am of the other lot,' said Attwater: 'Trinity Hall, Cambridge.

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