Dialstone Lane, Complete

of his behaviour. Without any preliminaries he would burst out suddenly into snatches of sea-songs, the "Bay of Biscay" being an especial favourite, until Mrs. Chalk thought fit to observe that,

r. Chalk's. Tredgold and Stobell bought papers on the station, but Mr. Chalk was in too exalted a mood for reading. The bustle and life as the train became due were

smell the sea alr

resumed it again and, meeting Mr. Tredgold's eye o

are going to sea?" inquired Mr.

till the last possible moment. You haven't given your wife any

usiness there, and that I was going with you just for th

indow. His countenance cleared as they neared Biddlecombe, and, the line running for some distance by

be. For a small port there was a goodly array of shipping, and Mr. Chalk's pulse beat faster as his gaze wander

the craft were for sale there was nothing to announce the fact, and the various suggestions whi

cting a huge silver timepiece from his

ny more," said Mr. Tredgold. "After that we

, mounting the stairs, entered the coffee-room, where Mr. Stobell, after hesitating for some time

y before him, in a bay window at the end of the room, which looked out on the harbour. There was a maritime flavour about him whi

e raised his glass. Mr. Chalk assented, and began a somewhat minute discuss

the latter was about to leave the room, "and a little stronger, d

after all these years, Cap'n Brisket," said George, calmly.

. Stobell; that gentleman, merely pausing to empty h

re, sir?" inqui

busy again, left th

d the latter. "I'm v

glass, moved to the end of their table, wit

ead. "Trade ain't what it used to be; ships are more than half their time lo

, leaning over, whisp

r leave it to me. Shipping's dull, then?

eply. "Dull ain't

ith a salt-spoon and

und for a ship this mo

" inquired the

," put in

his glass and then his chair a yard nearer. "Do

of an idea of a cruise to the South Pacific; pleasure, with perhaps a little trading mixed up

oor, came nearer still; so near that Mr. St

now a schooner, two hundred and forty tons, that is just the identical article you'r

bell, without look

risket, with growing excitement. "

g by this time arrived at the cheese, felt

a thump with his fist that upset half his whisky

Brisket was fain to cover what in any other man might have been regarded as confusion by ringing the

. Tredgold, after a long and somewhat trying

confidently. "We'll ferry over now if you like, or, if you prefer to go by yourselves, do; Bil

Mr. Stobell, put

th a beaming smile; Mr. Stobell

like that fetch?"

said Brisket. "Of

ds whether you buy it for us or sell it for th

peaker heavily on the back. Mr. Stobell, clenching a fist the si

able respect, "that's what you are. Lord, if I'd got the hea

a smile played lightly about the corners of his mouth. He took another drink and, shaking his head sligh

being seen in the matter or letting old Todd know that I'm in it. Ask him a price and bate hi

turning to the captain, "it would be to your interest to buy

you and promise me the master's berth, provided you are satisfied with my creden

nd becoming interested in the harbour, conferred for some time with his friends. The captain's offer

ir Emily, and the place she is lying at is called Todd's Wharf. Ask for Mr. Todd, or, better s

stairs, and after extending a hand to Mr. Chalk, which

ting up the road. "I'll wait for you at the Jack As

said Mr. Tredgold. "If the ship's sound

that," he said, recovering, and speaking with

ious grin, turned into the Jack Ashore, and taking

unpleasant idea that the bargain, despite Mr. Tredgold's ideas as to the value of schooners, might have been completed without his assist

at?" said

down and listened. "Sounds like old Todd at it aga

moved with the others to the door. Captain Brisket, with a fine air of indifference, lounged af

ng, white beard and a voice like a foghorn almost danced with excitement. They quickened their pace as they neared the inn, and Mr. Chalk, throwing appearanc

the landlord barred the doorway with his arms. "F

quired the landlord, with a glanc

ted the excit

e place-FETCH HIM OUT," he bawled, breaking off

ll by the cuff and after a sli

to come outside," bawled Mr

m?" inquired Captain Brisket, t

," was t

r have I got to wait here all night? Why don't he c

; then, as his gaze fell upon the smiling countenan

you would like to step outside with me for five m

r. Todd, after a final outburst, began to feel exhausted, and forsaking his prey with much reluctance allowed himself to be l

nty?" inquired Captain Bris

d Mr. Chalk,

lly; "perhaps you ought to ha' made it eighty.

d sharply. "Eight

orth it," he said, "but I might be able to get it

ider his decision. Captain Brisket, waving farewells from the quay as they embarked on the ferryboat later on in the afternoon, bore in his pocket