CaptainElishalaughedheartily。”Prettynighasgood，”hesaid。”Ididn’tnoticeanybetteronthewaytothedepotasIdroveup。AndIdoubtifthere’smanynewonesbuiltsinceIleft。It’samightyfinelotofrooms，Ithink。
　　What’stherent？You’llexcusemyaskin’，thingsbein’astheyare。””Twenty-twohundredayear，”answeredhisniece，coldly。
　　Thecaptainlookedather，whistled，brokeoffthewhistleinthemiddle，anddidalittlementalarithmetic。”Twenty-twohundredayear！”herepeated。”That’sonehundredandeightyoddamonth。Say，thatcousinofMrs。Dunn’smustwanttogethisinvestmentback。Youmeanforjustthesetenrooms？”
　　Stephenlaughedscornfully。”Ourguardianhasbeencounting，Caro，”heremarked。”Yes。Yes，Icountedthismornin’whenIgotup。Iwasinterested，naturally。””Sure！Naturally，ofcourse，”sneeredtheboy。”Didyouthinkthetwenty-twohundredwastherentoftheentirebuilding？””Well，Ididn’tknow。I——””Therent，”interruptedCaroline，withdignity，”wastwenty-fourhundred，but，thankstoMrs。Dunn，whoexplainedtohercousinthatwewerefriendsofhers，itwasreduced。””Webeinginreducedcircumstances，”observedherbrotherinsupremedisgust。”Pitythepoororphans！Bygad！””ThatwasrealniceofMrs。Dunn，”declaredCaptainElisha，heartily。”She’sprettywell-offherself，Is’pose——hey，Caroline？””Ipresumeso。””Yes，yes。Abouthowmuchisshewuth，think？””Idon’tknow。Ineverinquired。””No。Well，downourway，”withachuckle，”wedon’thavetoinquire。Askanybodyyoumeetwhathisnextdoorneighbor’swuth，andhe’lltellyouwithinahundred，andhowhegotit，andhowmuchheowes，andhowhegetsalongwithhiswife。Ho！ho！
　　Speakin’ofwives，isthisMr。Dunnmarried？”
　　Helookedathisnieceasheaskedthequestion。TherewasnoreasonwhyCarolineshouldblush；sheknewit，andhatedherselffordoingit。”No，”sheanswered，resentfully，”heisnot。””Um-hm。What’shisbusiness？””Heisconnectedwithaproduceexchangehouse，Ibelieve。””Oneofthefirm？””Idon’tknow。InNewYorkwearenotaswellposted，orascurious，concerningourfriends’privateaffairsasyourtownspeopleseemtobe。””Iguessthat’sso。IimagineNewYorkersaretoobusygettin’itthemselvestobotherwhethertheirneighborshavegotitornot。
　　Well，”hewenton，rising，”IguessI’vekeptyouyoungfolksfromyourworkor——orplay，orwhateveryouwasgoingtodo，longenoughforthisonce。IthinkI’llgooutforaspell。I’vegotanerrandortwoIwanttodo。Whattimedoyouhavedinner？””Welunchathalfpastone，”answeredCaroline。”Wedineatseven。””Oh，yes，yes！Ikeepforgettin’thatsupper’sdinner。Well，I
　　presumelikelyI’llbebackforluncheon。IfIain’t，don’twaitforme。I’llbehomeaforesupper——thereIgoagain！——aforedinner，anyhow。Good-by。”
　　Fiveminuteslaterhewasatthestreetcorner，inquiringofapoliceman”thehandiestwaytogettoPineStreet。”Followingthedirectionsgiven，heboardedatrainatthenearestsubwaystation，emergedatWallStreet，inquiredoncemore，locatedthestreethewaslookingfor，and，consultingacardwhichhetookfromabigstainedleatherpocket-book，walkedon，peeringatthenumbersofthebuildingshepassed。
　　TheofficesofSylvester，Kuhn，andGraves，wereonthesixteenthfloorofanewandgorgeouslyappointedsky-scraper。WhenCaptainElishaenteredthefirm’sreceptionroom，hewasaccostedbyawide-awakeandextremelyself-possessedofficeboy。”Who’dyouwanttosee？”askedtheboy，briskly。
　　Thecaptainremovedhishatandwipedhisforeheadwithhishandkerchief。”Holdonajiffy，Sonny，”hepanted。”Justgivemeaminutetosortofgetmyselftogether，asyoumightsay。Irodeupinoneofthoseexpresselevatorsofyours，andIkindoffeelasifmybootshadgottangledupwithmynecktie。Whenthatelevatorfellercastofffromthecellar，Ibeguntoshutuplikeaspyglass。Whew！
　　Say，Son，isMr。Gravesin？””No，”repliedtheboy，grinning。”Hum！Stillinthesickbay，ishe——hey？””He’stohome。Gotacold。””Yup。It’stoobad。Mr——er——Sylvester，ishein？””Naw，heain’t。AndMr。Kuhn’sbusy。Won’toneoftheclerksdo？
　　Whatdoyouwanttoseethefirmabout？””Well，Son，Ihadreasonsofmyown。However，IguessIwon’tdisturbMr。Kuhn，ifhe’sbusy’syousay。Here！youtellhim，orMr。Sylvesterwhenhecomes，thatCap’nWarren，Cap’nElishaWarrenofSouthDenboro——betterwriteitdown——calledandwillbebackabouthalfpasttwelveorthereabouts。Gotit，haveyou？Hum！isthatElisha？Youdon’ttellme！I’vebeenspellin’itforsixtyyears，moreorless，andneverrealizedithadsuchpossibilities。
　　Lendmeyourpencil。There！yougiveMr。SylvesterthatandtellhimI’llseehimlater。Solong，Son。”
　　Hedeparted，smiling。Theindignantofficeboythrewthecardonthetable。
　　CaptainElishastrolleddownPineStreet，lookingabouthimwithinterest。Ithadbeenyearssincehevisitedthislocality，andthechangesweremany。Soon，however，hebegantorecognizefamiliarlandmarks。Hewasapproachingthewaterfront，andtherewerefewernewbuildings。WhenhereachedSouthStreethewasthoroughlyathome。
　　Thedockswerecrowded。Theriverwasalivewithsmallcraftofallkinds。Steamersandschoonerswereplenty，butthecaptainmissedtheoldsquare-riggers，theclippershipsandbarks，suchashehadsailedinascabinboy，asforemasthand，and，later，commandedonmanyseas。
　　Atlength，however，hesawfourmaststoweringabovetheroofofafreighthouse。Theywerenotschoonerrigged，thosemasts。Theyardsweresetsquareacross，andalongthemwerefurledroyalsanduppertopsails。Here，atlast，wasacraftworthlookingat。
　　CaptainElishacrossedthestreet，hurriedpastthecoveredfreighthouse，andsawamagnificentgreatshiplyingbesideabroadopenwharf。Downthewharfhewalked，joyfully，asonewhogreetsanoldfriend。
　　Thewharfwaspracticallydeserted。Anancientwatchmanwasdozinginasortofsentrybox，buthedidnotwake。Therewasapileofforeign-lookingcratesandboxesatthefurtherendofthepier，evidentlythelastbitofcargowaitingtobecartedaway。Thecaptaininspectedthepile，recognizedthegoodsasChineseandJapanese，thenreadthenameonthebigship’sstern。ShewastheEmpressoftheOcean，andherhomeportwasLiverpool。
　　CaptainElisha，asafree-bornYankeeskipper，hadaninheritedandcherishedcontemptforBritish”lime-juicers，”buthecouldnothelpadmiringthisone。Tobeginwith，hersizeandtonnagewereenormous。Also，shewasfour-masted，insteadoftheusualthree，andherhullandlowersparswereofsteelinsteadofwood。A
　　steelsailingvesselwassomethingofanoveltytothecaptain，andhewasseizedwithadesiretogoaboardandinspect。
　　Theladderfromshiptowharfwasdown，ofcourse，andgettingonboardwasaneasymatter。Whenhereachedthedeckandlookedabouthim，thegreatsizeoftheshipwasstillmoreapparent。Thebulwarkswereashighasashortman’shead。Shewasdeckedoveraft，and，asthecaptainsaidafterwards，”hercabinshadnighasmanystoriesasahouse。”Fromtheroofofthe”firststory，”
　　levelwiththebulwarks，extendedaseriesofbridges，whichcouldbehoistedorlowered，andbymeansofwhichherofficerscouldwalkfromsterntobowwithoutdescendingtothedeck。Therewasagood-sizedenginehouseforward，beyondthegalleyandforecastle。
　　Evidentlytheworkofhoistinganchorsandcanvaswasdonebysteam。
　　Thecaptainstrolledabout，lookingherover。Thenumberofimprovementssincehisseagoingdayswasastonishing。Hewasstandingbythewheel，nearthecompanionway，wishingthathemightinspecttheofficers’quarters，butnotlikingtodosowithoutaninvitation，whentwomenemergedfromthecabin。
　　OneofthepairwasevidentlytheJapanesestewardoftheship。
　　Theotherwasatall，clean-cutyoungfellow，whosegeneralappearanceandlackofsunburnshowedquiteplainlythathewasnotaseafaringmanbyprofession。ThestewardcaughtsightofCaptainElisha，and，walkingover，accostedhim。”Wanttoseeskipper，sir？”heasked，inbrokenEnglish。”Heashore。””No，Doctor，”repliedthecaptain，cheerfully。”Idon’twanttoseehim。I’vegotnobusinessaboard。It’sbeensometimesinceI
　　trodthequarter-deckofasquare-rigger，andIcouldn’tresistthetemptationoftryin’howtheplanksfeltundermyfeet。Thisisconsider’bleofaclipperyou’vegothere，”headded。”Yes，sir，”repliedthestewardgrinning。”Whereyoufrom？”askedCaptainElisha。”Singapore，sir。””Cargoallout？””Yes，sir。””Waitin’foranotherone？””Yes，sir。WeloadforManilabimeby。””Manila，hey？Haveagoodpassageacross？””Yes，sir。Shegoodship。””Shouldn’twonder。Howd’yedo，sir，”totheyoungman，whowasstandingnear。”Hopeyouwon’tthinkI’mcrowdin’inwhereIdon’tbelong。Iwasjusttellin’thedoctorherethatithadbeensometimesinceItrodaquarter-deck，andIthoughtI’dseeifI’dforgotthefeel。””Haveyou？”askedtheyoungman，smiling。”Guessnot。Seemskindofnat’ral。Ineverhandledsuchawhaleofacraftasthis，though。Didn’thavemanyof’eminmyday。
　　Comeoverinher，didyou？””No，”withashakeofthehead。”Nosuchluck。I’malandlubber，justscoutinground，that’sall。She’sabullyvessel，isn’tshe？””Looksso。TellyoubetterafterI’veseenwhatshecoulddoinafull-sailbreeze。Allhandsashore，Doctor？””Yes，sir，”repliedthesteward。”Crewpaidoffandspendin’theirmoney，Is’pose。Well，ifitain’tagainstorders，I’dkindofliketolookaroundalittlemite。MayI？”
　　Thestewardmerelygrinned。Hiscompanionansweredforhim。”Certainlyyoumay，”hesaid。”I’mafriendofoneoftheconsignees，andI’dbegladtoshowyoutheship，ifyoulike。
　　Shallwebeginwiththecabins？”
　　CaptainElisha，delightedwiththeopportunity，expressedhisthanks，andthetourofinspectionbegan。Thestewardremainedondeck，butthecaptainandhisnewacquaintancestrolledthroughtheofficers’quarterstogether。”Jerushy！”exclaimedtheformer，asheviewedthemaincabin。”Say，youcouldprettynighhaveadancehere，couldn’tyou？A
　　smallone。ThisremindsmeofthecabinaboardtheSeaGull，firstvesselIwentmateof——it’ssodiff’rent。Aboardherwehadtowalksittin’down。Therewa’n’troominthecabinformore’nonetostandupatatime。Butshecouldsail，justthesame——andcarryit，too。I’veseenherofftheHornwithstuddin’sailsset，whencrafttwiceherlengthandtonnagehadeverythingfurledabovethetops’lyard。Hihum！youmustn’tmindanoldsaltrunnin’onthisway。I’vebeenoutofthepickletubagoodwhile，butI
　　cal’latethebrineain’talloutofmysystem。”
　　Hisguide’seyessnapped。”Iunderstand，”hesaid，laughing。”I’veneverbeenatsea，onalongvoyage，inmylife，butIcanunderstandjusthowyoufeel。
　　It’sinmyblood，Iguess。Icomeofasaltwaterline。MypeoplewerefromBelfast，Maine，andeverymanofthemwenttosea。””Belfast，hey？TheyturnedoutsomeANo。1sailorsinBelfast。I
　　sailedunderaCap’nPearsonfromthereonce——JamesPearson，hisnamewas。””Hewasmygreatuncle。Iwasnamedforhim。MynameisJamesPearson，also。””WHAT？”CaptainElishawashugelydelighted。”Mr。Pearson，shakehands。IwanttotellyouthatyourUncleJimwasaseamanofthekindyoudreamabout，butseldommeet。Iwashissecondmatethreev’yages。Myname’sElishaWarren。”
　　Mr。Pearsonshookhandsandlaughed，good-humoredly。”Gladtomeetyou，CaptainWarren，”hesaid。”AndI’mgladyouknewUncleJim。Asayoungster，hewasmyidol。Hecouldspinyarnsthatwereworthlisteningto。””Ibetyou！He’dseenthingswuthyarnin’about。Soyouain’tasailor，hey？Livin’inNewYork？”
　　Theyoungmannodded。”Yes，”hesaid。Then，withadrysmile，”Ifyoucalloccupyingahallbedroomandeatingatathird-rateboarding-housetableliving。However，it’smyownfault。I’vebeenanewspapermansinceIleftcollege。ButIthrewupmyjobsixmonthsago。SincethenI’vebeenfree-lancing。””Have，hey？”Thecaptainwastoopolitetoaskfurtherquestions，buthehadnottheslightestideawhat”free-lancing”mightbe。
　　Pearsondivinedhisperplexityandexplained。”I’vehadafeeling，”hesaid，”thatImightwritemagazinearticlesandstories——yes，possiblyanovelortwo。It’saseriousdisease，buttheonlywaytofindoutwhetherit’schronicornotistoexperiment。That’swhatI’mdoingnow。ThethingI’matworkonmayturnouttobeaseastory。SoIspendsometimearoundthewharvesandaboardthefewsailingshipsinport，pickingupmaterial。”
　　CaptainElishapattedhimontheback。”Nowdon’tyougetdiscouraged，”hesaid。”Iusedtohaveanideathatnovelwritin’andpicturepaintin’waspovertyjobsformenwithhealthyappetites，butI’vechangedmymind。Idon’tknow’syou’llbelieveit，butI’vejustfoundout，forafact，thatsomepaintersgettwenty-twothousanddollarsforonepicture。ForONE，mindyou。Andalittlemiteofathing，too，thatcouldn’thavecostscarcelyanythingtopaint。Maybenovelssellforjustasmuch。_I_don’tknow。”
　　Hiscompanionlaughedheartily。”I’mafraidnot，Captain，”hesaid。”Few，atanyrate。Ishouldbesatisfiedwithconsiderablyless，tobeginwith。Areyoulivinghereintown？””Well——we-ll，Idon’tknow。Iain’texactlylivin’，andIain’texactlyboardin’，but——Say！ain’tthatthedoctorcallin’you？”
　　Itwasthesteward，andtherewasananxiousringinhisvoice。
　　Pearsonexcusedhimselfandhurriedoutofthecabin。CaptainElishalingeredforafinallookabout。Thenhefollowedleisurely，becomingaware，ashereachedtheopenair，ofloudvoicesinangrydialogue。
　　EntrancestotheEmpressoftheOcean’scabinswereonthemaindeck，andalsoontheraisedhalf-deckatthestern，nearthewheel，thebinnacleandtheofficers’corned-beeftubs，swingingintheirframes。Fromthisupperdecktwoflightsofstepsleddowntothemaindeckbelow。AtthetopofoneoftheseflightsstoodyoungPearson，coolandalert。BehindhimhalfcrouchedtheJapanesesteward，evidentlyverymuchfrightened。Atthefootofthestepsweregroupedthreeroughlookingmen，foreignersandsailorswithoutdoubt，andpartiallyintoxicated。Thethreemenwereanuglylot，andtheywereallyellingandjabberingtogetherinaforeignlingo。Asthecaptainemergedfromthepassagetotheopendeck，heheardPearsonreplyinthesamelanguage。”What’sthematter？”heasked。
　　Pearsonansweredwithoutturninghishead。”Drunkensailors，”heexplained。”Partofthecrewhere。They’vebeenuptown，gotfull，andcomebacktosquareagrudgetheyseemtohaveagainstthesteward。I’mtellingthemthey’dbettergiveupandgoashore，iftheyknowwhenthey’rewelloff。”
　　Thethreefellowsbytheladder’sfootwereconsultingtogether。
　　Onthewharfwerehalfadozenloungers，collectedbytheprospectofarow。”IfIcanholdthemoffforafewminutes，”wentonPearson，”we’llbeallright。Thewharfwatchmanhasgoneforthepolice。Here！
　　dropit！Whatareyouupto？”
　　Oneofthesailorshaddrawnaknife。Theothertworeachedfortheirbeltsbehind，evidentlyintendingtofollowsuit。Fromtheloafersonthewharfcameshoutsofencouragement。”Dothedudeup，Pedro！Givehimwhat’scomin’tohim。”
　　Thetrioformedforarush。Thesteward，withashrillscream，fledtothecabin。Pearsondidnotmove；heevensmiled。Thenextmomenthewaspushedtooneside，andCaptainElishastoodatthetopofthesteps。”Here！”hesaid，sternly。”What’sallthis？”
　　Thethreesailors，astonishedatthisunexpectedadditiontotheirenemiesforces，hesitated。Pearsonlaidhishandonthecaptain’sarm。”Becareful，”hesaid。”They’redangerous。””Dangerous？Them？I’veseentheirkindafore。Here，you！”
　　turningtothethreebelow。”Whatdoyoumeanbythis？Putdownthatknife，youlubber！Doyouwanttobeputinirons？Overthesidewithyou，youswabs！Git！”
　　Hebegandescendingtheladder。Whetherthesailorsweremerelytoosurprisedtoresist，orbecausetheyrecognizedtheauthorityofthedeepseainCaptainElisha’svoiceandfaceisaquestion。
　　Atanyrate，ashedescendedtheybackedaway。”Mutinyonboardashipofmine？”roaredthecaptain。”Whatdoyoumeanbyit？Why，I’llhaveyoutiedupandputonbreadandwater。
　　Overthesidewithyou！MutinyonboardofME！Lively！Tumbleupthere！”
　　Witheveryordercameastrideforwardandacorrespondinglybackwardmovementonthepartofthethree。TheperformancewouldhavebeenridiculousifPearsonhadnotfearedthatitmightbecometragic。Hewasdescendingthestepstohisnewacquaintance’said，whenthereroseachorusofshoutsfromthewharf。”Thecops！thecops！Lookout！”
　　Thatwasthefinishingtouch。Thenextmomentthethree”mutineers”
　　wereoverthesideandrunningasfastastheiralcoholicconditionwouldpermitdownthewharf。”Well，byGeorge！”exclaimedPearson。
　　CaptainElishaseemedtobecomingoutofadream。Hestoodstill，drewhishandacrosshisforehead，andthenbegantolaugh。”Well！”hestammered。”Well，Isnum！I——I——Mr。Pearson，Iwonderwhatonearthyoumustthinkofme。Ideclarethesightofthatgangsetmebackabouttwentyyears。They——theymusthavethoughtIwasthenewskipper！Didyouhearmetell’emtheycouldn’tmutinyaboardofme？Ho！ho！Well，Iamanoldidiot！”
　　Pearsonstuckhisfistintothepalmofhisotherhand。”I’vegotit！”hecried。”Iknewyournamewasfamiliar。Why，you’rethematethathandledthemutinouscrewaboardUncleJim’sbark，thePacer，offMauritius，inthetyphoon，whenhewashurtandinthecabin。I’veheardhimtellitadozentimes。Well，thisISaluckydayforme！”
　　CaptainElishawasevidentlypleased。”Sohetoldyouthat，didhe？”hebegan。”ThatWASatimeandahalf，I——”
　　Hewasinterrupted。Overtherailappearedabluehelmet，andaninstantlaterabigandverypompouspoliceofficerleapedtothedeck。Hewasfollowedbythewharfwatchman，wholookedfrightened。”Where’stheotheroneofthem？”demandedthepoliceman。”Oh，it’syou，isit？Well，you’retoooldtobegettin’drunkandfightin’。
　　Comealongnow，peaceable，andlet’shavenowordsaboutit。”
　　Headvancedandlaidahandonthecaptain’sarm。”You’reunderarrest，”heannounced。”Willyoucomealongquiet？””I’munderarrest？”repeatedCaptainElisha。”Under——Mysoulandbody！Why，Iain’tdoneanything。””Yes，Iknow。Nobody’sdonenothin’。Comeon，orshallI——Hello，Mr。Pearson，sir！Howd’youdo？”
　　Pearsonhadsteppedforward。”Slattery，”hesaid，”you’vemadeamistake。Letmetellyouaboutit。”Hedrewtheofficerasideandwhisperedinhisear。Afteraratherlengthyconversation，theguardianofthepeaceturnedtothewatchman。”Whatd’youmeanbytellin’allthemlies？”hedemanded。”Lies？”repeatedtheastonishedwatchman。”Inevertoldnolies。””Youdid。Yousaidthisgentleman，”indicatingthenervousandapprehensiveCaptainElisha，”wasfightin’andmurderin’。Iaskyourpardon，sir。’Twasthisbloke’sfoolishness。G’wanashore！
　　Youmakemesick。Goodday，Mr。Pearson。”
　　Hedeparted，drivinghisnewvictimbeforehimandtongue-lashinghimalltheway。Thecaptaindrewalongbreath。”Say，Mr。Pearson，”hedeclared，”aminuteorsoagoyousaidthiswasaluckydayforyou。Ical’lateit’saluckieroneforme。Ifithadn’tbeenforyouI’dbeentookup。Yes，sir，tookupandcartedofftothelockup。Whew！thatwouldhavelookedwellinthepapers，wouldn’tit？Andmynieceandnephew……Jerushy！I’mmightilyobligedtoyou。Howdidyouhandlethatpolicemansoeasily？”
　　Pearsonlaughed。”Oh，”hereplied，”anewspapertrainingandacquaintancehasitsadvantages。Slatteryknowsme，andIknowhim。””Well，Ithankyou，Idoso。””Youneedn’t。Iwouldn’thavemissedmeetingyouandseeingyouhandlethosefellowsforagooddeal。Andbesides，you’renotgoingtoescapesoeasy。Youmustlunchwithme。”
　　Thecaptainstarted，hastilypulledouthiswatch，andlookedatit。”Quartertoone！”hecried。”AndIsaidI’dbebackatthatlawyer’sofficeathalf-pasttwelve。No，no，Mr。Pearson，Ican’tgotolunchwithyou，butIdowishyou’dcomeandseemesometime。Myaddressfor——foraspell，anyhow——isCentralParkWest，”
　　givingthenumber，”andthenameisWarren，sameasmine。Willyoucomesomeevenin’？I’dbetickledtodeathtoseeyou。”
　　Theyoungmanwasevidentlydelighted。”WillI？”heexclaimed。”IndeedIwill。Iwarnyou，CaptainWarren，thatIshallprobablykeepyoubusyspinningseayarns。””Nothin’Ilikebetter，thoughI’mafraidmyyarns’llbeprettydullalongsideofyourUncleJim’s。””I’llriskit。Good-byandgoodluck。Ishallseeyouverysoon。””That’sright；do。Solong。”
　　CHAPTERVI
　　Theboy，CaptainElisha’sacquaintanceofthemorning，wasout，regalinghimselfwithcrullersandmilkatapushcartonBroadStreet，whenthecaptainreturnedtotheofficersofSylvester，KuhnandGraves。Theclerkwhohadtakenhisplacewasveryrespectful。”CaptainWarren，”hesaid，”Mr。Sylvesterwassorrytomissyou。
　　Hewaiteduntilhalfpasttwelveandleftwordforustotelephoneifyoucame。OurMr。Gravesisstillill，andthematterofyourbrother’sestatemustbediscussedwithoutfurtherdelay。PleasesitdownandIwilltelephone。”
　　Thecaptainseatedhimselfontheleather-coveredbench，andtheclerkenteredtheinneroffice。Hereturned，afewmomentslater，tosay:”Mr。SylvesterisattheCentralClub。Hewishedmetoaskifyoucouldconvenientlyjoinhimthere。”
　　CaptainElishapondered。”Why，yes，”hereplied，slowly，”Is’poseIcould。Idon’tknowwhyIcouldn’t。Whereisthis——er——clubofhis？””OnFifthAvenue，nearFifty-secondStreet。I’llsendoneofourboyswithyouifyoulike。””No，no！Icanpilotmyself，Iguess。Iain’tsooldIcan’taskmyway。Though——”withareminiscentchuckle——”ifthefolksIaskareallsufferin’fromthat’Ugh’disease，Isha’n’tmakemuchheadway。””Whatdisease？”askedthepuzzledclerk。”Oh，nothin’。Iwasjustthinkin’outloud，that’sall。Mr。
　　Sylvesterwantstoseemerightoff，doeshe？””Yes，hesaidhewouldwaitifI’phonedhimyouwerecoming。””Um-hm。Well，youcantellhimI’veleftthedock，boundinhisdirection。Say，thatyoungchapthatwasherewhenIcalledthefusttime——studyin’tobealawyer，ishe？””Who？Tim？No，indeed。He’sonlytheofficeboy。Whydidyouask？””Oh，Iwasjustwonderin’。Ihadanotionhemightbeintrainin’
　　forajudgeship，hewassohighandmighty。Ho！ho！He’sgottalent，thatboyhas。NobodybutaborngeniuscouldhavemadeasmanymistakesinonenameashedidwhenheundertooktospellElisha。Well，sir，I’mmuchobligedtoyou。Goodday。”
　　TheCentralClubisaponderousinstitutionoccupyingabecominglygorgeousbuildingontheAvenue。Thecaptainfoundhiswaytoitsdoorwithoutmuchtrouble。Abrass-buttonedattendantansweredhisringandsuperciliouslyinquiredhisbusiness。CaptainElisha，notbeinggreatlyinaweofeitherbuttonsorbriefauthority，calmlyhailedtheattendantas”Gen’ral”andinformedhimthathewastheretoseeMr。Sylvester，ifthelatterwas”ondeckanywheres。””Tellhimit’sCap’nWarren，Major，”headdedcheerfully；”he’sexpectin’me。”
　　Theattendantbrusquelyusheredthevisitorintoaleather-
　　upholsteredreceptionroomandlefthim。Thecaptainamusedhimselfbylookingattheprintsandframedlettersandautographsonthewalls。Thenaround，red，pleasant-facedmanentered。”Pardonme，”hesaid，”isthisCaptainWarren？””Yes，sir，”wasthereply。”That’smyname。ThisisMr。Sylvester，ain’tit？Gladtoknowyou，sir。””Thanks。Sorrytohavemadeyoutravelwayuphere，Captain。I
　　waiteduntiltwelve-thirty，butasyoudidn’tcomethen，Igaveyouup。HopeIhaven’tinconveniencedyou。””No，no。Notamite。Mightjustaswellbehereasanywhere。
　　Don’tthinkanotherthingaboutit。””Haveyoulunched，CaptainWarren？””No，cometothinkofit，Iain’t。I’vebeenkindofbusythisforenoon，andalittlethinglikedinner——luncheon，Imean——slippedmymind。Though’tain’toftenIhavethoseslips，I’mfreetosay。
　　Ho！ho！Abbie——she’smysecondcousin，myhousekeeper——saysI’manunsartincritter，butthere’stwothingsaboutmeshecanalwayscounton，one’sthatmyclotheshavealwaysgotabuttonloosesomewheres，andt’other’smyappetite。”
　　Helaughed，andSylvesterlaughedwithhim。”Well，”observedthelawyer，”I’mnotsurethatIcouldn’tqualifyonbothofthosecounts。AtanyrateI’msureofmyappetite。I
　　hadalunchengagementwithanacquaintanceofmine，buthehasn’tappeared，soyoumusttakehisplace。We’lllunchtogether。””Well，now，I’dliketofust-rate，andit’srealkindofyou，Mr。
　　Sylvester；butIdon’tknow’sI’dbetter。Yourfriendmayheaveinsight，afterall，andI’dbeintheway。””Notabitofit。AndIsaid’acquaintance，’not’friend。’Ofcourseyouwill！Youmust。Wecantalkbusinesswhilewe’reeating，ifyoulike。””Allright。AndI’meversomuchobligedtoyou。Isthereaneatin’housenearhere？””Oh，we’lleatrighthereattheclub。Come。”
　　Heledtheway，andCaptainElishafollowed。TheCentralClubhasalarge，exclusive，andwealthymembership，anditsquarterscorrespond。Thecaptaingazedabouthimatthemarblefloorsandpillars，thepaintingsandbusts，withinterest。Aftercheckinghishatandcoat，astheyenteredtheelevatorheaskedaquestion。”Whichfloorisyourclubon，Mr。Sylvester？”heasked。”Floor？Why，thediningroomisonthefourth，ifthat’swhatyoumean。””No，Imeanthowmanyroomsdoyourent？””Weoccupytheentirebuilding。Itisourown，andacomparativelynewone。Webuiltitthreeyearsago。””YoumeanthiswholeshebangisjustoneCLUB？””Certainly。””Hum！Isee。Well，I——””Whatwereyougoingtosay？””Nothin’。Iwaswonderin’whatfoolthingI’dasknext。I’mmoreusedtolodgeroomsthanIamtoclubs，Iguess。I’dliketotakehomeapictureofthisplacetoTheophilusKenney。Theoph’sbeenraisin’hobbecausetheOddFellowsbuiltontotheirbuildin’。Hesaidoneroomwasenoughforanysociety。’Twouldbe，ifwewasallhiskindofsociety。Theoph’ssosmallhecouldkeephouseinacloset。He’salwayshollerin’inmeetin’abouthissoul。I
　　askedtheministerifitdidn’tseemridic’lousforKenneytomakesuchabignoiseoversuchalittlething。Thiswherewegetoff？”
　　Thediningroomwasalargeandornateapartment。CaptainElisha，whenhefirstenteredit，seemedabouttoaskanotherquestion，butchokeditoffandremainedsilent。Sylvesterchoseatableinaretiredcorner，andtheysatdown。”Now，CaptainWarren，”saidthehost，”whatwillyoueat？”
　　CaptainElishashookhishead。”Youdotheorderin’，”hereplieddryly；”I’lljustsetandbethankful，likethehenthatfoundthechinadoorknob。Anythingthatsuitsyouwilldome，Iguess。”
　　Thelawyer，whoseemedtobethoroughlyenjoyinghiscompanion，gavehisorders，andthewaiterbroughtfirstabitofcaviarontoast。IfSylvesterexpectedthisdelicacytoproduceastonishedcomments，hewasdisappointed。”Well，well！”exclaimedCaptainElisha。”Ideclare，youtakemebackalongways，Mr。Sylvester。Caviar！Well，well！Why，I
　　haven’tatethissinceIusedtogotoCronstadt。AttheAmericanconsul’shousetherewehaditoftenenough。Hasakindofhomeytasteevenyet。Thatconsulwasagoodfeller。HeandIweregreatfriends。”Imethimalongspellafterthat，whenIwasdowninMexico，”hewenton。”He’dmademoneyandwasdownonavacation。MyshipwasatAcapulco，andheandIusedtogogunnin’together，afterwildgeeseandsuch。Ho！ho！Iremembertherewasabig，pompouscritterofanEnglishmanthere。Mindyou，I’mnottalkin’againsttheEnglish。SomeofthebestmenIevermetwereEnglish，andI’vestoodbacktobackwithaBritishmateonaGenoawharfwhenhalfofItalywashoppin’aroundmakin’proclamationsthattheywasgoin’toswallowusalive。And，somehowor’nother，theydidn’t。
　　Tookwithpropheticindigestion，maybe。”However，thisEnglishmanatAcapulcowasdiff’rent。HewassoswelledwithimportancethathisbackholleredinlikeCapeCodBayonthemap。Hisfrontbentouttocorrespond，though，soI
　　cal’lateheaveragedupallright。Well，heheardaboutwhatagood——thatIwasprettyluckywhenitcometoshootin’wildgeese，andI’mblessedifhedidn’tsendmeorderstogethimoneforadinnerhewasgoin’togive。Didn’task——ORDEREDmetodoit，youunderstand。Andhimnothin’butaconsignee，withnomorecontrolovermethantheaveragefemaleSunday-schoolteacherhasoveraclassofboys。Notsomuch，becauseshe’ssupposedtohaveofficialauthority，andhewa’n’t。ANDhedidn’tinvitemetothedinner。”Well，thenexttimemyfriend，theex-consul，andIwentoutgunnin’，ItoldhimoftheEnglishman’s’orders。’Hewasmad。
　　’Whatareyougoin’todoaboutit？’heasks。’Don’tknowyet，’
　　saysI，’we’llsee。’Byandbywecomeinsightofoneofthemlong-leggedcranes，bigbirdsyouknow，standin’fishin’attheedgeofsomereeds。Iupwithmygunandshotit。TheconsulchaplookedatmeasifIwascrazy。’Whatintheworlddidyoukillthatfish-basketonstiltsfor？’hesays。’Son，’saysI，’youreyesightisbad。That’saBritish-Americangoose。Chopoffaboutthreefeetofneckandacoupleoffathomofhindlegsandpickandcleanwhat’sleft，andIshouldn’twonderif’twouldmakeagooddinnerforamutualfriendofours——goodENOUGH，anyhow。’Well，sir！thatex-consulsetplumpdowninthemudandlaughedandlaughed。Ho，ho！Oh，dearme！””DidyousendittotheEnglishman？”askedSylvester。”Oh，yes，Isentit。And，afteragoodwhileandinaroundaboutway，Iheardthatthewholedinnerpartyvowed’twasthebestwildgoosetheyeverate。SoIain’tsurejustwhothejokewason。
　　However，I’msatisfiedwithmyend。Well，there！IguessyoumustthinkI’mprettytalkyonshortacquaintance，Mr。Sylvester。
　　You’llhavetoexcuseme；thatcaviarsetmetothinkin’aboutoldtimes。”
　　Hishostwasshakingallover。”Goahead，Captain，”hecried。”Gotanymoreasgoodasthat？”
　　ButCaptainElishamerelysmiledandshookhishead。”Don’tgetmestartedonMexico，”heobserved。”I’mliabletoyarnalltherestoftheafternoon。Let’ssee，wewasgoin’totalkovermybrother’sbusinessalittlemite，wa’n’twe？””Why，yes，weshould。Now，CaptainWarren，justhowmuchdoyouknowaboutyourlatebrother’saffairs？””ExceptwhatMr。Gravestoldme，nothin’ofimportance。And，aforewegoanyfurther，letmeaskaquestion。DoYOUknowwhy’Bijemademehisexecutorandguardianandalltherestofit？””Idonot。Gravesdrewhiswill，andso，ofcourse，weknewofyourexistenceandyourappointment。Yourbrotherforbadeourmentioningit，butwedidnotknow，untilafterhisdeath，thathisownchildrenwereunawaretheyhadanuncle。Itseemsstrange，doesn’tit？””Itdoestome；SOstrangethatIcan’tseetwolengthsahead。I
　　cal’lateMr。GravestoldyouhowIfeltaboutit？””Yes。Thatis，hesaidyouwereverymuchsurprised。””That’sputtin’itmildenough。Anddidhetellyouthat’BijeandIhadn’tseeneachother，orevenwritten，ineighteenyears？””Yes。””Um-hm。Well，whenyouconsiderTHAT，canyouwonderIwassetallaback？AndthemoreIthinkofit，thefoggieritgets。Why，Mr。
　　Sylvester，it’soneofthemsituationsthatareimpossible，thatyoucanprovefiftywaysCAN’Thappen。Andyet，ithas——itsartinlyhas。Nowtellme:Areyou，oryourfirm，wellacquaintedwithmybrother’saffairs？””Notwell，no。ThelateMr。Warrenwasaclose-mouthedman，rathersecretive，infact。””Humph！thatbein’oneofthep’intswherehewasdifferentfromhisnighestrelation，hey？””I’mnotsosure。Haveyouquestionedthechildren？””CarolineandSteve？Yes，I’vequestioned’emmorethantheythinkIhave，maybe。Andtheyknow——well，leavin’outaboutthepriceofoilpaintin’sandthewaytodressandthatit’smoreorlessofadisgracetoeconomizeontwentythousandayear，theirworldlyknowledgeain’ttooextensive。””Doyoulikethem？””Iguessso。Justnowain’tthefairesttimetojudge’em。Youseethey’resufferin’fromthejoyfulshockoftheircountryrelationdroppin’in，and——”
　　Hepausedandrubbedhischin。Hislipsweresmiling，buthiseyeswerenot。Sylvesternotedtheirexpression，andguessedmanythings。”Theyhaven’tbeendisagreeable，Ihope？”heasked。”No-o。No，Iwouldn’twanttosaythat。They’reyoungand——and，well，Iain’tthekindthey’vebeenusedto。Caroline’sanicegirl。Sheis，sure。Allsheneedsistogrowalittleolderandhavetherightkindofadviceand——andfriends。””Howabouttheboy？”Mr。SylvesterhadmetyoungWarren，andhiseyestwinkledashespoke。”Steve？Well，”therewasanansweringtwinkleinCaptainElisha’seye；”well，Steveneedstogrow，too；thoughIwouldn’tpresumetotellhimso。Whenafeller’sundertakin’togiveadvicetooneofthesevenwisemen，hehastobediplomatic，asyoumightsay。”
　　Thelawyerputbackhisheadandlaugheduproariously。”Ha！ha！”hecrowed。”That’sgood！Then，fromyourquestioningofthechildren，you’velearned——？””Notsuchanawfullot。IthinkI’velearnedthat——hum！thatagoodguardianmightbeahandythingtohaveinthehouse。A
　　reg’larlegalguardian，Imean。Otherwise——””Otherwise？””Otherwisetheremightbetoomanydisinterestedvolunteersubstitutesforthejob。MaybeI’mwrong，butIdoubtit。””Haveyoumadeupyourmindtobethatguardian？””Notyet。Ihaven’tmadeupmymindtoanythingyet。Now，Mr。
　　Sylvester，whilewe’rewaitin’forwhatcomesnext——you’veorderedenoughgrubtovictualaship——s’poseyoujustrunoverwhatyourfirmknowsabout’Bije。Thatis，ifIain’taskin’toomuch。””Notatall。That’swhatI’mherefor。Youhavearighttoknow。
　　ButIwarnyoumyinformationisn’tworthmuch。”
　　Hewenton，brieflyandwiththeconcisenessofthelegalmind，totellofA。RodgersWarren，hisbusinessandhisestate。HehadbeenabrokerwithaseatontheStockExchange。”Thatseatisworthconsider’ble，ain’tit？”interruptedthecaptain。”Betweeneightyandonehundredthousanddollars。””Yup。Well，itremindsmeofapictureIsawonceinoneofthecomicpapers。Anoldfellerfromthebackwoodssomewheres——gooddeallikeme，hewas，andjustaboutasgreen——waspicturedstandin’alongwithhiscitynephewinthegalleryoftheExchange。
　　Andthenephewsays，’Uncle，’sayshe，’doyourealizethataseatdownthere’swuthseventy-fivethousanddollars？’’Gosh！’saystheoldman，’nowondermostof’emarestandin’up。’Ho！ho！Isthatseatof’Bije’spartofthefivehundredthousandyoufiggerhe’sleft？””Yes，inawayitis。Tobetruthful，CaptainWarren，we’renotsureastotheamountofyourbrother’stangibleassets。Gravesmadeahurriedexaminationofthestocks，bonds，andmemoranda，andestimatedthetotal，that’sall。””Isee。Well，heaveahead。”
　　Thelawyerwenton。Thedeadbroker’sofficehadbeenonBroadStreet。Asmalloffice，withbuttwoclerks。Oneoftheclerkswasretained，andtheoffice，havingbeenleasedforayearbyitsformertenant，wasstillopenpendingthesettlementoftheestate。
　　A。RodgersWarrenpersonallywasamanwholookedolderthanhereallywas，agoodliver，andpopularamonghiscompanions。”Whatsortoffellerswerehiscompanions？”askedCaptainElisha。”Youmeanhisfriendsinsociety，orhiscompanionsdowntowninWallStreet？””TheWallStreetones。IguessIcanfindoutsomethingaboutthesocietyones。Anyhow，Icantry。TheseWallStreetersthat’Bijechummedwith——aquietlot，wasthey？”
　　Sylvesterhesitated。”Why——why——notparticularlyso，”headmitted。”Nothingcrookedaboutthem，ofcourse。Yousee，astock-broker’slifeisanerve-racking，ratherexcitingone，and——””And’Bijeandhischumswereexcited，too，hey？Allright，youneedn’tgoanyfurther。Hewasagoodhusbandwhilehiswifelived，wa’n’the？””Yes。Frankly，CaptainWarren，sofarasIknow，yourbrother’spersonalhabitsweregood。Therewasnothingagainsthischaracter。””I’mmightygladtohearit。Mightyglad。Isthereanythingelseyoucantellme？””No。Ournextmove，providedyoudecidetoacceptthetrust，theexecutorship，andtherest，istogettogether——youandGraves，ifheiswellenough；youandIifheisnot——andbeginacarefulexaminationofthestocks，bonds，assets，anddebtsoftheestate。
　　Thismustbedonefirstofall。””Graveshintedtherewa’n’tanydebts，toamounttoanything。””Sofaraswecansee，therearenone，exceptafewtriflingbills。””Yes，yes。Hum！”CaptainElishaputdownhiscoffeespoonandseemedtobethinking。Heshookhishead。”Youappeartobepuzzledaboutsomething，”observedthelawyer，whowaswatchinghimintently。”Iam。IwaspuzzledaforeIlefthome，andI’mjustaspuzzlednow。””Whatpuzzlesyou？ifImayask。””Everything。And，ifyou’llexcusemysayin’so，Mr。Sylvester，I
　　guessitpuzzlesyou，too。”
　　Hereturnedhishost’slook。Thelatterpushedbackhischair，preparatorytorising。”Itisallsoperfectlysimple，onthefaceofit，CaptainWarren，”
　　hesaid。”Yourbrotherrealizedthathemustdie，thathischildrenandtheirmoneymustbetakencareof；youwerehisnearestrelative；histrustinyourhonestyandjudgmentcausedhimtooverlooktheestrangementbetweenyou。That’sthecase，isn’tit？””Yes。That’sthecase，onthefaceofit，asyousay。Butyou’veforgottomentiononeitem。””What’sthat？””’Bijehimself。Youknewhimprettywell，Icanseethat。SodidI。AndIguessthat’swhywe’rebothpuzzled。”
　　CaptainElishafoldedhisnapkinwithcareandstoodup。Sylvesterrose，also。”Comedownstairs，”hesaid。”Wecanenjoyourcigarsmorecomfortablythere，andgoonwithourtalk。Thatis，unlessyou’reinagreathurry。””No，Iain’tinanyspecialhurry。SoIgetuptoCaroline’sinseasonforsupper——er，dinner，Imean——Idon’tcare。ButIdon’twanttokeepyou。You’reabusyman。””Thisisbusiness。Thisway，Captain。”
　　Thebigloungingroomoftheclub，onthefirstfloor，FifthAvenueside，wasalmostemptywhentheyenteredit。Thelawyerdrewtwobigchairsneartheopenfire，rangthebell，andorderedcigars。
　　Afterthecigarswerelightedandthefragrantcloudsoftobaccosmokewererising，hereopenedtheconversation。Andnow，inaneasy，diplomaticway，hetookhisturnatquestioning。
　　Itwasprettythoroughpumping，managedwiththeskillofanexperiencedcross-examiner。CaptainElisha，withoutrealizingthathewasdoingso，toldofhisboyhood，hislifeatsea，hishomeatSouthDenboro，hispositioninthevillage，hisworkasselectman，asmemberoftheschoolcommittee，andasdirectorinthebank。
　　Thetoneofthequestionerexpressednothing——hewastoowelltrainedforthat——buteveryitemofinformationwastabulatedandappraised。
　　Thetallmahogany-casedclockstruckthree，thenfour。Thelawyerfinishedhiscigarandlitanother。Heofferedafreshonetohisguest，buttheofferwasdeclined。”No，thankyou，”observedthecaptain。”I’vebeenyarnin’awaysofastthatmybreath’sbeentoobusytokeepthisonegoin’。
　　There’sconsider’bleleftyet。ThisisabettersmokethanI’musedtogettin’atthestoredownhome。ItellRyder——he’sourstorekeeperandpostmaster——thathemustbuyhiscigarsonthereelandcut’emoffwiththescissors。Whenthegangofusallgota-
　　goin’mailtimes，itsmellslikearope-walkburnin’down。Ho！ho！
　　Itdoes，forafact。YetIkindofenjoyoneofhisfive-centers，afterall。Youcangetusedtomostanything。Maybeit’sthehomeflavororthesociety。P’rapsthey’dtastebetterstilliftheywasmadeofseaweed。I’lltroubleyouforamatch，Mr。Sylvester。
　　Twoof’em，ifyoudon’tmind。”
　　Hewhittledonematchtoapointwithhispocketknife，impaledthecigarstumpuponit，andrelitwiththeother。
　　Meanwhiletheroomhadbeenfillingup。AroundeachofthebigwindowsoverlookingtheAvenueweregatheredgroupsofmen，youngandold，smoking，chatting，andgazingidlyout。CaptainElisharegardedthemcuriously。”Thisain’taholiday，isit？”heasked，afterawhile。”No。Why？””Iwasjustwonderin’ifallthosefellershadn’tanyworktodo，that’sall。””Who？Thatcrowd？”Thelawyerlaughed。”Oh，they’redoingtheirregularstunt。You’llfindmostofthemhereeveryafternoonaboutthistime。””Youdon’tsay。Pay’emwagesforit，doyou？””NotthatIknowof。Someofthemarebrokers，whocomeupaftertheExchangecloses。Othersarebusinessmen，activeorretired。
　　Somedon’thaveanybusiness——exceptwhatthey’redoingnow。””Iwanttoknow！Humph！Theyremindmeoftheganginthebilliardroombackhome。Thebilliard-roomers——thechronicones——
　　don’thaveanybusiness，either，excepttokeepthedustfromcollectin’onthechairs。Thatandtalkin’abouthardtimes。
　　Thesechapsdon’tseemtobesufferin’fromhardtimes，much。””No。Mostoftheyoungersethaverichfathersorhaveinheritedmoney。””Isee。Theylettheoldmandotheworryin’。That’sphilosophy，anyhow。Whataretheysointerestedinoutside？Paradegoin’by？””No。Iimagineanunusuallyprettygirlpassedjustthen。””Isthatso？Well，well！Say，Mr。Sylvester，thelongerIstayinNewYorkthemoreIseethatthemaindifferencebetweenitandSouthDenboroissize。Thebilliard-roomgangactsjustthesamewaywhenthedownstairsschoolteachergoespast。Hello！””Whatisit？””Thatyoungchapbythemizzenwindowlookssortoffamiliartome。
　　Theonethatstooduptoshakeaday-daytowhoeverwaspassin’。
　　Hum！He’smadeahit，ain’the？Iexpectsomeunprotectedfemale’sheartbrokeatthatsignal。Ical’lateIknowhim。””Who？Whichone？Oh，that’syoungCorcoranDunn。Heisalady-
　　killer，inhisownestimation。Howd’yedo，Dunn。”
　　Theyoungmanturninggrinningfromthewindow，caughtaglimpseofthelawyerasthelatterrosetoidentifyhim。Hestrolledovertothefire。”Hello，Sylvester，”hehailed，carelessly。”Thatwasapeach。Youshouldhaveseenher。What？Why，it’stheAdmiral！””Howd’yedo，Mr。Dunn，”saidCaptainElisha。”Haveyoutwometbefore？”askedSylvesterinastonishment。”Yes。Ihadthepleasureofassistinginthewelcomingsalutewhenourseafarin’friendcomeaboard。Howwasthat，Captain？Somenauticalclasstothatremark？””Yup。Youdonefustrate，considerin’howrecentyoushipped。””Thanks。Overwhelmed，I’msure。”Then，withalookoflanguidamusementatthepair，”Whatisthis——ameetingoftheBoardofNavalAffairs？Haveyouboughtayacht，Sylvester？””No。”Thelawyer’stonewassharp。”Humph！Well，takemyadviceanddon’t。Yachtsareallright，tohaveagoodtimeon，buttheycostlikethedeviltokeepup。Anautoisbadenough。Bytheway，Sylvester，didyouhearaboutmyrunningovertheIrishmanthismorning？””Runningover？”repeatedthecaptain，aghast。”Youdidn’trunovernobody，Ihope。””Well，Icamedevilishnearit。Ha！ha！Yousee，theoldtarrierwascrossingSaintNicholasAvenue，withabigmarketbasketfullofprovisions——thefamilydinner，Isuppose。ByJove，thehouseholdappetitesmustbegoodones。Itwasslipperyasthemischief，Iwasrunningthecar，andItriedtogobetweenthefellowandthecurb。ItwouldhavebeenadecentbitofsteeringifI’dmadeit。But——ha！ha！——byJove，youknow，Ididn’t。I
　　skidded。Themanhimselfmanagedtohopoutoftheway，buthisfootslipped，anddownhewent。Mostridiculousthingyoueversaw。Andthestreet！’Ponmyworditwaspavedwitheatables。”
　　Sylvester，plainlyannoyed，didnotreply。ButCaptainElisha’sconcernwasevident。”Thepoorcritter！”heexclaimed。”Whatdidyoudo？””ThelastIsawofhimhewassittinginthemud，lookingattheupset。Ididn’tlinger。Peterstookthewheel，andwebeatit。
　　Luckythecopdidn’tspotthelicensenumber。Mighthavecostmefifty。They’vehadmeupforspeedingtwicebefore。WhatareyouandtheAdmiraldiscussing，Sylvester？””Wewerediscussingabusinessmatter，”answeredthelawyer，withsignificantemphasis。”Business？Why，sure！IforgotthatyouwereGraves’spartner。
　　Settlingthefamilyaffairs，hey？Well，Iwon’tbuttin。Ta，ta！
　　Seeyoulater，Captain。Youmustgoforaspininthatcarofmine。I’llcallforyousomeday。I’llshowyousomethingtheydon’tdoonCapeCod。RegardstoCaroandSteve。”
　　Hemovedoff，feelingthathisinvitationwouldhavemetwithhismother’sapproval。Shehadannouncedthatthecountryunclewastobe”cultivated。”
　　CaptainElisha’scigarhadgoneout。Hedidnotattempttorelightit。”Whew！”hewhistled。”Well，whenIgofora’spin，’ashecallsit，withHIM，Ical’latemyhead’llbespinnin’soIwon’tberesponsibleformyactions。Whew！”
　　Sylvesterlookedcuriouslyathim。”Soyoumethimbefore？”heasked。”Yes。HewasattheroomswhenIfustlanded。Orhismotherwastherethen。HecamealittlelaterwithCarolineandStephen。””Isee。””Yes。Knowhimandhismaprettywell，doyou？””Slightly。I’vemetthem，atmutualacquaintances’homesandabouttown。””Prettywellfixed，Is’pose，ain’tthey？””Ipresumeso。Idon’tknow。””Um。He’sasociableyoungfeller，ain’the？Don’tstandonanyceremony，hey？CaroandStevethinkalotofhimandhismother。””Yes。GraveshastoldmetheDunnswereveryintimatewiththeWarrens。Infact，justbeforeyourbrother’sdeath，Irememberhearingarumorthatthetwofamiliesmightbeevencloserconnected。””Youmean——er——Carolineand——er——him？””Therewassucharumor。Probablynothinginit。Thereisnoengagement，Iamverysure。””Yes，yes，Isee。Well，Mr。Sylvester，Imustbetrottin’on。
　　I’llthinkthewholebusinessoverforanotherdayorsoandthengiveyoumydecision，onewayortheother。””Youcan’tgiveitnow？””No-o。IguessI’dbetternot。However，Ithink——””Yes。””Well，IthinkImaytakethejob。Takeitontrial，anyhow。””Good！I’mgladofit。””YouARE？””Icertainlyam。AndI’mverygladindeedtohavemadeyouracquaintance，CaptainWarren。Goodafternoon。Ishallhopetoseeyouagainsoon。”
　　CaptainElishalefttheCentralClubinasurprisedframeofmind。
　　WhatsurprisedhimwasthatamanofsuchthoroughcitytrainingandhabitsastheseniorpartnerofthelawfirmshouldexpresspleasureattheideaofhisacceptingthechargeofA。RodgersWarren’sheirsandestate。Mr。Graveshadshownnosuchfeeling。
　　IfhehadheardSylvester’sreporttoKuhn，attheofficenextday，hemighthavebeenevenmoresurprisedandpleased。”He’sabrick，Kuhn，”declaredtheseniorpartner。”Acountryman，ofcourse，butakeen，able，honestman，and，Ithink，amightygoodjudgeofcharacter。IfIwasassureofhisabilitytojudgeinvestmentsandfinancialaffairs，IshouldbecertaintheWarrenchildrencouldn’tbeinbetterhands。Andnodoubtwecanhelphimwhenitcomestothat。He’llprobablyhandlethegirlandboyinhisownway，andhisoutsidegreennessmayjarthemalittle。Butit’lldothemgoodtobejarredattheirage。He’sallright，andIhopeheacceptsthewholetrust。””Well，”exclaimedMr。Kuhn；”yousurpriseme。Gravesseemedtobe——””Gravessuffersfromtheabsolutelackofasenseofhumor。Hispaththroughlifeisaboutthreefeetwideandborderedwithrock-
　　ribbedconventionality。Ifamanhasajokeinhissystem，Gravesdoesn’tunderstanditandissuspicious。Itell，you，Kuhn，there’smorehonestcommonsenseandabilityintherighthandofthisDown-EastsaltthanthereeverwasinRodgersWarren’swholebody。”