The yarn about passing his word was so
that you shouldn't open your mouth too wide. You were to do the
persuading, and then he could make his own terms. Do you see? Why, it's
as plain as A B C."
"Plain as the alphabet," said Mr. Stobell, almost chidingly.
Mr. Chalk gasped and looked from one to the other.
"I should like to have a chat with the captain about it," continued Mr.
Tredgold, slowly and impressively. "I'm a business man and I could put
it on a business footing. It's a big risk, of course; all those things
are . . . but if we went shares . . . if we found the money----"
He broke off and, filling his pipe slowly, gazed in deep thought at the
wall. His friends waited expectantly.
"Combine business with pleasure," resumed Mr. Tredgold, lighting his
pipe; "sea-air . . . change . . . blow away the cobwebs . . . experience
for Edward to be left alone. What do you think, Stobell?" he added,
turning suddenly.
Mr. Stobell gripped the arms of his chair in his huge hands and drew his
bulky figure to a more upright position.
"What do you mean by combining business with pleasure?" he said, eyeing
him with dull suspicion.
"Chalk is set on a trip for the love of it," explained Mr.
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