How did the crew know of the
treasure?"
"Chalk told you," responded the obedient Duckett. "And if he told you
--and he can't deny it--why not them?"
Captain Briskett nodded approval. "It's all right as far as I can see,"
he said, cautiously. "But mind. Leave the telling of it to me. You can
just chip in with little bits here and there. Now let's get under way."
He threw away the stump of his cigar and rose, turning as he reached the
corner for a lingering glance at the Fair Emily.
"Scrape her and clean her and she'd be as good as ever," he said, with a
sigh. "She's just the sort o' little craft you and me could ha' done
with, Peter."
They had to change twice on the way to Binchester, and at each
stopping-place Mr. Duckett, a prey to nervousness, suggested the wisdom
of disappearing while they had the opportunity.
"Disappear and starve, I suppose?" grunted the scornful Brisket. "What
about my certificate? and yours, too? I tell you it's our only chance."
He walked up the path to Mr. Chalk's house with a swagger which the mate
endeavoured in vain to imitate. Mr. Chalk was out, but the captain,
learning that he was probably to be found at Dialstone Lane, decided to
follow him there rather than first take his tidings to Stobell or
Tredgold.
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