gods had a gift for me after all! Wonder what I shall do with it!"

And then abruptly the smile became a mocking grimace that banished all
the kindliness from his face. He snapped his fingers and laughed as he
had laughed a little earlier when his cigarette had fallen into the water
with a sound like the hiss of a serpent.

"I--wonder!" he said again.




CHAPTER IV

TOBY


It was contrary to Captain Larpent's habit to show surprise at any time,
whatever the caprices of his patron, but he did look at Saltash somewhat
harder than usual when the latter informed him in his breezy fashion of
the unexpected addition to the yacht's company. He also frowned a little
and smoothed his beard as though momentarily puzzled.

"You won't want to be bothered with him," he said after brief reflection.
"Better let him sleep in the forecastle."

"Not for the present," said Saltash. "I am going to train him, and I'll
keep him under my own eye. The little beggar has had a pretty rough time
of it to judge by appearances. I've a fancy for looking after him
myself."