"Well, I came devilish near it. Ha! ha! You see, the old tarrier
was crossing Saint Nicholas Avenue, with a big market basket full
of provisions--the family dinner, I suppose. By Jove, the household
appetites must be good ones. It was slippery as the mischief, I was
running the car, and I tried to go between the fellow and the curb.
It would have been a decent bit of steering if I'd made it. But--ha!
ha!--by Jove, you know, I didn't. I skidded. The man himself managed
to hop out of the way, but his foot slipped, and down he went. Most
ridiculous thing you ever saw. And the street! 'Pon my word it was paved
with eatables."

Sylvester, plainly annoyed, did not reply. But Captain Elisha's concern
was evident.

"The poor critter!" he exclaimed. "What did you do?"

"The last I saw of him he was sitting in the mud, looking at the upset.
I didn't linger. Peters took the wheel, and we beat it. Lucky the cop
didn't spot the license number. Might have cost me fifty. They've had me
up for speeding twice before. What are you and the Admiral discussing,
Sylvester?"

"We were discussing a business matter," answered the lawyer, with
significant emphasis.

"Business? Why, sure! I forgot that you were Graves's partner. Settling
the family affairs, hey? Well, I won't butt in. Ta, ta! See you later,
Captain. You must go for a spin in that car of mine. I'll call for you
some day. I'll show you something they don't do on Cape Cod. Regards to