"If you will excuse me, I would rather show it to you than talk about it,"
I returned.

"As you please, sir. When do you want me?"

"The first hour you can come."

"To-morrow morning?"

"If you feel inclined."

"For that matter, I'd rather go to bed."

"Come to me instead: it's light work."

"I will, sir--at ten o'clock."

"If you please."

And so it was arranged.






CHAPTER IV.

THE LIFE-BOAT.