"Yes, quite alone. I am smoking a pipe of peace by myself. You have just come at the right time." They entered the room, and then, as the light of the sunset fell upon the solicitor's face, Allen perceived its haggard expression. "How queer you look, Carew!" he exclaimed. "Are you ill?" "Ill--no, not at all; but worried--worried almost out of my life," replied Carew wildly, throwing himself into a chair, and putting his face between his hands. Allen sat in a chair opposite to him, refilled and lit his pipe, and, as he smoked, gazed at his friend with feelings of perplexed compassion. "Have a pipe, old fellow; there is nothing like a pipe for worry." "A pipe?" cried Carew, with contemptuous bitterness. "No; but have you some brandy? Give me some brandy." "Certainly, Carew," and the barrister produced a spirit-case, some glasses, and water. Carew poured a quantity of spirit into a glass and drank it neat. He was usually a temperate man. "That is not the way to clear one's brain for confronting one's troubles," remarked Allen. "No, you are right. It is foolish of me. Allen, I have come to say that I shall be very glad to accompany you on your cruise." "I am delighted to hear that. A good blow in the North Sea will do you good, if your mind is so upset." "Allen," said Carew, pulling himself together and speaking with more self-possession, "I wish I could speak to you of the business that is troubling me, but I am not at liberty to do so. It concerns others." "I don't want to know anything about it, old man; but I am sure you will soon get out of your trouble, whatever it is. With an easy conscience no man is miserable for long. And now that I have secured you as a hand, I have a sufficient crew. So we will start to-morrow morning. Will you be ready by then?" "I am ready now. You see I have brought my baggage with me." "Then, as we have to catch an early train to-morrow, you had better sleep to-night in my chambers; I can put you up. Our destination is the Dutch coast, old man, and we should have a jolly time of it. You have not yet seen my new boat, the _Petrel_--a yawl of twenty-eight tons, yacht measurement; a splendid sea-boat. I would go anywhere in her. She is now lying off Erith." Carew had been listening attentively. "What crew do you carry?" he asked. "Ah, let me tell you that you will have lots of work to do. We shall be but three all told. I have shipped one hand only--Jim, the fisherman, who was with me last year. Another friend was coming with me, but he has disappointed me." "For how long will you be away?" "About a fortnight. I have been a bit fagged of late, and want a holiday. I only made up my mind to take this cruise this afternoon. Not a soul but yourself knows we are going."