The landlord went out with a load of plates and dishes, and Captain Jackman sat musing in front of the fire, of whose warmth and comfort he was greatly in need. After a short absence the landlord returned, accompanied by a man whose extremely ugly face discovered many marks of astonishment. He bobbed from side to side to catch a view of the gentleman who wanted him. He wore a little grey wig, and was deeply pitted with small-pox; he was blind of one eye, and the other looked into his nose, so that it amazed those he conversed with that he saw them. 'Is it Thomas Bruton that you want, gentleman?' said the man, stepping round the table to the side of the captain and staring at him. 'Are you he?' answered Jackman, rising and smiling. 'Ay, and not ashamed of it,' responded the fellow, whose appearance was decidedly villainous. 'I want ten minutes' talk with you; sit down. Landlord, fetch this gentleman a pint of ale, and kindly leave us.' This was done. Bruton continued to run his malevolent eye with amazement all over the captain, who resumed his seat. 'I understand,' began Captain Jackman, 'that you are the proprietor of a little property, some twelve or fifteen miles down the coast here, called Bugsby's Hole.' 'They're right who says so,' answered the man, sitting squarely before his liquor. 'You want to sell it?' 'To him as 'll buy, yes.' 'First, what's your price?' 'Sixty pound cash down. I've lived in that house myself, and can warrant it.' 'I'll give you that money for it, if the house and the neighbourhood and the cave suit me,' said Jackman. 'You want the cave too!' said the man, with an ugly expressive grin. 'I buy the house because I may require the cave.' 'Well,' said the man after a little reflection, 'ye shall have the cave in. First class of their sort they are; but they never would ha' been included if ye hadn't offered for the house outright, nor would I ha' been willin' to let the house on any terms.' 'So I had gathered, and was prepared for. Ask no questions,' said the captain, 'and I'll ask none. When can I view the property?' Bruton pulled out a heavy gold watch. 'Not to-day!' exclaimed the captain, 'I am dog-tired. Can you procure a vehicle so that we may start to-morrow at about ten o'clock?' 'Right, sir!' said the man with a great manner of cheerfulness. At the hour named Bruton drove up to the 'Nelson Inn' in a light cart drawn by a small strong horse, and Captain Jackman got in. A little crowd had collected to witness their going. A stranger was the rarest of coast gulls in those parts. His face, his apparel, his bearing, suggested a distant place and another sort of civilization. Bruton flicked his horse, and they started down a pebbly roaring road. There was no talking. They went over ruts and ridges presently at a rate of about ten miles an hour, and the captain was flung over Bruton's knee, and still there was no talking.