"He is here," said the captain quietly, "but the mischief he has done is little. My methods have wasted his efforts; and in time," with a gesture, "I hope to do more." "If I had been given a free hand that night at the Crooked Billet," said Tarrant, "this young spark would have troubled none of us afterwards." "I doubt if you'd have been able to do anything," said Weir. "Like as not he would have killed you. I saw it in his eye." "An active lad," admitted Blake, "and a clever one." But Tarrant sat frowning into the fire, and said nothing; and Blake went on, speaking to Weir, "Well, you've brought us from Chester in the devil's own downpour; and, as I think it was not to talk of bygones, suppose we come to the point of the matter at once and so settle our minds." "It can be made plain to you in a moment," said Weir. "The usurer, Bulfinch, is dead, and his sons hold certain bills of his against Rufus Stevens' Sons, which are about to mature." "Well?" said Blake. "Their father and I had a private understanding--one completely between ourselves. If he had lived, the time of these bills would have been extended. He would have understood the necessity of this, but his heirs do not. You," to Tarrant, "have had dealings of one sort or another with this pair, and have influence with them. That is why I have called you to-night. You must speak to them; it is most important that nothing be done that might cloud the credit of Rufus Stevens' Sons at this time." "At this time?" repeated Tarrant, his eyes narrowing. "Why not just at this time?" "Rumors spread," said Captain Weir. "They seem to be carried by the wind. Ship's gossips take them across the seas; letters carry them. I would not for a great deal have even a hint of trouble for the firm now; for in the space of a few months the ship _Rufus Stevens_ begins taking in her cargo at Calcutta, and who knows what damage a slighting rumor might do?" "I see," said Tarrant, and he turned fully about in his chair. "The vessel is to stow as rich a cargo as ever came out of the East; and even the smallest evil report may prevent its being put aboard." "I understand," said Tarrant. There was a silence; then he asked: "And am I to further understand that old arrangements between us, in matters of this kind, still stand?" "They do. And your share of the labor is to see to it that the Bulfinches hold both their hands and their tongues." Tarrant now laughed gleefully. All the anger had gone out of his face; he was vastly excited; words poured from him.