"George," he said, briskly, "as I see it, first of all we want to find out just how this affair of yours stands. You write to those New York brokers and get from them a statement of your account--yours and Egbert's. Just what you've bought, how much margin has been put up, how much is left, about those bonds--kind, ratin', numbers and all that. Ask 'em to send you that by return mail. Will you?" "Why--why, yes, I suppose so. But I have seen all that. Mr. Phillips----" "We aren't helpin' out Phillips now. He isn't askin' help, at least I gather he's satisfied to wait. You get this statement on your own hook, and don't tell him you're gettin' it. Will you?" "I'll write for it to-night." "Good! That'll get things started, anyhow. Now is there anything else you want to tell me?" "No--no, I guess not. But, Cap'n Kendrick, do you honestly think there is a chance for me?" For an instant his companion lost patience. "Don't ask that again," he ordered. "There is a chance--yes. How much of a chance we can't tell yet. You go home and stop worryin'. You've turned the wheel over to me, haven't you? Yes; well, then let me do the steerin' for a spell." Kent rose from his chair. He drew a long breath. He looked at the captain, who had risen also, and it was evident that there was still something on his mind. He fidgeted, hesitated, and then hurried forth a labored apology. "I--I am awfully ashamed of myself, Cap'n Kendrick," he began. "That's all right, George. We all make mistakes--business mistakes especially. If I hadn't made one, and a bad one, I might not be stranded here in Judah's galley to-night." "I didn't mean business. I meant I was ashamed of treating you as I have. Ever since that time when--when Elizabeth was here and I came over and--and said all those fool things to you, I--I've been ashamed. I _was_ a fool. I am a fool most of the time, I guess." "Oh, I guess not, George. We're all taken with the foolish disease once in a while." "But I was such a fool. The idea of my being jealous of you--a man pretty nearly old enough to be my father. No, not so old as that, of course, but--older. I don't know what ailed me, but whatever it was, I've paid for it.... She--she has hardly spoken to me since." "I'm sorry, George." "Yes.... Has she--has she said anything about me to you, Cap'n?" "Why--er--no, George, not much. She and I are not--well, not very confidential, outside of business matters, that is." "No, I suppose not. Mr. Phillips told me she had--well, that she and you were not--not as----" "Yes, all right, all right, George; I understand. Outside of Fair Harbor managin' we don't talk of many things." "No, that's what he said. He seemed to think you two had had some sort of quarrel--or disagreement, you know. But I never took much stock in that. After all, why should you and she be interested in the same sort of things? She isn't much older than I am, about my age really, and of course you----"