'Mr. Moore,' said he, after a short silence, 'you are a stranger in Cape Town. I have many friends. If I can be useful, you will, I beg, command me.' I thanked him and said I had brought a few letters of introduction, but, conceiving the purpose of my visit ended when I viewed the photographs, I had called nowhere. I slightly referred to my position in London--that is, as a partner in my father's bank--and added that the manager of a South African bank, whose headquarters were in Cape Town, had been a senior clerk in my father's office, but that I had not visited him. 'Would not the British admiral who is at St. Simon's Town,' said he, 'send out a ship of war to search for the wreck?' I replied quickly, 'No, I must go myself,' and added, 'You may not have had experience in the ways of British officials.' He smiled and answered. 'The admiral might give you leave to go in the ship he sent.' 'I can tell you exactly how it would be,' said I. 'I go to the admiral and the admiral demands the log-book of the whaler. The whaler has sailed, the admiral requires full particulars of the wreck before despatching one of his ships to a perilous part of the world; full particulars can be obtained only in London. By the time the British admiral sees his way the hull, when sought, has disappeared.' He smiled again, stroking his chin. 'When I left the whaler,' said I, finding it eased my heart to talk, and pleased with his plain sympathy, 'I had formed a resolution. It may be, sir, that you are able to help me in it.' He bowed. 'I intend at once--that is, to-morrow, if to-morrow will provide me with the opportunity--to hire a vessel and sail for Coronation Island as promptly as she can be equipped and victualled.' 'Ah,' he exclaimed, 'that looks like business. It will be expensive----' I interrupted him with an exclamation. 'Yes,' he exclaimed, a little ruefully, 'that should not be thought of; it will be a marvellous, noble thing to save the life of your young lady and her companions. How can I help, now?--let me see. I am acquainted with most of the leading merchants here; I believe that my friend Mr. Vanderbyl is expecting a consignment from our Australian port. Perhaps the vessel has arrived. I will inquire. If it is the same brig that was here last spring she will be the very boat for you. Her name is the "Albatross." Did you observe a brig painted white amongst the shipping when you went on board the whaler?' 'I did not.' 'If she comes with the same captain and can be hired, he will be your man; Captain Christopher Cliffe, a little clever, honest, sober sailor. I know him very well. He was second mate of a ship I sailed to England in. Well, I will inquire and see what is to be done, and you also will inquire. But the "Albatross" is your ship, sir--a clipper. She slides like a knife through the sea, and should put you abreast of the hull as quickly as steam.' 'But she is not yet arrived.' 'She is due.'