“At what price?” asked his friend. “When they get to ninety-eight guineas.” “I suppose you know that makes you liable for about £10,800. There’s £540,000 underwritten.” “I’m good for that,” said Lossing; and an hour afterwards proved himself so, as he had to pay. To this day many Lloyds’ men, who were interested in that scene, congratulate themselves on having made £10,800 salvage by a fluke out of a ship that was totally lost. It began to dawn on Lossing after the event that he had made a fool of himself, and that his luck was through; but he had the sense not to whine aloud, and so his friends forgot the matter in the excitement of other interests. Lossing did not forget, because the bank had written to him that his account was overdrawn, and he had several bills which much wanted paying. Unostentatiously he began to look about him for a means of making a more regular and steady livelihood. As after several months of search this last did not seem any appreciably nearer, he was able to give full attention to a letter he received concerning the _Port Edes_ and her cargo. It was unsigned, and bore an American postmark. It ran as follows:— “Sir. I hear that you are now legitimate owner of the _Port Edes_ and her cargo. She was picked up at sea, and is now in the Everglades of Florida in (here followed the exact latitude and longitude). The specie is taken out of her, and you will find it by digging (here came elaborate cross-bearings and directions). If you are a wise man, and wish to enjoy what is now legally your own, you will say as little about the matter to any one as possible.” The communication was, to say the least of it, mysterious; but, because Lossing was a fool, he did not see so many possibilities in it as a man of more imagination might have done. Moreover, having failed to discover the suitable occupation, the before-mentioned, he was feeling that the end of his tether approached, and appreciated the loneliness of the void which lay beyond. So, with all before him, and nothing behind, he determined to find out how the matter lay with his own eyes, and with that purpose journeyed to the hotel at Point Sebastian, now rebuilt with new magnificence. It was the Floridan winter season, and the place was crowded, and amongst the crowd was Lossing’s old friend, Kent-Williams, again at the end of a new quarter’s allowance. Mr. Reginald Lossing stayed a week at Point Sebastian, and, by the kindly offices of Kent-Williams (who remained on as his guest), he learnt much about the manners and customs of Floridan society. Knowing Patrick Onslow, he heard with interest about his marriage to Miss Elsie Kildare, and with amusement the details of the send-off.