"No; we're all tired," said the doctor. "I did not say anything to you, Meadows; but I thought we had done enough, so I sent off word to the captain to say that we had come down, and I shouldn't be surprised if he comes over to the hotel by and by." It fell out just as the doctor had said, for about half-an-hour later the waiter came into the room to say that Captain Bradleigh would be glad to see Sir John Meadows; and Jack looked up curiously as a ruddy, tan-faced, rather fierce-looking man, with very crisp hair, beard sprinkled with grey, and keen, piercing grey eyes, shaded by rather shaggy brows, entered, glanced quickly round as he took off his gold-braided yachting cap, and at once addressed Sir John, as if quite sure that he was the principal. "Sir John Meadows?" he said courteously, but with a ring of authority in his words. "Yes; will you sit down. This is my friend, Doctor Instow; my son." The captain shook hands with the two elders, giving them a firm, manly grip, short and sharp, as if he meant business; but his pressure of Jack's thin, white hand was gentle, and he retained it in his strong, firm palm as he said-- "Ah! father--doctor--you have been ill, young gentleman?" "I? No," said Jack, with a look of resentment. "Unwell, not bad," said the captain kindly. "Only want a sea-trip to do you good;" and he smiled pleasantly, looking like an Englishman full of firmness and decision, such a one as people would like to trust in a case of emergency. "I got your message, gentlemen," he said, as he took a chair, "and I came on at once." "Thank you," said Sir John. "The agent wrote me a long letter, saying you might come down; but I did not think much of it, for I have had so many from him that have come to nothing." "People don't like the yacht then?" said Sir John, rather anxiously. "Oh yes, sir, they like the yacht," said the captain, with a little laugh. "No one could help liking her. They don't like the price." "Ah, the price," said Sir John quietly; and the captain gave him a searching look. "Yes, sir, the price; and it is a pretty good round sum; but I give you my word it is just one-third of what it cost Mr Ensler." "Oh! you know what it cost?" said Sir John. "Well, I ought to, sir," said the captain, smiling, a peculiarly frank, pleasant smile. "When he came over from New York five years ago, I was recommended to him, and he trusted me fully. She was built under my eyes, up in the Clyde, and I watched everything, as she was fitted up of the very best material, regardless of expense. The cheques all passed through my hands, so I think I ought to know." "Yes, of course. The agent told me the yacht was built expressly for an American gentleman."