They sought out the district down near the water-side where they knew there would be slop-shops whose proprietors would be only too glad to turn an honest penny and keep silent. They came upon such a place within a few moments after entering the quarter frequented by the seamen who came into that port. There were old clothes in great variety hung about the door upon pegs, and a long-bearded, hook-nosed man prowled up and down, his sharp eyes ever alert for customers. “Oh,” said he, rubbing his hands together as they paused before the place. “How do you do, Jack? Soldier, I am glad to see you, my son. Just step inside. If it is clothing you want, or jewelry, you have come to the right place. I have a stock, my dears, that can’t be matched in London.” “For badness, I suppose you mean,” said Ethan, as they followed him in. The hook-nosed man laughed and jagged the boy playfully with his elbow. “Jack-tars,” said he, “always like their joke. But I enjoy it, my son; for I understand your fun.” He looked at them from under shaggy brows, with eyes that twinkled with cunning. “It is not jewelry you want?” he said. “No,” answered Ethan. Again the man laughed. “I knew it,” he said. “It is clothing--clothing such as most citizens of London wear--clothing that will pass you in the crowd along with the thousand and one others and will cause no man to look at you twice.” He leered at them knowingly; and Dale said, “You are a wise man, friend; so let us see these garments of which you speak.” The man promptly spread many suits of more or less worn clothing before them. “Youth,” spoke he, sagely, as they were selecting, “is ever desiring a change. They are not satisfied with the dull life they lead--and so go into the navy, or army. And,” with a chuckle of malice, “they grow tired of that very soon, as a rule; and then they come to me, change their clothes and slip away.” “You think us deserters, then,” said Ethan. “My son, I think nothing. I take your money and give you the goods you buy. I never question my customers. But,” with one dirty finger laid alongside his nose, “I sometimes hazard a guess.” They selected the garments which they preferred, and a few moments later they had donned them. “We’ll leave the others,” said Ethan, as he paid the bill. “You can do what you like with them.” “You are very kind,” smirked the hook-nosed man. “And I thank you much.” He followed them outside and stood watching them as they went down the street. “A knave, or I never saw one,” remarked Dale with a backward glance over his shoulder. “I think you are right,” said Ethan. “I suppose most of these water-side characters are alike; they’d sell any one if the price were high enough.” They turned a corner, out, as they supposed, of the man’s view; a little further on Ethan suddenly grasped Dale’s arm. “Look there,” he whispered, his face paling with sudden excitement. “What is it?” asked the ex-master’s mate of the Lexington.