Marston sympathized and ordered drinks. Elliot drained his glass and turned to Wyndham. "Well," he said, "she was insured and I want another boat. What's your price for _Red Rose_?" "_Red Rose_ is not for sale," Marston interposed. "Then why did Forwood tell me you wanted an offer?" Marston looked at Wyndham, who nodded. "It's all right, Bob; I'm going to sell." Then he turned to Elliot and stated a sum. "A moderate price!" the other remarked. "I'll admit it's less than I thought. Is she sound?" "She is not," Wyndham replied. "Port side's weak where the strain of the rigging comes; she needs some new timbers. The covering board ought to be relaid all round. Keel's shaky aft; the deadwood ought to be lifted----" He indicated the repairs he thought necessary and Elliot looked at him with surprise. "Since you want to sell, aren't you taking a rather unusual line?" Wyndham smiled. "I allowed for defects when I fixed the price. The carpenter's job will be expensive, but if it's properly done, the boat will afterwards be nearly as good as new. I think you can rely on this." Marston gave his partner a puzzled glance and Elliot said, "After your frankness, I'll buy her and take my chance." "I imagine it's a safe investment," Wyndham rejoined. For a few moments Elliot was quiet and then he fixed his eyes on Wyndham and said in a thoughtful voice, "_Red Rose_ is fast and you sailed her cleverly. All the same, I never understood how you beat us when you won the Commodore's cup." "I imagine I went the wrong side of the Knoll buoy," Wyndham answered coolly. "Perhaps this gave us some advantage, because the tide runs longer near the coast." Marston moved abruptly, but Wyndham went on: "I'm not certain; but if you had filed a protest, I wouldn't have claimed the prize. Bob thought he saw something in the haze. It might have been a gull, but it might have been the buoy. Anyhow, we went on and the tide carried us along the shore." The short silence that followed had a hint of strain. Wyndham knew Elliot knew his winning the race had appealed to Flora's imagination. Moreover, he thought Elliot had wanted to marry Flora and would have had Chisholm's support. Marston saw they had got on awkward ground, and felt embarrassed. "After all you did beat us and you were not sure it was the buoy," Elliot said, in a quiet, meaning voice. "It's too late to file a protest now. Besides, we were talking about the boat----" "I'll put her on the hard, if you'd like a proper survey before you decide." "No," said Elliot. "I don't think it's needful. Your statement satisfied me. I'll buy her." He went off and Wyndham gave Marston a smile. "You look surprised, Bob." "Let's have another drink," said Marston, who called a waiter and then resumed awkwardly: "Elliot played up pretty well. I like the fellow; he's a sportsman, but after all I think it was a gull we saw. Anyhow, we won't bother about it again. Why have you sold _Red Rose_?"