Nothing more was said about Scoble, to the great relief of the young man. He wondered what had become of the miscreant and his vessel, which he had named the “Maud” after his wife, doubtless to assist in conciliating her, and thus make easy his approach to the missing million. Mr. Woolridge had employed detectives to watch the schooner and her owner; but one night the vessel disappeared, and nothing more had been heard from her. Louis had studied the ship-news for weeks without being any the wiser for it. The intending yachtsman hastened to the house of Captain Ringgold as soon as he had finished his supper, and found him at home. The worthy shipmaster had retired from the sea at forty with a competency, not much of it acquired, however, in his profession. He promptly consented to go with Louis on his visit to the Oxford, and to assist him with his knowledge and experience. He asked him some questions about the vessel, and turned up his nose literally at the idea of purchasing such a craft as he described. “You are behind the times, Louis,” said he with emphasis. “You don’t want an old tub like the one you tell me about. You ought to have a steam-yacht.” “A steam-yacht!” exclaimed Louis, laughing at the idea of such extravagance. “I ought to be a ten-millionaire to be able to do that.” “You could be reasonable in running a steam-yacht as in anything else. If you are going to keep a yacht, have something first-class.” “I don’t want a high-flyer, and I am not up to a steam-yacht,” replied Louis, unmoved by the argument. “I know a first-rate chance for you to get the finest steamer that floats, brand-new, and to be sold at a fair price,” Captain Ringgold proceeded. “Colonel Singfield had her built in the very best manner for his own use. She had made her trial trip, and that is all, when the colonel died.” “How much would she cost?” asked the embryo yachtsman rather tamely. “To settle the estate she can be bought, just as she stands, all ready for sea, inside of a hundred thousand dollars, though she cost a good deal more than that.” “Neither my mother nor Uncle Moses would consent to the purchase of a vessel so expensive as that,” said Louis, shaking his head. “If I could afford it I would buy her, for I should like to command just such a craft,” added the captain with enthusiasm. “It is useless for me to think of buying such a vessel. What is her name? I should like to see her; but I am sure she will not be bought for me.” “She has no name yet. Colonel Singfield wished his daughter to find a name, and then they had not agreed upon it when her father died. You could name her to suit yourself, Louis.” “I must not even think of such a thing as a steam-yacht. It would be a very expensive plaything,” persisted Louis. “All right, Louis; I won’t say too much about it. I will go with you to-morrow at the time you say,” added Captain Ringgold, as the visitor took his leave.