"Where are you going now, Matt?" Cappy piped.

"Why, you say the Unicorn will compete against the Lion for this charter
I have in mind. That is true enough. I know the Black Butte Lumber
Company will be approached for the Unicorn; so I'm going to get the
Unicorn out of the way and give you a clear field with the Lion. I
figured it all out coming down on the train." And, without waiting to
listen to Cappy's protestations, Matt left the office.

CHAPTER XXIII. BUSINESS AND--

Three minutes later he was closeted with Hudner, of the Black Butte
Lumber Company.

"My name is Peasley, Mr. Hudner," he began truthfully. "I arrived from
Seattle this morning. I am looking for a steam freighter for some very
responsible people and your Unicorn appears to be about the vessel
they're looking for. They would want her to run coastwise, and prefer
to charter at a flat rate a day, owners to pay all expenses of operating
the ship. Would you be willing to charter for sixty days, with an option
on the vessel for an extension of the charter on the same terms for four
years, provided she proves satisfactory for my clients' purposes?"

Mr. Hudner started slightly. Four years! It seemed almost too good to be
true. He was certain of this the next instant when he thought of Cappy
Ricks' Lion, also laid up and as hungry for business as the Unicorn.
He wondered whether this young broker from Seattle had called on Cappy
Ricks as yet; and, wondering, he decided to name a price low enough
to prove interesting and, by closing promptly, eliminate his hated
competitor from all consideration.

"I should be very glad to consider your proposition, Mr. Peasley," he
said. "You say your clients are entirely responsible?"

"They will post a bond if you're not satisfied on that point, Mr.
Hudner. What will you charter the Unicorn for, a day?"

Mr. Hudner pretended to do a deal of figuring. At the end of five
minutes he said: "Three hundred and fifty dollars a day, net to the
vessel."

Matt nodded, rose and reached for his hat.

"I guess you don't want to charter your vessel, sir," he said. "I'm
not working for my health, either; so I guess I'll look for some other
vessel. I hear the Lion is on the market." And without further ado he
walked out.

Mr. Hudner let him go; then ran after him and cornered him in the hall.

"I'll let you have her at three hundred and thirty," he said
desperately; "and that's bedrock. And if your clients elect to t