.

"There's more here than appears," the anxious skipper went on.
"Tommy," said he, gravely, "there's something back o' this."

The clerk beat a devil's tattoo in perturbation.

"There's more suspected than these words tell," the skipper declared.

"'Tis by sheer good luck, Skipper George," said the clerk, "that we've
a vessel t' take home. I tell you, b'y," said he, flushing with
suspicion and rage, "I don't trust Tom Tulk. He'd sell his mother for
a slave for a thousand dollars."

"Tom Tulk!" Skipper George exclaimed. "By thunder!" he roared, "Tom
Tulk has blowed!"

For the second time that day the rat-like little clerk of the _Black
Eagle_ bared his teeth--now with a little snarl.

"They've no proof," said the skipper.

"True," the clerk agreed; "but they's as many as two lost jobs aboard
this vessel. They'll be two able-bodied seamen lookin' for a berth
when the _Black Eagle_ makes St. John's."

"Well, Tommy Bull," said the skipper, with a shrug, "'tis the clerk
that makes prices aboard a tradin' schooner; and 'twill be the clerk
that will explain in this particular case."

"Huh!" Tommy Bull sneered.

Next day the _Black Eagle_, with her fish again aboard, put to sea and
sped off on a straight course for St. John's. Notwithstanding the
difficulties in store, clerk and skipper were in good humour with all
the world (except Tom Tulk); and the crew was never so light-hearted
since the voyage began. But as the day drew along--and as day by day
passed--and as the home port and Sir Archibald's level eyes came ever
nearer--the skipper grew troubled. Why should the _Black Eagle_ have
been ordered home? Why had Sir Archibald used that mysterious and
unusual word "forthwith" with such emphasis? What lay behind the
brusque order? Had Tom Tulk played false? Would there be a constable
on the wharf? With what would Sir Archibald charge the skipper?
Altogether, the skipper of the _Black Eagle_ had never sailed a more
disquieting voyage. And when the _Black Eagle_ slipped through the
narrows to St. John's harbour he was like a dog come home for a
thrashing.

-----

[6] As related in "The Adventures of Billy Topsail."

CHAPTER XXXI

_In Which the "Spot Cash" is Picked up by Blow-Me-Down
Rock In Jolly Harbour, Wreckers Threaten Extinction and
the Honour of the Firm Passes into the Keeping of Billy
Topsail_

The _Spot Cash_ made for the French Shore with all the speed her heels
could co