my own mind, that the work will be carried out in a proper
manner. How much do you think it will cost me?"

"Five thousand pounds in good, solid English gold," answered MacAndrew;
"and what is more, the money must be paid down before I put my hand to
the job."

[Illustration: "Five thousand pounds in good, solid English gold."]

"But, pardon my alluding to it, what sort of a check am I going to have
upon you?" Browne next inquired. "How am I to know that you won't take
the money and clear out?"

"You've got to risk that," said MacAndrew calmly. "I see no other way
out of it. You must trust me absolutely; if you don't think you can,
say so, and I'll have nothing whatever to do with it. I won't make you
any promises, because that's not my way; but I fancy when the business
is finished you'll be satisfied."

"I hope so," returned Browne, with a smile. "But can you give me no
sort of guarantee at all?"

"I don't see that I can," muttered MacAndrew. "In cases like this a
guarantee is a thing which would be a very unmarketable commodity. In
other words, we don't keep them in stock."

"It's to be a case of my putting my money in the slot, then, and you do
the rest?"

"As the Yankees say," said the other, "I reckon that is so. No, Mr.
Browne, I'm very much afraid you must rest content with my bare word.
If you think I'm straight enough to pull you through, try me; if not,
as I said just now, have nothing more to do with me. I cannot speak
fairer than that, I think, and I shall now leave it to you to decide."

"Well, I must see your plan," continued Browne. "When I have done that
it is just possible that I may see my way to undertaking the business."

"The plan, then, by all means," replied the other, and, as he did so,
he thrust his hand into his pocket and drew out an envelope, which he
handed to Browne. "Here it is. I have roughly sketched it all out for
you. You had better read it when you are alone in your cabin, and
after you have got it by heart be sure to burn it carefully. I wrote
it down in case I should not be able to see you, and also fearing, even
if I did have speech with you, I might not be able to say what I wanted
to, without being overheard. I will come off at daybreak to-morrow
morning for your answer. In the meantime you can think it over. Will
that suit you?"

"Admirably," said Browne. "I will let you know my decision then
without fail."

"In that case, good-night."

"Goo